Turns out hanging clean laundry outside on hot days can actually make allergy symptoms worse. Nigel Birman, a British cleaning expert, warns against doing it.
High temperatures make plants release more pollen, which spreads farther and worsens allergy symptoms. Heat also dries out mucous membranes, making people more sensitive to allergens.
Many countries are in an unusual heatwave, the Daily Mail reports. Birman says pollen levels are rising sharply, which could be especially bad for people with hay fever.
Hay fever (pollinosis) is an allergic reaction that happens when the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes come into contact with environmental allergens. It most often shows up as nasal symptoms, including congestion. Symptoms peak in spring and summer when trees and grasses bloom.
‘Hanging clothes, bed linens, or towels outside on days with high pollen counts is directly linked to itchy eyes and nasal congestion,’ Birman noted.
Wet laundry acts like a sponge and absorbs pollen. The pollen settles into fibers and clings to fabric as it dries. Then it ends up in beds, closets, and on skin. ‘It’s no surprise people experience allergy flare-ups even at home,’ he said.
Birman explained that laundry fibers, especially cotton and linen, trap pollen easily. Even if you bring laundry indoors, pollen can linger for several hours and intensify symptoms.
Most hay fever sufferers know that on these uncomfortable days, stocking up on antihistamines and staying indoors helps. It’s better to dry laundry inside during these so-called ‘pollen bombs.’
He advised hanging washed items near a window or in any spot with good air circulation. ‘If space is limited, use a collapsible drying rack indoors,’ he suggested.
Meteorologists say high pollen levels won’t surprise many people; complaints about allergy flare-ups have been common for weeks. Residents in several countries have been sharing on social media about chest tightness, red eyes, and brain fog during park walks.
Conditions are so severe that even people who normally don’t suffer from hay fever say it’s caught up with them.
