Households urged to ditch washing lines for drying clothes from May | UK | News

Households in the UK are being urged to use clotheslines to dry clothes from May to protect against hay fever.

May is the last month of the spring season and as we enter the summer season, temperatures begin to warm up noticeably this month. But May isn’t just the start of sunny climates, it’s also the start of grass pollen season in the UK, the most common pollen allergen affecting most hay fever sufferers. The season runs from mid-May to July and has two distinct peaks; The first usually occurs in early June, followed by the second in early July. The release of grass pollen coincides with the tree pollen season, which runs from late March to mid-May, so both species will be in the air this month, which can wreak havoc on those with hay fever.

The amount of pollen in the air depends largely on weather conditions; higher temperatures cause more pollen to be produced, which means symptoms are more likely to be triggered; This causes sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, headaches and fatigue.

Unfortunately there is no cure for hay fever, so it is best managed with preventative measures, including putting clotheslines out to dry outdoors.

Professor Helen A Brough, Professor of Pediatric Allergy, explained how to survive hay fever season in her advice published in April last year: “Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen, causing symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itching and watery eyes. “It occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies pollen as harmful, triggering inflammation in the nose and eyes.

“Grass pollen is the most common trigger. Tree pollen causes symptoms from February to May, while weeds affect patients from April to September. Mold spores peak in September and October but can affect people year-round. To relieve nighttime symptoms, it is recommended that you:

• Keep bedroom windows and doors closed, especially at dusk and dawn.
• Do not dry bedding or clothing outdoors if pollen counts are high.
• Use saline nasal rinses to clear allergens.
• Use antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays regularly (ideally before pollen season starts) using the right technique!

Pollen is sticky and can stick to your clothes, hair, and skin when you’re outside; So if you leave your laundry to dry outside for several hours, you can bring pollen back into your home and make your symptoms worse. Instead, it is recommended to hang clothes to dry indoors when pollen levels are high, as this helps minimize symptoms.

Vitality Chief Medical Officer Dr Harpreet Sarna told The Express: “Avoid hanging your laundry outside as this causes pollen to stick to your clothes and cause a reaction when you wear them.

“If you need to dry your laundry outside, avoid the morning and evening hours because the pollen count is at its highest during the day. Drying your laundry indoors will prevent pollen from sticking to your clothes.”

If you want to air your laundry outside for a short time, it’s best to avoid times when pollen counts are high or when you’re cutting the grass; because this can cause pollen to flow back into your home.

Smol sustainable cleaning expert Catherine Green told The Express: “For those suffering from hay fever, the simple act of drying clothes outside can lead to an unwelcome complication. Airborne pollen easily settles into fabrics, sticks invisibly and travels indoors, affecting comfort throughout the day. And it’s not just limited to clothing. Every time we sit, lie down or even scrub a surface, tiny bits can end up on sofas, bedding and cushions.”

“But that doesn’t mean you should give up line drying altogether. A few small changes can make a big difference. Time your line dries: Pollen counts tend to peak in the early morning and evening. Drying clothes in the afternoon or early afternoon, when levels can drop briefly, can help reduce the amount that settles on fabrics.

“Be selective: On days when pollen counts are very high, it may make more sense to dry bedding and clothes indoors. Give it a shake: A quick shake before bringing laundry indoors can help remove pollen. “With a little forward thinking, you can maintain the benefits of outdoor drying without bringing the worst of hay fever indoors.”