As much of the U.S. bakes under scorching summer temperatures, hanging your laundry outside to dry is an energy-saving no-brainer. But experts are warning Americans to think twice, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies.
During heatwaves, pollen levels often spike, particularly in the South, Midwest, and parts of the Northeast. According to cleaning expert Nigel Bearman, letting laundry dry outdoors on high-pollen days can turn your freshly washed clothes into triggers for allergies. “Wet laundry acts like a sponge,” Bearman explains. “It absorbs airborne pollen as it dries, which gets trapped deep in the fabric.”
This means your clean sheets, towels, and clothing could be coated in pollen particles, leading to itchy eyes, sneezing, and allergy flare-ups inside your own home. Cotton, linen, and terry cloth are especially prone to trapping allergens.
According to the National Allergy Bureau, pollen counts often increase significantly during hot, dry periods of weather, particularly in urban areas where air circulation is limited. Even people who don’t normally struggle with hay fever have reported symptoms during these “pollen bomb” events.
The solution? Dry your laundry indoors on high-pollen days. Use a collapsible drying rack in a well-ventilated room or near a fan or filtered window. If you’re short on space, hang smaller items in your bathroom while the exhaust fan is on.
Allergy experts also recommend checking local pollen forecasts (via apps like Pollen.com or your local weather station) before making decisions about outdoor activities, such as drying, to minimize exposure to pollen.
So while sunshine may save you electricity, it could also coat your laundry in microscopic allergens. If you’ve been feeling congested or sneezy lately, the culprit might just be hanging on your clothesline.
