UK households are being advised against hanging their washing outdoors over the coming days as high pollen levels are expected across much of the country. Following a period of wet and rainy weather, temperatures are set to rise, potentially reaching 32C in some areas, making parts of Britain hotter than Spain. However, for hay fever sufferers, this warm spell may bring discomfort.
High Pollen Levels Predicted
The Met Office forecasts that most of the UK will experience high pollen levels this week, with particularly elevated counts in central and eastern England on Thursday and Friday. Western Scotland and Northern Ireland will see highs of around 19-21C (66-70F) at the start of the week.
Experts warn that hanging laundry outdoors on high pollen days can cause pollen to become trapped in fabric fibers, leading to increased allergy symptoms even indoors. Nigel Bearman, home cleaning expert and founder of Daily Poppins, explained: "Hanging your clothes, bedding or towels outside on high pollen days is a recipe for itchy eyes and a stuffy nose. The wet laundry acts like a sponge, soaking up all the pollen. It settles into the fibres and clings on as the fabric dries, meaning it'll end up in your bed, wardrobe and on your skin."
How Pollen Affects Laundry
Fabrics such as cotton, linen, and towels are particularly prone to trapping pollen when left on washing lines, balconies, or garden drying racks. On warm, breezy days, airborne pollen easily adheres to damp laundry. Once brought indoors, this pollen can continue to trigger hay fever symptoms for hours after initial exposure.
To minimize allergy flare-ups, Nigel recommends drying clothes indoors during high pollen periods. He advises: "On high pollen days, I always recommend drying your clothes indoors, ideally near a window or with decent airflow. If you're short on space, use a collapsible drying rack in a well-ventilated room."
While this adjustment may be inconvenient, experts maintain that it can significantly improve daily life for those with seasonal allergies. The Met Office expects pollen levels to remain high this week and into the following week, so hay fever sufferers should take precautions.
