As hay fever season peaks, many of us rely on antihistamines, keep the windows closed and avoid spending time outdoors when pollen counts are high. But there's one common household feature that often goes unnoticed – your flooring.
‘At this time of year, pollen counts are at their peak, putting millions of hay fever sufferers at risk of worsening symptoms both outside and inside the home,’ explains Owen Chenery, flooring expert at Floor Giants. ‘Pollen can enter the home far more easily than many people realise. It can be tracked in on shoes, transferred from clothing, brought in by pets, or blown through open windows during high-pollen periods.’
Here's why your flooring could be making hay fever symptoms worse, and the simple steps you can take to reduce pollen indoors.
Why your floors could be making hay fever worse
Many people assume they're safe from pollen once they're indoors. In reality, allergens can easily make their way inside and settle throughout the home.
‘Once pollen gets inside the home, flooring can play a significant role in how long these allergens linger,’ says Owen. ‘In particular, carpets and rugs can trap pollen and dust in their fibres, meaning they can continue to affect indoor air quality, even after the initial exposure has passed.’
Bedrooms and living rooms are particularly vulnerable because they're where we spend the most time, while hallways can become pollen hotspots as shoes repeatedly track allergens through the home.
How to 'de-hay' your floors and reduce pollen indoors
Want to reduce the amount of pollen inside your home? Owen shares the simple steps that can help minimise indoor allergens on flooring.
- Remove shoes at the door – ‘Reducing the amount of pollen trapped in your home starts with limiting how much is brought indoors in the first place. For this reason, I recommend removing outdoor shoes when entering the home to reduce the risk of tracking pollen onto the floors.’
- Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter – ‘It's crucial to regularly vacuum the home, especially in carpeted areas or in homes with pets. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can help capture finer particles such as pollen, dust and pet dander, rather than simply disturbing them and pushing them back into the air.’
Shark Lift-Away Anti-Allergen Vacuum Cleaner
Shark Lift-Away Anti-Allergen Vacuum Cleaner
- Sweep and mop hard floors often – ‘Any hard floors should be swept and mopped frequently. When cleaning hard floors, it's also important to avoid using too much water, particularly on laminate and vinyl flooring. Excess moisture can seep into joints or edges over time, so a lightly damp mop is usually the safest option for regular cleaning.’
- Wash soft furnishings more frequently – ‘Soft furnishings such as rugs, curtains, pet beds and cushions should be washed much more often during peak hay fever season.’
Why wooden floors are easier to keep clean during hay fever season
While no type of flooring can completely eliminate hay fever triggers, some surfaces make it much easier to remove pollen before it builds up.
‘Wooden floors are a strong option for households that want a cleaner and easier-to-maintain surface during hay fever season,’ says Owen. ‘Unlike carpet, wood flooring does not have deep fibres where pollen, dust and pet dander can become trapped, which makes allergens much easier to remove.’
Solid wood and engineered wood both provide a smooth, sealed surface, meaning pollen is more likely to remain on top rather than becoming embedded. As a result, it can be removed more effectively with regular sweeping, vacuuming and light mopping.
This can be particularly beneficial in high-traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms and kitchens, where pollen is most likely to be tracked in from outside.
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