With the return of the sun and rising temperatures, the desire to hang your laundry outside naturally returns. The aroma of fresh washing borne by the breeze appears enticing. However, this idyllic image hides a trap for millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies. So, shouldn’t we dry outside? The answer may surprise you…
The return of spring is not so nice for everybody.
Every year, beginning in March, spring signals the start of a long ordeal for people allergic to pollens. Almost one-third of the French population suffers from hay fever, often known as allergic rhinitis. Sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and chronic weariness make this period everything but relaxing.
From April to September, many forms of pollen are produced: first by trees, then by grasses (from May to July), and last by herbaceous plants till autumn. It suffices to remark that the outdoor air has become a veritable allergy concentration.
Why does drying your laundry outside exacerbate the symptoms?
When you hang your clothes or linens outside to dry, they behave as pollen magnets. The pollen, which is naturally sticky, adheres to the fabric fibres during the hours of exposure.
Pollen can enter your home and settle on your skin, hair, and linens when you return indoors. It is therefore not strange when your symptoms worsen for no apparent reason.
It’s similar to leaving your laundry in the midst of a flowering field during pollen season before returning it to your room.
Good habits to prevent exposure to pollen.
Fortunately, you can take a few basic steps to mitigate the impact. Environmental health specialists offer the following recommendations:
Dry your laundry indoors, in a well-ventilated room, or with a clothes dryer.
When you’re outside, wear sunglasses to keep pollen from getting into your eyes.
Wear a hat or cap to keep pollen out of your hair.
When you come home, wash your hair, change your clothes, and shower to get rid of pollen.
Avoid touching or standing near newly mowed lawns just after mowing.
What about the treatments?
Unfortunately, there is no miraculous cure for hay fever. Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops, on the other hand, can help to ease symptoms. However, prevention remains your most effective ally.
Experts emphasise this point: by making minor changes to specific everyday behaviours, such as drying your laundry, you can significantly improve your quality of life during the dangerous months.
Taking a few easy changes can make a big difference for allergy sufferers. Avoid bringing pollen into your home through your washing! While you can’t control the weather outside, you can safeguard your home to enjoy spring more fully.
5 blunders when using the washing machine that make garments dirtier the more you wash them.
Here are some pitfalls to avoid when using the washing machine.
1.Do not take the garments out to dry immediately after washing.
Many people don’t hang them to dry straight immediately after washing them, but rather leave them for a bit, possibly overnight. After washing, promptly dry the clothes to ensure it is flat and free of bacteria. Because the washed garments are damp, leaving them in the washing machine generates a lot of steam, producing ideal conditions for germs and mould to grow. This not only makes the clothes stink, but it also leaves an unpleasant odour in the washer. As a result, after washing, you should remove the garment to dry immediately; do not leave it in the washing machine for too long.
2.Immediately after washing, close the washing machine lid and remove the clothing.
Experts recommend that after taking the clothing from the washing machine, you leave the lid open for about 2-3 hours before shutting it again, especially with horizontal drum washing machines (front doors). The reason for this is that front-loading washing machines include a barrier and a rubber gasket to protect water from leaking out while in operation. However, because of this feature, any residual steam and moisture inside the washing machine after the cycle is completed will be unable to evaporate and escape. This promotes the growth and development of bacteria and mould, making our clothes even dirtier. Furthermore, to keep dust out of the washing machine, do not leave the lid open for a lengthy period of time. Furthermore, for horizontal drum washing machines, opening the lid for an extended period of time will limit the passage, causing damage to the connection between the door and the body of the washing machine.
3.Wash your pants in the washing machine.
90% of people do wash their pants in a machine, although this is a poor habit. To remove stains, hand wash and scrub the pants thoroughly. To prevent bacteria from spreading, wash in warm water and avoid washing with other garments. To disinfect, hang it to dry in a cool place or out in the sun.
4.Wash your bedding in cold water.
Dust mites flourish in blankets, bed linens, and pillowcases. Not only that, but they are prone to yellow stains created by dead cells and sweat produced by the body. Although washing with cold water saves energy, it does not effectively remove yellow stains or kill bacteria. It is best to wash them with hot water every two weeks, but be careful not to use too much to avoid deforming the material.
5.Cleaning the Washing Machine
There are small gaps and holes between the washing drum and the external shell of the washing machine that allow water to enter and exit. During the washing process, dirt will attach to the interior of the washing machine or the corners of the drain pipe via these small gaps and pores, causing bacteria to grow.
