People are being warned to think twice before hanging their clothes outside to dry, as pollen can stick to fabrics and cause allergic reactions. Gardener José María, speaking on a Spanish radio programme, highlighted that many families struggle with pollen because they hang sheets and towels outside, where pollen attaches to them.
According to the Met Office, tree pollen affects around 25% of people from late March to mid-May. Grass pollen, which peaks twice, runs from mid-May to July, while weed pollen spans from late June to September. The season varies across the UK, with northern areas experiencing a later start and lower counts, and rural areas having higher counts than urban or coastal zones.
Allergy specialist Deborah Grayson explained that fabrics act as a pollen net, especially heavier weaves like towels or bed linen. Owena Cleary, Director of CPR First Aid Training, advised against drying clothes outdoors when the pollen count is high, as fabric collects pollen that is then brought indoors. She recommended washing outdoor clothes immediately and changing bedding at least once weekly at high temperatures.
Allergist Juan José Zapata advised ventilating homes for 10 to 15 minutes in the middle of the day when pollen levels are highest, and warned that leaving clothes outside is a bad idea because fabrics act as a magnet for pollen. He also recommended wearing sunglasses as a physical barrier and using FFP2 masks or specific anti-pollen masks for effective filtration.
