Hanging the washing out to dry on the line on a beautiful spring day is something homeowners have looked forward to for months. There’s no beating the smell of line-dried laundry, which will always trump a bundle that has been tumble dried or hung over an indoor dryer.
But hay fever sufferers have been warned against putting their washing out to dry at certain times as it can make their symptoms worse. Hay fever season starts in the UK from March and can last until September depending on the type of pollen and where you live.
Tree pollen season usually kicks off in March until May and it’s followed by grass pollen season from May until July. Sufferers can struggle with sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and even headaches, earaches as well as coughing and tiredness depending on how they react to the pollen.
But for many of the millions of Brits who suffer from the condition each year, they will not realise that their clothing can be a culprit in flare-ups, as pollen can cling to the material.
Rebecca Samuels, lifestyle buyer at Suit Direct, has urged sufferers to avoid hanging washing outside if possible but to definitely avoid doing it between 6am and 10am.
She said: “If you need to hang your washing outside, it’s important to be mindful of certain times of day during spring and summer when pollen levels are typically at their highest.
“The early morning, between 6am and 10am, is when pollen counts are usually at their peak, so it’s best to avoid hanging clothes out during this period.”
And she said that pollen levels will typically rise again from 4pm until 7pm, so avoid line-drying clothes outside between these hours too. She added: “This is particularly important on windy days, when the wind can carry large amounts of pollen into the air and onto your laundry, as well as on dry, sunny days, when pollen remains suspended in the air, increasing the likelihood of it settling on your clothes.
Pollen is naturally small and rough and can easily land on and stick to clothing as it is carried through the air. Once it’s on your clothes, pollen can cling to fibres for hours or even days, depending on the fabric type –natural materials such as wool, cotton, and linen tend to trap pollen more than synthetic fabrics as they tend to have a rougher texture which can catch and hold onto pollen grains more easily.
Without the right laundry routine, pollen can remain trapped in clothing fibres and continue to trigger hay fever symptoms each time you come into contact with that garment.
Top tips to reduce pollen on clothing
Avoid drying your clothing outdoors, or near an open window
Whilst the spring and summer months offer up the perfect opportunity for line-dried washing, if you have hay fever, it’s best to avoid drying your clothing outdoors as pollen can easily settle on your garments. During high pollen season, hanging your clothing outside can increase the risk of them becoming a magnet for allergens, which can trigger or worsen hay fever symptoms.
Additionally, if you’re drying your clothes indoors on a clothes horse, it’s important to keep the windows closed to prevent pollen from being swept inside by the wind. Instead, consider using a dehumidifier to help speed up the drying process without allowing allergens to enter your home. By doing so, you create a controlled environment that minimizes the risk of bringing pollen indoors, helping you keep your clothes—and your home—pollen-free.
Always change out of clothes when returning home.
If you’re a hay fever sufferer or live with someone who is prone to hay fever, it’s best to change out of your outdoor clothes as soon as you return home to prevent bringing pollen particles indoors. This simple step will reduce the risk of transferring allergens to other areas of your home, such as to furniture or textiles where they can cling and continue to cause irritation.
A top tip before changing is to use a sticky lint roller on your clothes to remove as much pollen as possible, not only does this help to reduce the pollen spreading around, but it also makes it much easier to wash your clothes later, as it will have already been loosened from the fibres.
Furthermore, you will likely have pollen on your hair and skin, so make sure to shower before changing into your indoor clothing to prevent transferring particles.
How to wash pollen out of clothes and prevent pollen
Before washing, it’s key to have removed as much pollen as possible to minimise the amount that gets embedded into the fabric during washing. To do this, either gently shake your clothing outside, or use a sticky lint roller to remove as much pollen as possible.
Before popping your laundry into the washing machine, give your clothes a quick rinse with cold water – this will help to further remove pollen stuck in the fabric fibres. It’s important to note, you should avoid using hot water when treating clothes throughout high-pollen months, as it can lead to the pollen settling into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
Set your washing machine to a cold-water cycle to avoid setting the pollen, the water is gentle on fabrics and will help to lift the pollen. It’s also a good idea to ditch the fabric softener throughout hay fever months as the fragrances in the product can potentially worsen symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes. Instead, opt for hypoallergenic laundry products that are free from fragrances, as they’ll help – alternatively, white vinegar can also be used as a natural fabric softener and is also great for lifting stains out of heavily soiled fabrics.