For those dreading spending the weekend complaining about sneezing and sore eyes, we talked to the experts on how to ‘pollen protect’ your home and minimize your indoor pollen exposure, with tips on cleaning, skin care and even pet care.
Start to sneeze a little? According to the Met Office, the pollen season in the UK usually runs from March to November, so the amount of pollen will increase in the coming months.
While outdoors we expect to need plenty of wipes and antihistamines, being indoors doesn’t necessarily mean a sneeze-free zone. That’s why we spoke to interior, skin care and pet experts to offer some helpful tips on how to reduce pesky pollen in our homes and prevent symptoms.
Read on to find out how to make your pillow as pollen-free as possible…
1. Keep windows and doors closed
As the weather gets warmer every day, it can be tempting to open all the windows and doors in the house to cool off. While this may seem like a mild relief during daylight hours, it can be dangerous for those with hay fever. The more windows open, the more pollen will get into the room and be covered by it.
Adam Pawson, head of digital at Safestyle, said: “Keeping windows and doors closed is one of the easiest and most effective ways to minimize the amount of pollen entering your home. If you need to open your windows, try doing it at night when pollen levels are much lower, and close them again as soon as you wake up.”
2. Increase the frequency of light cleaning
Helen O’Connor, product manager at 247 Blinds, also advises regularly dusting blinds during peak pollen season. She said: “Ideally, you should clean your blinds once a month to get rid of any dust or pollen that may be left on the surface. If you have roller blinds or Roman blinds, just give them a gentle vacuum once a month.
“Venetian blinds or plantation blinds require a more thorough cleaning. Wipe down each plank with a damp cloth and a little dishwashing liquid, then quickly dust off to make sure they are free of pollen!”
3. Watch your laundry
Washing bedding is essential at any time of the year, but it is especially important during the spring months. Washing your bedding once a week will help reduce the amount of pollen stuck to your bedding, as well as reduce the amount of sweat caused by increasingly warm nights.
Lucy Ackroyd, head of design at Christy, advises: “Choose cool bedding made from a blend of hypoallergenic hollow fiber and microfiber to minimize dust mite buildup.
“To eliminate allergens, wash sheets in hot water at least once a week. If you suffer from severe night sweats due to hay fever or allergies, change your sheets at least twice a week to keep the fabric clean and fresh.”
It’s also important to wash and change clothes regularly after a long day of lounging outdoors - you don’t want that pollen coming home with you!
4. Take care of your mattress
Suffering from sneezing filled with drowsiness? Keeping your bedroom clean and tidy always helps improve our sleep habits, but when it comes to fighting hay fever, it can really make all the difference. Your mattress can be home to a range of bacteria and dust mites that can really trigger your allergies.
Bed specialist Time4Sleep CEO Jonathan Warren said: “If you want to reduce allergic reactions in your home, choosing the right mattress is key. The insides of coil spring mattresses can be home to dust mites, as well as skin cells and mold, which can cause allergies.
“It’s better to choose a mattress with a hard core, like memory foam or latex, so there’s less room for allergens to hide!”
5. Remove pollen from the skin
While you can change your clothes when you get home, it’s equally important to remove any traces of pollen from your skin.
Mia Moseley-Smith, Face the Future skincare expert, advises: “If you’re struggling with seasonal allergies, it’s important to clear your skin as soon as possible to minimize symptoms.
“If you use cosmetics or sunscreen, you should double cleanse, starting with a micellar cleansing water to initially remove most makeup and sunscreen from your skin, and then using a gentle cream or gel cleanser to completely unclog your pores.” mud. by misting your face with a moisturizing spray to cool your skin and lock in moisture with a fragrance-free moisturizer.”
6. Brush your pet’s coat daily
If you also have a furry friend or two in your home, you may find that your symptoms do not decrease even when you are inside.
Katherine George, animal welfare writer at Animal Friends Insurance, said: “Because dogs often go outside, they tend to bring in pollen that sticks to their fur. This means brushing your dog thoroughly daily or even twice a day to help you deal with the symptoms of hay fever.
“In addition, few people know that dogs themselves can suffer from seasonal allergies and actually have the same symptoms that we do, including sneezing and watery eyes. So brushing your dog regularly will not only help you, it will also reduce your pets exposure to pollen.”