Despite the rising temperatures and warmer conditions, Brits have been advised against hanging their laundry to dry outside, particularly if anyone in their household suffers from allergies
A sizzling heatwave is on the horizon for Brits this month, with temperatures poised to exceed 30C for the first time this year.
With that in mind, many people will rejoice at the chance to haul their wet washing outside and let it dry naturally. Not only does it smell fresher, but it’s far more economical than chucking it all in the tumble dryer. However, experts have warned against this, particularly if you have hay fever, as it could lead to worsened symptoms including itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing.
Pollen can stick to everything from your hair and clothes to your pets, and once it makes its way inside your home it can settle on sofas, carpets, and bedding. Allergy expert, Deborah Grayson, working with appliance brand Hisense, explained: “When you hang clothes up outside during high pollen season, they act as a pollen net as fabrics can trap microscopic particles easily, especially in heavier weaves like towels or bed linen.”
She added: “When you bring your laundry inside, you bring those allergens straight into your living space and for sensitive individuals, that’s enough to trigger hours – if not days – of dreaded symptoms.”
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But how can we combat this? Grayson said that while drying clothes and bedding in a tumble dryer can cost more in electricity than hanging your clothes outside. “For someone battling allergies, the trade off isn’t always worth it”. However, if you do want to dry your clothes outside, you should hang them out earlier in the day.
Grayson explained: “Pollen counts rise in the morning, peaking at midday and then start to fall. Drying clothes early in the morning and not leaving them out all day can be really helpful.”
For some people, their hay fever is worse this year than in previous seasons. Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp told us that this was due to a “perfect storm of conditions” that involved a mild winter followed by a sudden, warm spring leading to high tree pollen levels “being released all at once”.
She added: “In addition, longer growing seasons due to climate change, as well as increased air pollution, can make pollen more potent and increase allergic reactions.”
Dr Misra-Sharp recommended checking the daily pollen forecast on the Met Office website and keeping windows closed when the pollen levels are particularly high. She also suggested wearing wrap-around sunglasses to reduce eye exposure, and applying a small amount of petroleum jelly around the nostrils to trap pollen particles.
Meanwhile, Dr Helen Evans-Howells, a GP and allergy specialist, echoed the idea of drying laundry indoors. She also suggested showering after being outside, taking antihistamines, and being aware of when high pollen count days occur.
She added: “Hayfever symptoms are at their worst on high pollen count days, windy days and during thunderstorms. During a thunderstorm or a windy day, pollen circulates more and is inhaled, triggering reactions.”