Warning Issued to Anyone Hanging Towels and Bed Sheets Outside

Drying laundry outside feels like one of the easiest wins of warm weather: no tumble dryer, no extra heat indoors, and fresh-smelling towels and sheets. But for people with hay fever or pollen sensitivity, that simple habit can quietly bring the problem straight into the bedroom.

The warning is not that outdoor drying is dangerous for everyone. It is that towels, bed sheets and other soft fabrics can collect pollen while they hang outside, especially on high-pollen days. The Met Office specifically advises people with hay fever to avoid drying washing outdoors when the pollen count is high or when grass is being cut, because it can bring pollen into the home.