UK households are being urged to avoid drying their bed sheets outside this week and use indoor drying tricks instead. Although Brits can save on energy bills by avoiding the tumble dryer and using the hot weather to dry laundry, a sleep expert recommends that doing it this week might not be ideal.
Instead, the expert has recommended a series of drying “tricks” that can be used instead to avoid putting it outside on the washing line. The advice comes as pollen levels are expected to be high this week. The Met Office forecasts very high and high pollen counts across the nation for the following days, with temperatures jumping to as high as 26C on Friday and 23C over the weekend.
Hayfever affects one in four people in the UK, and with the allergy bringing symptoms such as stuffy noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes, it can have a real negative impact on day-to-day life.
Now, Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay, has issued a warning regarding the problems that arise with drying bed sheets outside while pollen levels are high.
He said: “With the hot weather, you may be tempted to dry your bedding outdoors; however, on high pollen days, this can cause pollen particles to stick to the fabric, worsening allergy symptoms.
“Instead, I always recommend drying your bedding indoors or using a tumble dryer to keep it pollen-free.”
If you’re worried about your bed sheets taking a while to dry, Martin has the solution.
He added: “I’d recommend washing them first thing in the morning so you can take advantage of warmer temperatures and natural airflow throughout the day.
“Before hanging them up, give your sheets a really good shake helps separate the fibres and speeds up drying.
“Another trick I use is the towel technique: lay your damp sheet flat on a dry towel, roll them up tightly together, and press down to absorb excess moisture before hanging the sheet to finish drying.”
The “simple hacks” will help reduce drying times indoors and ensure that your bedding is fresh and pollen-free. The expert also recommends giving bedding a wash at least once a week to minimise any pollen build-up.