Get Ready For That Pollen!

Bless Your Heart, Pollen! A Southern Woman’s Guide to Spring Cleaning

Well, y’all, spring has sprung, and while that means azaleas in full bloom and porch-sitting weather, it also means one thing—pollen. That yellow dust gets everywhere, covering cars, porches, and even the sweet tea you left outside for two seconds. If you’re like me, you love the season but can’t stand sneezing every five minutes. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to cleaning, Southern style!

1. Start with the Porch—Because First Impressions Matter Your porch is the first thing folks see when they stop by, so let’s get it looking fresh. Hose it down first to get rid of the worst of that yellow haze, then wipe down your rocking chairs, railings, and tables with a mixture of warm water and vinegar—good ol’ Southern wisdom for cutting through the grime. Don’t forget the doormat; a good shake or vacuuming will keep the pollen from getting tracked inside.

2. Windows and Screens Need Some Lovin’ Pollen loves to stick to windows and screens, making everything look a little foggy. Mix up a solution of equal parts vinegar and water (or use your favorite glass cleaner), and wipe those windows till they shine like new. For screens, pop them out and hose them down—trust me, it’s the easiest way to get all that pollen out of those tiny holes.

3. Time to Freshen Up the Inside Even with the doors shut, pollen finds its sneaky way inside. Time to grab your microfiber cloth (or an old T-shirt if you’re like me) and dust every surface—tables, shelves, and especially ceiling fans. Those blades can collect dust and pollen faster than you can say “bless your heart.” Follow up with a good vacuuming, especially if you’ve got rugs and carpets where pollen loves to hide.

4. Wash Those Linens, Honey! If you’ve been leaving the windows open to enjoy the breeze, chances are your curtains, pillowcases, and even bed sheets have collected some of that pollen. A good wash in hot water will do the trick. And don’t forget the throw blankets on the couch—nothing worse than curling up for a movie and sneezing through the whole thing.

5. Give Your Car Some TLC If your car looks like it’s been rolled in cornmeal, it’s time for a wash. A simple rinse won’t do the trick—pollen sticks like glue! Use a car-safe soap and a microfiber cloth to really scrub it down, and don’t forget to clean out the air filters. Otherwise, you’ll be sneezing before you even pull out the driveway.

6. Keep the Pollen Out Before It Comes In Once you’ve got everything clean, keep it that way! Leave shoes by the door, change clothes after spending time outside, and consider getting an air purifier to help catch those pesky pollen particles. And if all else fails, a good ol’ dose of local honey might help with those sniffles (plus, it’s just plain delicious).

So there you have it, spring cleaning the Southern way! With a little elbow grease and a lot of sweet tea breaks, you’ll have your home looking fresh and pollen-free in no time. Now go enjoy that sunshine, but maybe keep a tissue handy, just in case!