Pollen red alert in the UK! The everyday cleaning mistakes that could be worsening your hay fever

It’s official, hay fever season has begun and has kicked off with a bang. The Met Office announced this week that the UK is now on red alert for pollen, with unusually high levels of set to dominate the country over the next week. And for those of us who suffer, we’re already well aware thanks to the endless sneezing and streaming.

So it’s time for us to keep those dreaded symptoms at bay by making sure your home is pollen-proof. ‘Most people think of spring-cleaning as something you do to make your home clean and refreshed, but it also has a real impact on health, especially in hay fever season,’ says Jo Gilliard, CEO of cleaning supply producer Jangro. And she’s right. For many of us, the secret to keeping hay fever manageable lies in the ways we clean.

‘Once pollen gets indoors, it settles everywhere – surfaces, fabrics and floors. If it isn’t cleaned properly, it just keeps circulating around the house and can continue setting off hay fever symptoms. A lot of the time people think they’re cleaning it away, when actually they’re just moving it somewhere else,’ warns Jo. So to make sure we don’t fall into this all too common category of simply redistributing pollen around our homes, I’ve compiled a few essential tips for spring cleaning your home, the hay fever way, as well as info on why this sudden spike has occurred in the first place.

Why are pollen levels so high right now?

The Met Office this week issued a red alert of high pollen levels for most of England. Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland and Wales are also under an alert, with pollen levels due to decrease later in the week. And while it’s normal for hay fever season to kick off in March, thanks to increases in tree pollen, a red alert like this is pretty rare.

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Pollen, much like most natural phenomena, is completely dictated by the weather. ‘Warmer temperatures have been found to alter the vegetation patterns of plants and speed up the growing process. This means plants start to grow and pollinate earlier and continue for longer than previously seen,’ this is according to Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK. She suggested that due to the recent abrupt increase in temperatures following our previous cold snap, a ‘pollen bomb’ effect such as this can be the result.

With parts of the UK experiencing highs of 20°C this week, and London seeing temperatures reaching 24°C (the hottest day of the year so far), having just recovered from blustering Storm Dave – it’s no surprise really that pollen is everywhere right now.

The Met Office has suggested this spike period is expected to last a full week, with levels of birch pollen and ash pollen expected to be very high. ‘These longer pollen seasons result in a sustained increase in circulating airborne pollen particles,’ suggests Amena. ‘Which means longer and higher exposure to pollen, which will all affect hay fever sufferers and ultimately lead to worsening symptoms.’ So we’d better start doing something about it.

Cleaning mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

Dry dusting

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Dusting seems like the first place to start when it comes to banishing pollen, but as it turns out, this instinct could be making things worse. According to CleanTok creator and domestic cleaner Charlotte Stanley, dry dusting is one of the most common mistakes people make. ‘Dry dusting tends to disturb dust and pollen and push it back into the air where it eventually settles somewhere else,’ says Charlotte, who finds a quick dust just reinfects the air with allergens during this season.

As an alternative that actually gets the job done, Charlotte suggests,‘using a damp cloth to trap the particles so you’re actually removing them instead of spreading them around.’

Not cleaning bedding properly

Lots of people know to wash their bedding more regularly during hay fever season, but again often they’re missing a key aggravator beneath the surface- or in this case- beneath the sheets. Pillows and mattresses are primary reservoirs for dust mites and other allergens all year round, but especially during pollen season. If you find you’re struggling to sleep or waking up with particularly severe symptoms in the mornings, this could be a sign that your bedding isn’t clean enough.

To help rid your mattress of pollen, the key is a combination of creating a physical barrier, regular cleaning, and preventing new pollen from entering the bedroom. Regularly vacuum your mattress with a HEPA filter and be sure to use mattress protectors and wash them regularly with the rest of your bedding.

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When it comes to pillows, wash them more often that you already are (at least I hope you are) but always make sure to check the care label first. Most pillows (like down or fibre-fill) can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Make sure to wash two at once for balance. While foam or memory-foam pillows should be spot-cleaned instead. After washing, dry pillows thoroughly on low heat (or air-dry where needed) to prevent mould.

Using harsh cleaning products

It seems logical to assume that if you are sensitive to pollen related allergies, the likelihood is you may be sensitive to other common agitators, such as harsh cleaning products. Yep, the things you’re using to fix the problem, could be creating a whole new one entirely.

‘If you’re already dealing with hay fever, strong fragrances or harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach can irritate the airways even more,’ suggests Jo. ‘Choosing fragrance-free or gentler products can really help make cleaning much more comfortable, especially if you’re already sensitive.’

Instead, try using more sustainable and natural cleaning products. Personally, we love using Purdy & Figg’s counter cleaner or Neat’s anti-bacterial cleaning spray, both smell amazing and the sustainable re-fillable packing feels luxurious and high-quality – with impressive cleaning results to match.

Only vacuuming the rug

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Vacuuming is of course an essential part of clearing pollen, dust and other allergen agitators from our homes. But most people stop at simply the carpets, but this isn’t enough – especially when there’s a red alert afoot.

Pollen is sticky stuff. And it tends to settle on any surface it can get its hands on – especially fabric. It collects in soft furnishings and high-traffic areas, and failing to clean these areas allows allergens to become airborne again. When you’re doing your regular weekly vacuum, make sure you take the time to address other upholstery such as cushions, curtains and sofas. And if you’re really suffering during this peak week, I’d suggest increasing how often you vacuum.

Wearing outdoor clothes inside

One of the biggest contributors to pollen inside our homes, is of course, us. Experts say one of the easiest ways to keep pollen out of your home is to shower and change your clothes as soon as you get in, so you’re not spreading allergens from room to room. It’s also worth leaving coats, shoes and bags by the front door rather than carrying them through the house, contaminating all your (hopefully) freshly cleaned surfaces.

‘You don’t need to completely change how you clean your home,’ reassures Jo. ‘It’s more about understanding where pollen settles and making a few small changes to how you remove it. This can make a real difference for people dealing with hay fever.’

Forgetting the pets

It’s all well and good making sure you’re rid of pollen, but if you’re forgetting to address your furry friends, too, you may as well throw in the towel where hay fever symptoms are concerned. Cats and dogs, and pretty much any other furry pet that goes outside, are magnets for pollen. Their fur traps the particles while they’re outdoors, but then releases it the moment they come inside and make contact with any surfaces or soft furnishings, exacerbating our human symptoms.

To battle this, much to our pets’ chagrin, more regular baths are what’s in order. Along with washing all bedding weekly and wiping paws after walks. If you’re suffering particularly badly, especially during this red alert week, try to avoid having the pets jump up on sofas or bedding. While the cuddles are lovely, the snotty noses and puffy eyes are not.

Best hay fever medicines

Boots Hayfever and Allergy Relief 10mg tablets – Loratadine

Credit: Boots

Boots Allergy Relief 50 microgram Nasal Spray

Credit: Boots

Boots Opticrom Hayfever Eye Drops – 10ml

Credit: Boots