Brits Urged to Follow This 30-Second Rule as Pollen Levels Soar
With the Met Office issuing very high pollen alerts across much of the UK, and ITV News confirming that 2025 is shaping up to be one of the worst hay fever seasons in years, millions of Brits are waking up each day with streaming eyes, blocked sinuses, and scratchy throats.
Hayfever now affects almost 10 million people in the UK, and as the pollen count spikes again, many are reaching for antihistamines, but ignoring what’s happening inside their own homes.
According to Nigel Bearman, home cleaning expert and founder of Daily Poppins, there’s one overlooked daily habit that could be making your symptoms far worse:
“Forgetting to wipe your windowsills after leaving the windows open all day is one of the biggest mistakes I see,” he says.
“It’s unrealistic to say ‘don’t open your windows’ in summer, but not wiping the sills afterwards is basically inviting pollen to settle and linger in your home.”
The fix is surprisingly simple:
“Just use a damp microfibre cloth once a day. It takes 30 seconds, costs nothing, and can genuinely reduce your hay fever flare-ups indoors.”
Why it works:
Pollen particles settle quickly on smooth surfaces like sills, frames, and blinds, especially when windows are left open during peak times. Once indoors, they get wafted back into the air every time you open or close the window, draw the curtains, or even just walk by.
Wiping them away before they have the chance to spread prevents them from drifting onto other surfaces like bedding, sofas and carpets, which are much harder to clean daily.
More ways to reduce pollen indoors:
While this habit can make a big difference, pollen can still find its way inside, especially on warm, breezy days. Here are a few extra steps Nigel recommends to keep symptoms under control:
- Wash bedding weekly at 60°C. This removes pollen, dust mites, and other allergens that build up overnight.
- Avoid drying laundry outside. As tempting as it is when the sun’s shining, clothes left on the line can pick up pollen and carry it straight into your wardrobe.
- Wipe down pets after walks. If your dog loves rolling in the grass, keep a damp cloth near the door to give their fur and paws a quick wipe before they come inside.
Why now?
With the worst of the pollen season still ahead, and very high levels expected for several more weeks, now’s the time to tweak your routine. These small, simple habits can help hay fever sufferers avoid the worst of the indoor allergy triggers and finally start to breathe a little easier at home.
