Spring Allergy Preparation: Get Your Home Ready Before Pollen Season

Spring 2026 is approaching, and with it comes pollen season. For the 13 million UK hay fever sufferers, preparation now means fewer symptoms later. This guide shows you how to allergy-proof your home before the first pollen counts arrive.

UK Pollen Season 2026: What to Expect

Based on Met Office forecasts and recent trends, here's the 2026 pollen calendar:

March-April: Tree pollen (birch, oak, ash) - affects 25% of hay fever sufferers
May-July: Grass pollen - affects 95% of hay fever sufferers (peak season)
August-September: Weed pollen (ragweed, nettle) - affects 20% of sufferers

Climate trends show pollen seasons starting 1-2 weeks earlier and lasting longer than a decade ago. Early preparation is essential.

Step 1: Deploy HEPA Air Purifiers

HEPA filters capture 99.97% of pollen particles (10-100 microns). Position purifiers strategically:

Bedroom: Priority #1. Run 24/7 during pollen season. Most symptoms occur at night when pollen settles.
Living room: Run during evening hours when windows are closed
Home office: Reduces daytime symptoms for remote workers

Target 5-6 air changes per hour (ACH) in bedrooms. A DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box (£50-80) achieves this in rooms up to 20m².

Step 2: Seal Your Home Against Pollen

Window and Door Sealing

Apply weatherstripping tape to window frames (£10-20 from B&Q)
Check door sweeps and replace if gaps visible
Consider magnetic secondary glazing for older windows

Ventilation Strategy

Ventilate early morning (before 7am) when pollen counts lowest
Keep windows closed 10am-7pm during peak pollen hours
Use trickle vents with pollen filters if available

Step 3: Create a Pollen-Free Zone

Designate your bedroom as a pollen-free sanctuary:

No outdoor clothes: Change before entering the bedroom
Shower before bed: Removes pollen from hair and skin
Wash bedding weekly: At 60°C to kill dust mites and remove pollen
Keep pets out: Pet fur carries outdoor pollen indoors
HEPA vacuum weekly: Standard vacuums recirculate fine particles

Step 4: Upgrade Your Filters

HVAC Filters

If you have central heating/cooling, upgrade to MERV 13+ filters before March. These capture 85%+ of pollen compared to 20% for standard filters.

Vacuum Filters

Ensure your vacuum has a sealed HEPA filtration system. Bagless vacuums often leak fine particles back into the air.

Step 5: Monitor Pollen Levels

Stay informed with real-time pollen forecasts:

Met Office pollen forecast: 5-day regional predictions
Sign up for alerts: Get notifications when levels spike in your area
Peak hours: Pollen highest 10am-3pm on warm, dry days

Cost-Effective Preparation Checklist

Item	Cost	Impact
DIY air purifier (Corsi-Rosenthal box)	£50-80	High
Window weatherstripping	£15-25	Medium
MERV 13 HVAC filter	£20-40	High
Hypoallergenic bedding covers	£30-50	Medium
HEPA vacuum (if needed)	£100-200	High

When to Start

February is ideal. You want systems in place and running before the first pollen counts. Key dates for 2026:

Now (February): Order and install air purifiers, seal windows
Early March: Begin daily bedroom purifier operation
March 15: Tree pollen typically begins in southern England
May 1: Grass pollen season starts (peak May-June)

The Bottom Line

Studies show proper indoor air filtration reduces hay fever symptoms by 50-70%. Combined with pollen avoidance strategies, many sufferers reduce or eliminate medication needs.

Start now. Your future self will thank you when everyone else is suffering through peak grass pollen season.