Experts have warned people they could risk aggravating a specific health condition if they’re tempted to hang their clothes outside to dry during the heatwave this week
Brits have been warned to resist the urge to dry their washing outside during the heatwave – with 32C temperatures bringing health risks for those who decide to take the plunge.
Temperatures hit a searing 31C in the southeast this afternoon, leaving hundreds of thousands of people at the mercy of severe heat for hours on end. With the sky-high mercury set to persist into the weekend and even increase, people will be looking for a silver lining to the oppressive heat, with quick and energy efficient clothes drying being one of few benefits. But select people have been warned against doing so, as they risk exacerbating an already debilitating condition.
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Home cleaning experts have warned that hayfever sufferers risk making their symptoms much worse if they hang their clothes outsie as pollen count surges.
Nigel Bearman, home cleaning expert and founder of Daily Poppins, told the Manchester Evening News that this is a “recipe for itchy eyes and a stuffy nose. He said: “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. It’s no wonder so many people have allergy flare-ups even in their own homes.”
According to the Met Office, high temperatures play an important role in the release of pollen, with hotter days bringing on higher counts. Those most at risk aren’t those in the hottest areas, however, as pollen is known to decrease if the temperatures reach the recent unbearable highs.
The service explains that grass pollen is most active between 18C to 28C when the day is dry and winds are gentle, which is how recent conditions have played out.
When the mercury rises beyond the 28C threshold, pollen levels of all kinds decrease, and the supply can even run out altogether if warm days chain together as they have this week. When clouds of pollen are being kicked into the air, clothes are known to absorb particles.
Fibres tend to trap pollen quite easily, especially fabrics like cotton, linen or towels, with the clothes lines, balconies and garden racks people use to dry their clothes being well-exposed to airborne particles.
Once the pollen has stuck to people’s clothes, it can create hell for hay fever sufferers, who struggle to escape the source of their allergies for hours after exposure.