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

Households across the UK are being urged to ditch using washing lines to dry clothes from May to protect against hay fever.

May is the final month of the spring season and as it leads us into summer, temperatures start to become noticeably warmer this month. But May isn’t just the start of sunnier climes, it’s also the start of the UK’s grass pollen season which is the most common pollen allergen, affecting the majority of hay fever sufferers. The season runs from around mid-May until July and has two distinct peaks, with the first usually occurring in early June followed by a second in early July. The release of grass pollen overlaps with tree pollen season, which runs from late March to mid-May, so both types will be in the air this month which may wreak havoc for those with hay fever.

The amount of pollen in the air is very much dependent on weather conditions, with warmer temperatures causing more pollen to be produced which means symptoms are more likely to be triggered, resulting in sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery eyes, headaches and tiredness.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for hay fever so it’s best managed through preventative measures, including ditching washing lines for drying clothes outdoors.

Explaining how to survive hay fever season in advice issued in April last year, Professor Helen A Brough, Professor of Paediatric Allergy, said: “Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny or blocked 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 pollens cause symptoms from February to May, while weeds affect sufferers from April to September. Mould spores peak around September and October but may affect people throughout the year. To ease night-time symptoms, it is recommended that you:

• Keep bedroom windows and doors shut, especially at dusk and dawn.
• Don’t dry bedding or clothes outdoors if the pollen count is high.
• Use saline nasal rinses to clear allergens.
• Regularly use antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays (ideally before pollen season starts), using the correct technique!”

Pollen is sticky and can cling to your clothes, hair and skin when outdoors, so if you leave your washing to dry outside for several hours you can end up bringing pollen back into your home and make your symptoms worse. Instead, it’s advised that clothes are hung up to dry indoors when pollen levels are high, as this helps to minimise symptoms.

Dr Harpreet Sarna, Chief Medical Officer at Vitality, told The Express: “Avoid hanging your washing outside as this will allow pollen to stick to your clothes and may cause a reaction when you wear them.

“If you need to dry your clothes outside, avoid morning and evenings as this is when the pollen count is at its highest during the day. Drying your clothes inside will prevent pollen from sticking to your clothes.”

If you do want to air your washing outside for a short period, it is best to avoid times when the pollen count is high or when cutting the grass, as this can bring pollen back into your home.

Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol, told The Express: “For those who suffer from hayfever, the simple act of drying clothes outside can introduce an unwelcome complication. Pollen drifting through the air settles easily into fabrics, clinging invisibly and travelling indoors, where it can affect comfort throughout the day. And it doesn’t stop at clothing. Every time we sit, lie down, or even brush past a surface, tiny fragments can transfer onto sofas, bedding, and cushions.

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

“Be selective: On very high pollen days, it may be more sensible to dry bedding and clothes indoors. Give things a shake: A quick shake before bringing laundry inside can help remove pollen. With a bit of thinking ahead, you can keep the benefits of outdoor drying without bringing the worst of hay fever indoors.”