Expert reveals why you SHOULDN’T dry clothes outside during heatwave,
Hanging out the washing is a chore that many Brits dread – and now it turns out you’ve probably been doing it wrong.
A home cleaning expert has urged Brits not to hang their clothes outside during the heatwave.
With parts of the UK set to hit 32°C this week, this advice might come as a surprise to many.
However, Nigel Bearman, home cleaning expert and founder of Daily Poppins, warned that pollen levels are also set to skyrocket over the next few days.
This could prove particularly problematic for hay fever sufferers.
‘Hanging your clothes, bedding or towels outside on high pollen days is a recipe for itchy eyes and a stuffy nose,’ Mr Bearman explained.
‘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, pollen levels are ‘very high’ across the south of England and Wales today.
By tomorrow, Northern Ireland and the north of England will also have ‘very high’ levels. And by Friday, almost the whole UK will be plagued with ‘very high’ levels of pollen.
Most hay fever sufferers know to stock up on antihistamines and to stay inside during these conditions.
However, you might not be aware that it’s also best to keep your clothes indoors during these so-called ‘pollen bombs’.
Mr Bearman explained that laundry fibres – especially cotton, linen and towels – trap pollen easily.
And even when you take your washing inside, the pollen can linger for hours – aggravating symptoms like itchy eyes, blocked nose and sneezing.
‘On high pollen days, I always recommend drying your clothes indoors, ideally near a window or with decent airflow,’ he advised.
‘If you’re short on space, use a collapsible drying rack in a well-ventilated room.’
The Met Office pollen forecast will come as no surprise to many Londoners, who have complained of high pollen levels for weeks.
On social media, residents have complained of tight chests, red eyes and brain fog as they walked through the parks.
In a video posted to TikTok, one user said: ‘I felt like I had literal shards of pollen going into my eyes.
‘Please tell me I’m not the only one because that was scary and I need to know how to prepare for the rest of summer if it’s going to be like this.’
Conditions have been so bad that even those who normally don’t suffer from hay fever say they have been affected.
One commenter wrote: ‘I thought it was just me. I’ve never had an issue with hay fever until this weekend.’
Piers Morgan was one of those affected by the pollen bomb, tweeting: ‘Anyone else got shocking hay fever in London today?
‘Even trusty Fexofenadine barely touching the wheezing, sneezy, fog-brained sides.’
