Pollen Problems? How A Car Wash Can Help With Allergies

Achoo! Allergy season is here, and your car might be making it worse.

Wait, your car?

That’s right! That yellow-green dust coating your windshield and clinging to your door handles? It’s pollen! Every time you drive or open your car door, you’re kicking it back into the air (and your lungs).

The good news? A simple car wash can help fight back. Here’s how:

Removes Pollen Accumulation During peak allergy season, a single vehicle can accumulate thousands of pollen grains per square inch, especially on windshields, side mirrors, and front grilles. Washing your car at least once a week during allergy season can remove up to 90% of surface pollen, helping reduce your overall exposure and the frequency of symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion.

Reduces Re-Exposure Pollen also infiltrates your car’s interior, hitchhiking on clothes, shoes, and pet fur, or blowing in through open windows, resulting in re-exposure. On high-pollen days, your car’s cabin air can contain 2–3 times more pollen than the outside air. To truly breathe easier while driving, pair your exterior wash with a thorough interior vacuuming—especially in hard-to-reach spots where dust and allergens accumulate.

Improves Air Quality Inside Your Vehicle One often-overlooked contributor to poor in-car air quality is the cabin air filter. A clogged or dirty filter can reduce airflow and allow allergens to circulate freely. Check on your air filter as well! Replacing a dirty cabin air filter can reduce interior particulate pollution by up to 93%.

So, if you’re still sneezing through every drive, it might be time to take a closer look at your car. Regular cleanings of the exterior and interior can play a small but powerful role in minimizing your allergy symptoms. Swing by your local Alltown Car Wash and give your ride (and your sinuses) the relief they deserve. A cleaner car could mean a clearer nose and a much more pleasant commute.