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Met Office and Experts Urge Against Drying Laundry Outdoors as Pollen Peaks

Rising pollen in the late‑May warm spell can cling to outdoor laundry and worsen hay‑fever symptoms.

Overview

  • The Met Office forecast on Monday shows high to very high pollen for May 25–26 across much of south and central England and Wales.
  • Home cleaning expert Nigel Bearman warns that wet laundry soaks up pollen like a sponge and that fibres in cotton, linen and towels trap pollen for hours.
  • Experts recommend drying clothes indoors near a window or on a well‑ventilated drying rack to reduce the risk of bringing pollen into the home.
  • Scotland is forecast to see lower pollen levels over the same period, but people who are highly sensitive can still react to outdoor laundry on warm, breezy days.
  • The short warm spell could raise hay‑fever flare‑ups at home and prompt households to change laundry routines for the rest of the week.