UK households are being urged to wash all bedding at a minimum temperature of 60C this week.

The UK has been basking in hot weather over recent days, with temperatures reaching highs of 29.3C in some areas, but the glorious conditions has also meant pollen levels are high. Hay fever season is already in full swing, with tree pollen being released from late March, but symptoms are typically worse when conditions are warm, humid and windy. While temperatures are forecast to turn cooler over the bank holiday weekend, this doesn’t mean hay fever symptoms will dry up.

In fact, bouts of rain can cause pollen particles to break up and be released into the air, helping to increase their reach and concentration, while thunderstorms can release spores from plants, triggering or worsening hay fever symptoms.

Symptoms typically include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and headaches and these can often be worse at night, making it more difficult to sleep.

This is usually due to pollen accumulating in your bedroom throughout the day through open windows, or by being transferred to your bed from your skin, hair or clothing, which then exacerbates symptoms.

It can also be due to your body position as lying down can cause a build-up of mucus in your sinuses and nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe and, in turn, drop off to sleep.

To help ease symptoms, experts urge hay fever sufferers to wash all of their bedding at a temperature of at least 60C to remove traces of pollen - and this should ideally be done every single week.

Laundryheap explains: "Bedding should be washed every 1-2 weeks, but if you suffer from hay fever, you must make sure to wash it every week. It is very easy for pollen and dust to become trapped in your bedding and, if not washed every week, it can build up.

"This could cause more severe hay fever symptoms and a loss of sleep. For the best results, wash your bedding at 60 degrees and wait until it is completely dry to put back on your bed."

It’s also advised that you don’t hang bedding out to dry outdoors, particularly when the pollen count is high, as pollen particles are sticky and can cling to your washing and be brought back into your home, making symptoms worse indoors.