Hay fever affects more than a quarter of adults in the UK, with cases having trebled over the last two decades. While many rely on antihistamines and keep windows closed when pollen counts rise, one everyday task is an often-overlooked factor in how much pollen circulates inside the home.
Clothes, bedding and towels can carry pollen indoors, trapping tiny particles in their fibres and allowing them to move around the home even after you've come inside. To help households reduce their pollen exposure at home, experts at Beko UK have identified the most common laundry mistakes made during hay fever season and how to avoid them.
Drying laundry outdoors
One common habit is drying clothes, bedding and towels outdoors when pollen counts are elevated. Wet fabric traps airborne particles, and once pollen has settled into fibres as they dry, it travels inside the home with the laundry.
Overfilling the washing machine
Overfilling a washing machine is also a common habit, particularly during busy periods when laundry piles up. However, an overloaded drum prevents clothes from moving freely through the water, which means detergent cannot circulate properly and allergens may not be fully rinsed away.
Lower temperature cycles
Choosing a lower temperature cycle can feel like the right option for energy saving, but it may not be effective enough to remove allergens from heavily exposed items such as bedding and towels.
Infrequent bedding washes
During hay fever season, bedding should ideally be washed weekly. Pollen carried indoors on hair, skin and clothing can build up in sheets and pillowcases overnight, and sleeping in that environment can make symptoms worse.
Dirty washing machine
Pollen and other allergens can accumulate inside a washing machine over time, around the door seal and in the filter, and may be transferred onto clean laundry after each cycle.
Fabric softener
Fabric softener leaves a coating on fabrics and often contains fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin and airways. During hay fever season, households affected by allergies may benefit from switching to a fragrance-free detergent and skipping fabric softener to help minimise potential irritants.
Salah Sun, head of product management, said: "People often assume that clean laundry is pollen-free, but allergens are being carried back into the home."
He added: "Making a few simple changes to your laundry routine during hay fever season can help reduce the amount of pollen circulating around your home. Combined with regular cleaning and the right wash settings, these small adjustments can help create a more comfortable environment for allergy sufferers."
