Is Your Car Allergic to Pollen, Too? How to Deal With Pollen On and In Your Car

Pollen seems innocuous, but if left unchecked, it can damage your car’s paint and even reduce gas mileage and engine performance.

“Pollen season tends to catch drivers off guard because it doesn’t feel as urgent as winter hazards like ice or salt,” says driver education expert Lucas Waldenback. “But over a few weeks, it can affect visibility, air quality and even how easy your car is to maintain.”

Here are some preventative steps to keep your vehicle and the air inside safe during pollen season.

How Are Cars ‘Allergic’ to Pollen?

Just like pollen can cause respiration problems in humans, it can clog your car’s air filter, reducing its ability to intake air. Pollen is also especially rough on paint.

“It may seem soft to touch, but under a microscope, pollen actually has a spiky surface, and this can act like fine sandpaper,” says automotive specialist Matt Clamp.

How Does Pollen Damage Cars?

The most noticeable damage is to vehicle paint. When pollen particles get wet, they become acidic, corroding the clear coat and dulling the finish. They’re also abrasive, so if you dry wipe pollen off of your car, it will create micro-scratches.

Other ways pollen damages cars include:

• Lowering visibility and wiper-blade effectiveness;
• Causing micro-scratches on the windshield.
• Clogging cabin air filters. “This is especially noticeable for drivers with allergies, but it can also make the ventilation system less efficient,” says Waldenback.
• Clogging engine air filters, which restricts airflow, making your engine work harder. “Over time, that can reduce fuel efficiency and lead to engine damage,” says automotive expert Steve Haney.

How to Prevent Pollen Damage to Your Car

• Replace engine and cabin air filters at the start of pollen season, then check them periodically to make sure they’re not clogged.
• Clean your wiper blades with a wet cloth to remove pollen buildup.
• Never wipe off pollen when it’s dry.
• Use a water-repellent windshield washer fluid, such as one containing Rain-X.
• Regularly wash pollen off the car, so it doesn’t have time to bond with the surface. Car protection specialist Ken Huening recommends two or three times a week. “This is a good time to sign up for the unlimited wash level at your local car wash,” he says.
• Use a pH-balanced shampoo and a soft sponge.
• Apply paint-protective coatings like ceramic coatings or wax. “This can make it harder for the pollen to stick, and will make it easier to wash off next time,” says Clamp.
• Park in a garage or covered spot, or use a car cover. “At very least, try to avoid parking right under trees that make the most pollen, like oak, birch, cedar and ash,” says Haney.

“Prevention is mostly about consistency,” says Waldenback. “A common mistake is waiting until the car looks visibly dirty. By that point, pollen has often already mixed with moisture and formed a more stubborn layer.”

How to Keep Pollen Out of Your Car for Allergies

• Drive with your windows up and sunroof closed.
• Run the AC on recirculation mode to avoid pulling outside air into the cabin.
• Replace the cabin air filter at the beginning of allergy season. Use HEPA-rated filters, such as those made by Bosch.
• Vacuum floor mats and seats, and wipe the dashboard regularly. It can also help to clean your vents with compressed air or a brush, says Haney.

How to Properly Clean Pollen Off Your Car

Regularly wash your car or take it to a professional car wash. “Simply rinsing your car with a hose or waiting for rain isn’t a good idea, since pollen turns acidic when wet,” says Haney.

• Use pH-balanced soap and a soft cloth or mitt.
• Never wipe dry pollen. That will create micro-scratches in your paint.
• Pay attention to the places where pollen settles, such as the roof, hood, windshield and wipers. “Open the doors to clean the sills, and wipe down the rubber seals as well,” says Huening.
• Start from the top and work your way down.
• Wash, then rinse one section at a time. Also, “Wash the car in the shade if you can, so water and soap don’t dry too quickly on the paint,” says Clamp.
• Use light pressure; don’t scrub.
• Dry your vehicle with a microfiber cloth.
• Apply a wax or ceramic coating. Huening recommends the Teflon-based wax DriWash.

“This might feel like a never-ending cycle of washing your vehicle during pollen season, but this type of proactive car maintenance can help keep your car looking its best and get the most life out of it,” says Haney. “And who doesn’t love driving a shiny car?”

About the Experts

• Steve Haney is a corporate technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket, and has more than 35 years of hands-on automotive repair experience.
• Lucas Waldenback is co-founder of Zutobi, a driver education platform used by millions of learners worldwide to understand road safety, vehicle care and responsible driving habits.
• Ken Huening is CEO of CoverSeal vehicle covers.
• Matt Clamp is an automotive specialist at Scrap Car Comparison, where he leads on vehicle valuations and the car scrapping process, providing insight into end-of-life vehicle trends, and the factors that make cars unsafe or uneconomical to keep on the road.

