With the return of sunny days and rising temperatures, there’s nothing quite like the scent of freshly laundered clothes drying in the breeze. But for millions of seasonal allergy sufferers, this charming image comes with a hidden downside—and the answer to whether you should be drying laundry outdoors might surprise you.

Spring Isn’t So Sweet for Everyone

From March onward, spring ushers in months of discomfort for those affected by pollen allergies. Hay fever—also known as allergic rhinitis—impacts nearly one in three people in countries like France. As trees bloom, grasses grow, and herbaceous plants release their pollen, the air becomes saturated with microscopic allergens from April to September. The result? Sneezing fits, itchy eyes, runny noses, and relentless fatigue.