It may seem that the mosquitoes they end with the summer, but the intense rains of the last DANA have left many parts of Spain, as well as other nearby places, plagued again with these insects. He hasn’t had time to save the boats repellent that we used to always carry with us when we thought of taking a night walk, or the mosquito repellents that we placed in the room if we did not have mosquito nets on the windows. But what if, for the latter, adequate sheets were enough? yes, some anti-mosquito sheets.
They are a product manufactured by Happy Fridaya Spanish company, with its factory installed in Alicante, which has been in the textile sector of our country for more than ten years. From the beginning they tried to be innovative, with useful, comfortable and above all sustainable products. But until recently they hadn’t taken a step beyond the simple comfort of soft sheets or a fluffy bedspread.
Its anti-mosquito sheets are advertised as effective and safe, as they meet all the recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding insect repellents. But do they really work? I have had the opportunity to try them and this is what I can say about it.
How do anti-mosquito sheets work?
Before I talk about my experience with MosQuit anti-mosquito sheets, I have to tell you how they work.
The tissue is impregnated with a compound patented by the pharmaceutical company Merck, whose active ingredient is IR3535. Along with DEET, this is one of the few substances used in the manufacture of mosquito repellents have shown representative efficacy in scientific studies. The same does not happen with others like the citronellawidely used in candles and children’s bracelets.
The biggest difference between one and the other is that they present toxicity at different doses, with DEET being higher. For this reason, IR3535 is the ingredient that is normally used in repellents that can be used in Small children.
In the case of these anti-mosquito sheets, they are safe for children over 6 months of age and also for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding their babies.
The substances responsible for its effectiveness are impregnated in such a way that they resist up to 100 washes without losing its effectiveness. This is possible thanks to some nanoparticles that accompany the IR3535 and remain adhered to the fabric, so they can be washed normally.
Notably the game does not include bottom sheet (sold separately), but that is not a problem, since the cover sheet is the one that would serve as a shield against mosquitoes. Yes, it includes pillowcases.
a personal experience
From Happyfriday they warned me that, when they were removed from their packaging, the sheets could have a somewhat strong odor, so they advised me wash them. Therefore, that was the first thing I did. This also serves to test its resistance to washing. And it is true that the smell of repellent left in the washing machine. How then could they continue to function?
I have tried them in Almería capital. This summer, as in other places in Spain, the number of mosquitoes in this city has been significant. Sleeping with the windows and blinds open and without a mosquito net has been unfeasible. Therefore, to test them, I have done just that. Sleep with the window open, the blind up and no mosquito net.
I did it for two nights, sometimes uncovered and sometimes covered, and I didn’t wake up with no sting. The next day I put other sheets on and left the window exactly the same. In fact, I did not move it at all in those days, so that the conditions were the same. The first morning she already had five bites on her legs and arms. Does that mean that anti-mosquito sheets work?
By boat soon yes. But it is clear that this is not a representative study on my part, but simply an experience. My experience has been positive. I have continued using them on more occasions and I have not had a single bite. Although at times I cover myself, I have generally slept uncovered. Here I have some doubts, because although the product promises to keep mosquitoes away at a distance of 40 to 50 centimetersit cannot be ruled out that, when we are on top of the anti-mosquito sheets, the carbon dioxide, the heat and the smell that we give off eclipse for a moment that of the repellent.
In any case, without being definitive, as with a scientific investigation, I do believe that I can recommend these sheets. To me, based on my experience, I have done very well. And they will be even more useful in colder places, where you can sleep with the sheet on top all night.
the place matters
It should be noted that I have used anti-mosquito sheets in Spain, where in principle there are no mosquito-borne diseases. If so, I would not put all my trust in the anti-mosquito sheets. They could be one more measure of the largest possible set of tools, aimed at minimize risk.
But, for a situation like mine, at least with the first tests that I have been able to carry out, it seems that the presence of this substance, close to the skin, can be effective.