RELATED:

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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This 2-Ingredient Carpet Deodorizer Makes My House Smell Like a Hotel

We live in an older home with plenty of charm—and plenty of carpet. Between our dog, daily foot traffic and the Florida humidity, our floors have definitely seen better days. Replacing the carpet is definitely on our to-do list, but when guests come over, I still want the house to smell fresh. My secret weapon? A super-simple, two-ingredient carpet deodorizer that makes the whole home smell like a boutique hotel in minutes.

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How to Make a 2-Ingredient Carpet Deodorizer

While it’s not a replacement for a deep clean or new flooring, this DIY carpet deodorizer is my favorite quick fix for when I’m hosting or just want the house to feel fresher. It’s easy to make and adds a signature scent to our home without pricey candles or diffusers.

Materials:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 10–20 drops of essential or fragrance oils of your choice. (My favorite is a No. 1111 from Airscent, which gives luxury beach villa vibes.)

Instructions:

1. Measure one cup of baking soda into a small bowl
2. Add 10-20 drops of essential oils. Start small here—you can always add more later.
3. Mix well using a fork or whisk to break up any clumps
4. Sprinkle evenly over your carpet. Focus on high-traffic or odor-prone areas.
5. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes—or up to 1–2 hours for a stronger effect. Some recommend leaving it overnight, but I think that’s overkill.
6. Vacuum it up. I use a Dyson V15 vacuum that’s great at picking up fine particles, but any reliable vacuum works just fine.

Why It Works

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs unpleasant smells rather than masking them. It’s a temporary fix, but great for freshening up carpets between deep cleans. It works by neutralizing odor molecules, which makes it ideal for pet owners or anyone with high-traffic carpeted areas.

According to cleaning expert Allen P. Rathey, “Baking soda (alkaline) is attracted to human sweat, pet urine, and body oils (acidic)—which cause bacterial odor in carpet—and can neutralize them for a time.”

While a mixture like this isn’t removing the source of the problem, “odors may come from mold (also acidic) in carpeting, and baking soda is a chemical ‘match’ that may also help neutralize the odor.”

FAQ

What types of fragrances can I use?

This DIY deodorizer is fully customizable. Choose a fragrance or essential oil combination that matches your favorite scent profile. Go fresh and citrusy using lemon essential oil or cozy and warm with bergamot. My go-to is this collection of hotel fragrance “dupes” that smell luxurious without being overpowering.

Why does my carpet smell bad?

According to Rathey, “Odor-causing bacteria and mold spores need three conditions to best grow: Moisture, a food source, and relative darkness. These are present in carpet, especially at the base of fibers.” Microbes need very little of these elements in order to grow and flourish. “If the food source is not removed, bacterial or fungal odor will return.”

What’s the best way to get rid of bad-smelling carpet for good?

While you could replace the carpet entirely. Rathey recommends hot water extraction as a more effective solution for getting rid of bad smells. He likens it to your carpet’s version of a shower. He states, “It is important to deep clean carpets using hot water extraction followed by complete drying rather than solely applying a dry treatment.” Commercial cleaning companies have the equipment and knowledge to do this effectively.

About the Experts

• Allen P. Rathey is an educator specializing in healthy facilities who cleaned carpets professionally for more than a decade.  He has assembled an advisory group of scientists, PhDs, facility and public health experts who share his passion for helping people everywhere create and maintain safe, healthy indoor environments. He is the Director of the Indoor Health Council (IHC) and Founder/Executive Director of the Indoor Exposure Index (INDEX) focused on reducing exposures related to cleaning.

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The Real Reasons Some States Pay More at the Pump

As I drive into town each day from my home in the Central California hills, I come to a corner with two gas stations. Every day, they charge significantly different prices. On one side of the street, the Chevron station is currently advertising $6.29 per gallon, while across the street, Great Gas (a North Carolina-based company) advertises $5.49. Both prices are too high for comfort, but an $0.80 difference between them seems huge to me.

Not only that, but if you drive 400 miles north to Oregon, the average price for gas (as of this post’s publication) is only $5.00. And if you go east, the price is even less. In fact, the national average price for gas as of this writing, according to AAA, is only $4.16, which means that people in some places are paying less than $4.00 per gallon.

What’s up with these price variations? Let’s take a look.

What Determines the Price of Gas?

