Households in England urged not to dry clothes on washing lines from Wednesday | UK | News

Households in England are being urged not to dry clothes on washing lines outdoors from Wednesday as a spike in pollen levels is forecast. The rise in pollen levels coincides with a rise in temperatures this wek, with the Met Office forecasting highs of 28C or above for the south and south east of England by Thursday, possibly reaching 30C by Friday. The national forecaster said the heat will increase from midweek as warmer air from Europe moves into the UK, bringing warm and humid conditions as temperatures are expected to climb above the seasonal average in some areas.

The warmer weather will also bring about a rise in grass pollen levels this week, with “high” amber warnings in force for the whole of England on Wednesday. While the warmer weather from midweek may provide the ideal conditions for drying clothes outdoors, hot temperatures can cause more pollen to be produced and for hay fever sufferers, it means symptoms are more likely to be triggered.

As there’s no cure for hay fever, it’s best managed through preventative measures , which includes making small changes at home – including how you do your laundry.

As pollen is sticky it 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.

To avoid this, it’s advised that hay fever sufferers don’t use outdoor washing lines to dry clothes and instead opt to hang clothes to dry inside when pollen levels are high to minimise exposure to pollen.

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.”

As pollen levels are forecast to be high across all of England from Wednesday, hay fever sufferers are advised to dry clothes indoors from midweek onwards to help minimise symptoms.

Thursday will see a slight drop in pollen for some areas, with “low” and “medium” pollen levels forecast for North East and North West England respectively, but levels are expected to increase again by Friday.

The Met Office forecast shows Friday is expected to be the worst day for grass pollen across England, with the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and South West England all covered by a “high” amber warning, while a red alert for “very high” pollen levels covers the East Midlands, East of England, and London and South East England.

Of course, if drying clothes outdoors in warm weather isn’t completely out of the question if you have hay fever, as being very strategic about the time of day you hang washing out can reduce pollen exposure.

It’s best to avoid times when the pollen count is high, which is generally in the early morning and again in the evening, and when cutting the grass, as this can bring pollen back into your home. It’s also worth giving your clothes a good shake before bringing them back inside to help remove pollen particles.

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.”