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Households across the UK are being urged to put a tennis ball inside their tumble dryer from April to help protect against hay fever.

The UK's pollen season is now in full swing and will last from now until September, so there are many months ahead for allergy sufferers to battle through symptoms. Currently, tree pollen is being released, and with 'high' levels on the forecast for much of England over the coming days, it's likely that hay fever symptoms will be triggered. While there's no cure for hay fever, there are small, simple measures you can take to help minimise your exposure to pollen and minimise your symptoms as a result, and a lot of this centres around how you do your laundry.

Pollen is very sticky and can cling to your clothes, so the NHS and Met Office advice recommends ditching outdoor washing lines and opting to dry laundry indoors where possible, where clothes will be less exposed to pollen particles in the air.

But indoor drying can take a frustratingly long time and even if you have a tumble dryer to rely on, they're very expensive to run - particularly if you're using them year-round.

So to help speed up drying times - and save you some money on your energy bills in the process - laundry experts recommend throwing a tennis ball in the dryer along with your clothes.

According to AO.com laundry expert Gwil Snook, putting a tennis ball in the tumble dryer is a cheap way to significantly speed up the drying process as it helps prevent your clothes from sticking together, allowing better airflow and quicker drying times.

He said: "Adding a tennis ball or two to your tumble-drying cycle will help clothes dry faster by moving air around the machine, which in turn helps prevent wrinkling.

"Tennis balls work in the same way as woollen 'dryer balls' but can be a cheaper and more durable option. The bouncing action of the balls helps to separate clothes, preventing them from clumping together. This allows hot air to circulate better, resulting in a quicker drying time. Not only that, but your clothes will come out less creased, eliminating the need for ironing.

"This handy hack is suitable for all types of tumble dryers and, due to the quicker drying time, it can also help reduce energy consumption, saving you money."

For households that don't have a tumble dryer, Mr Snook recommends investing in a dehumidifier to help speed up indoor drying, as this will help to remove moisture from the air and keep your clothes pollen-free by not having to rely on air-drying outdoors.

He told The Express: "For people with extreme pollen allergies, drying your clothes outside may not be an option at all. So, if you're keen to keep drying your clothes indoors, then a dehumidifier is an essential.

"These appliances suck the moisture out of the air and store it in a container that can be emptied. This means you can dry your clothes faster indoors and reduce the risk of mould finding its way into your home through moisture build-up."

He added: "If you have a tumble dryer, then this is also a good option for drying clothes quickly inside. A great hack is popping a tennis ball in the tumble dryer - this stops clothes from clinging together and can speed up drying times.

"Severe hay fever sufferers should look at buying washing machines and tumble dryers that have specific anti-allergy cycles. These appliances use higher temperatures and have extra rinses at the end of the wash to remove all traces of dust, pollen and pet fur, making them perfect for people with severe allergies."