People love to blame the President when gas prices spike, but as NPR’s Business Desk explains, the President has very little control over gas prices (although government policies can and do have a limited effect). The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) states that the real determinants of the price at the pump are fourfold:

• Cost of crude oil
• Refining costs and profits
• Distribution and marketing
• Taxes

The cost of crude accounts for a half of the price at the pump. Recently, the loss of supply resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused the price of crude to top $100 a barrel, and that raised gas prices across the globe. The other three factors, however, are more dependent on location.

Refining costs account for about 15 percent of the current gas price, and they are higher in states that require seasonal blends or during periods after disasters, when supplies are stretched. Distribution costs account for another 16 to 18 percent. They are higher in remote areas and areas far from oil sources.

And then there are state, federal and local taxes, which account for about 16 percent of the price.

How Much Do State Gas Taxes Add to the Price?

The federal government imposes an 18 cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline, and states levy 33.55 cents per gallon, on average. State taxes vary, and in some cases there are local taxes to pay as well. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) explains that 24 states levy a fixed tax while 26 states levy a variable tax based on a percentage of fuel prices. Of the latter, 18 states include the cost of transportation in the variable tax rate. State taxes may also include levies for inflation and infrastructure costs and for efforts to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

States with the Highest Gas Prices

According to World Population Review, the four states with the highest gas prices in 2026 were California, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. They are all Western states, as are the next two in the list: Nevada and Alaska.

Why Is Gas So Expensive in My State?

I live in California, and with gas prices currently reaching $7 or more in some places, it takes the cake for having the highest gas prices in the country. Journalist Michael Satterfield explains why he thinks this is so: “There are several reasons why California has higher gas prices,” he says. “The main one that is easy to point to is their higher gasoline taxes. You’re often paying over a $1.50 per gallon just in state and local taxes. Couple this with special fuel requirements, thanks to the California Air Resources Board, which means that only refineries in California produce that special gasoline.” The number of such refineries has fallen from 50 in the year 2000 to about 20 today, he adds.

“Within the state, pricing can vary due to local sales tax rates and additional local environmental fees,” Satterfield continues. “Not only that, but Californians pay a statewide excise sales tax that can be as high as 10.75%, depending on where you are at in California.”

States with the Lowest Gas Prices

The four states with the lowest gas prices in 2026 were Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Why Is Gas So Cheap in My State?

An important factor is distance from supply, which is why the Gulf Coast states (AL, AR, LA, MS, NM and TX), being as close as they are to the oil supply, have some of the cheapest gas in the country, according to the EIA. A fixed tax plan with a lack of surcharges for inflation, infrastructure and environment also works to keep prices down.

FAQ

Do Gas Prices Vary Within the Same State? Why?

Yes. They can even vary in the same city, and two stations located across the street from each other can have significantly different prices. The reasons for this include brand recognition (Chevron and Shell always set higher prices), fuel quality (the advertised reason for the higher prices from suppliers like Chevron and Shell), competition, and traffic volume. Communities within a state can also charge local taxes that raise the price per gallon within those communities.

Are City Gas Prices Higher Than Rural Areas?

Usually, the opposite is true. Rural prices are generally higher because of the cost of transporting gas to remote areas. Add to that a lower volume of traffic, which forces stations to charge higher prices to increase profit margin and stay in business.

About the Expert

• Michael Satterfield is an award-winning journalist, branding expert, and founder of The Gentleman Racer—a leading online publication covering automotive culture, travel, and lifestyle.

Sources

• American Automobile Association: Fuel Prices; (2025)
• National Public Radio: Whether gas prices are up or down, don’t blame or thank the president; (2022)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Gasoline explained – Factors affecting gasoline prices; (2025)
• Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: Two in Three Americans Live in States with Variable-Rate Gas Taxes; (2025)
• World Population Review: Gas Price by State 2026; (2026)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Gasoline explained – Regional gasoline price differences; (2025)

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• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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9 Safety Pin Hacks That Prove It’s the Most Useful Thing in Your Junk Drawer

Pickpocket Deterrent

Keep pickpockets out of your bag with a makeshift safety pin lock. “Use a safety pin horizontally across a closed zipper of a purse or backpack to deter theft. Once the pin is closed, the purse cannot be opened unless it is removed,” Sawyer says. Thieves will likely move on to easier marks once they encounter your safety pin protection.

Replace a Broken Zipper Pull

In a pinch, use a safety pin to replace a broken zipper pull. Run the pointed end of the pin through the zipper head, then close the pin. Pull the safety pin as you would a zipper pull. I’ve used this trick on coats, luggage and backpacks and it’s simple, easy and convenient. As a bonus, safety pins can also be used to set a stuck zipper back on track.

