Households urged to wash clothes after 8pm from May

Households across the UK are urged to wash their clothes after 8pm from May to protect against hay fever.

Hay fever season is now in full swing and will last until September, so there are still many months ahead for allergy sufferers to be battling symptoms. Tree pollen is currently being released, but grass pollen will begin in May, which is the most common allergen and affects the majority of hay fever sufferers. The grass pollen season typically spans from mid-May until July and features two distinct peaks in early June and early July, according to the Met Office. Amber warnings for ‘high’ pollen levels are forecast for almost the entire UK on Friday (May 1), while red warnings for ‘very high’ levels are in force for the West Midlands, London and South East England, East of England and Wales.

With temperatures gradually heating up and grass pollen season just around the corner, pollen levels will continue to rise over the coming weeks as summer approaches. As such, it’s wise for households to start taking preventative measures now to manage hay fever symptoms, and this includes making a small change to your laundry routine.

Pollen is very sticky and can cling to your clothes and skin, so washing what you’ve been wearing when you get home and then taking a shower is key to preventing allergens from being brought indoors.

Pollen levels are typically highest in the early morning before 10am and in the early evening, from around 4pm to 8pm, so avoiding going outdoors during these times can help minimise your exposure.

In its online advice on protecting against pollen, antihistamine brand Histallay said: “Tracking the pollen count is crucial for managing seasonal allergies effectively. It helps individuals plan their activities and take preventive measures to reduce exposure.

“For those severely affected, understanding the pollen count can improve overall quality of life by reducing the frequency and severity of allergy symptoms.”

It added: “Pollen counts are highest in the early morning (5 AM to 10 AM) and early evening (4 PM to 8 PM). These times correspond to when plants are most actively releasing pollen, and environmental factors, such as warming air currents, facilitate its spread. Closing windows and avoiding outdoor activities during these times can help reduce exposure.”

This is backed up by the NHS King’s College Hospital which says in its guidance that pollen peaks in the early morning and in the evening from 5pm to 8pm “as the pollen in the air descends to nose level with afternoon air-cooling.

Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid the pollen peaks, so a good general rule is to wash your clothes after 8pm, after the second pollen peak, to ensure any allergens that may have clung to you during the day are washed away.

Histallay added: “After spending time outdoors, take a shower and change your clothes to remove any pollen from your hair and skin. This prevents allergens from being carried back indoors.”

Allergy experts also recommend avoiding drying clothes outdoors during hay fever season to avoid bringing pollen back inside, so doing your laundry after 8pm actually works in your favour as you can leave your clothes to dry inside overnight.

Dr Aarthi Sinha, from Church Crescent Clinic, added: “Pollen clings more stubbornly than people expect. After time outdoors, it attaches to hair, skin and clothing fabrics, which means it is easy to carry allergens straight back into the house without realising it.

“Washing your hair after a long spell outside removes what you cannot see. Keeping daytime clothes out of the bedroom and avoiding drying laundry outdoors on high-pollen days are simple adjustments that can lower indoor exposure. None of it is complicated. It just reduces how much pollen you are breathing in overnight.”