New Zealand’s pollen season lasts approximately 34 weeks and varies in timing each year. Traditionally it begins in July or August with the Pinus season and continues into August/September with deciduous trees like oaks, elm, and birches.
If you or anyone in your family suffers from pollen allergies, then this is a season you could likely do without!
The good news is, with management, you can eliminate the pollen build-up in and around your home and, hopefully, reduce your reliance on allergy medication.
Cleaning pollen out of your house
Pollen can be tricky to remove from your home entirely, especially if it is already circulating through your HVAC system. Pollen particles are often so small that standard household filters cannot always trap them. If you have realised that pollen is being tracked into your house, it is time for a major spring clean!
Be thorough Pollen can settle anywhere. The best way to remove it is to vacuum your entire house thoroughly. We recommend you vacuum once or twice a week to minimise the build-up during the pollen season.
Target the right areas Understand how pollen gets into your house. Contain sources and try to remove pollen as quickly as possible.
Use the latest filters and technology Some vacuum cleaners and air filtration systems help filter out pollen and other small allergens. Cleaning pollen may be easier with the support of this technology.
Control pollen entry points
Pollen enters your house when outside air travel inside. Open doors and windows provide simple access for its transit. If you are in the habit of leaving windows and doors open for fresh air, you may wish to reconsider this approach during the pollen season.
If, like us, you can’t resist throwing everything open to freshen up your home, try to reserve this activity for pre-sunrise or early evening. Be sure to close everything up before the sun is shining, as this is when the pollen release is at its highest concentration level.
Another simple tip is to ensure that all insulation and vents have been installed correctly.
Use a pollen index
Did you know you can access a pollen forecast for your local area? These reports provide real-time data on the pollen count in the air and expected pollen count throughout that day.
Grab your local report here.
Cleaning the pollen build-up from your home’s exterior
A house cleaning brush and high-pressure hose or water-blaster are all you need to tackle the task of removing pollen. For thicker layers left to sit for a while, you may need to apply a small amount of elbow grease too!
Take practical precautions
When cleaning pollen, inside or out, you may want to wear a mask – cleaning stirs latent pollen into the air. Additionally, we suggest wearing protective goggles or sunglasses to prevent pollen from blowing into your eyes and invoking an allergic reaction.