Quick and Easy Dress Adjustments

Don’t have time to take in that dress before the party? Use a safety pin instead. “A safety pin can be placed at the rear or inner seam of a dress to make quick and non permanent adjustments to the fit of a dress to help shape a garment for that special event,” Grammer says. This simple trick can create a tailored look without the time or added expense of a sewn alteration.

Retrieve a Drawstring

Who among us hasn’t lost the end of a drawstring in a waistband? The good news is this frustrating event can easily be remedied with the help of a safety pin. “Fasten the pin to the end of the drawstring, push it into the waistband, and slide it along, gathering the fabric behind it as you push it through,” Sawyer says. Patience and perseverance pays off when using this safety pin trick.

Travel Tangle Prevention

When traveling, use safety pins and cloth to keep jewelry separated. “Hold necklaces and bracelets on a cloth or ribbon using safety pins to stop them from tangling in your baggage,” Grammer says. Lay necklaces on the cloth or ribbon and secure each with a safety pin near the clasp. Add a second pin on the other end for longer necklaces. Make sure to leave a gap between each piece to further prevent tangling.

Reduce static electricity

If you’ve ever been zapped by static electricity, this tip’s for you. “Clip a safety pin to the inside of your hem to cut down on static electricity conduction – especially during winter!” Sawyer says. Wearing a metal safety pin slowly discharges static electricity, preventing a big build-up (and zap) when you touch something conductive, like a metal doorknob. It’s not a complete deterrent, but can lessen the charge.

Strap Stopping

Use this trick to keep wandering bra and dress straps in place throughout the day. “A safety pin can be placed on the underside of the garment to anchor the outer fabric of the strap to keep it secured in place,” Grammer says. This stops the strap from shifting or falling off the shoulder, an infuriating experience. You can also pin bra straps together in the back when wearing racer back tops.

Small Hole Cleaner

Small and compact, safety pins are easy to have on hand at all times and can help keep small holes in your products or devices clean. “Keep a safety pin clipped to the inside of your makeup bag to open small vials that inevitably become caked with overuse, such as eyelash glue,” Sawyer says. “Use the opened safety pin to clear the small cosmetic nozzle and keep your product flowing.” The same can be said for tiny ports on your cell phone or computer.

Add Decorative Touches

Safety pins are used by professionals like Grammer to fasten feathers, beads or flowers to hats and headpieces, but can be used to adorn other items as well. “As a milliner who creates bespoke fascinators and headpieces, I’ll reach for safety pins on a near daily basis,” she says. “Apart from basic repairs, they can be surprisingly handy for some more inventive styling.” Use safety pins to adorn a bag or jacket with decorative flowers or feathers.

Get creative and add safety pins to clothing for a unique flair. “Safety pins can be placed anywhere on your clothing to add a detail,” Grammer says. “They can be placed on the edge of the lapel, adorn a tie or add some punk to a reworked piece of a hat.” Safety pins come in a variety of sizes, materials and colors to provide endless looks.

About the Experts

• Meieli Sawyer, PhD is an advertising executive for the Weimbach Group and a fashion historian. She holds fashion degrees from the London College of Fashion and Syracuse University.
• Amy Grammer is a professional milliner and owner of Milliner’s Row in Lousiville, Kentucky, specializing in bespoke fascinators and headpieces.

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If You Notice Blue Reflectors on the Road, Here’s What They’re Telling You

Odds are, if you’ve driven anywhere in the United States, you’ve probably noticed small, raised blue reflectors on the ground and wondered what they are. You’re not alone, but most people have no idea what they mean or if they actually serve any real purpose.

Well, they’re not random… and they actually play an important role in public safety. Learn what blue reflectors on the ground mean, where drivers are most likely to see them, and why they matter for homeowners and anyone working around a property.

What Blue Reflectors On The Ground Mean

Blue reflectors on the ground are most commonly called “fire hydrant markers” or “blue road reflectors”, and in technical terms, they’re a type of “raised pavement marker”, typically shortened to RPM.

They’re used to mark underground water systems as they identify nearby fire hydrants to emergency crews in areas where they might not be easily seen from the road.

The color coding follows a widely recognized standard. According to guidance from the American Public Works Association, blue indicates potable water systems, which include, but are not limited to, water mains, service lines, and fire hydrants.

Fire hydrants can blend into their surroundings more than you might expect. The blue reflectors are installed by local municipalities when needed by emergency crews. Those reasons could be due to weather, parked cars, landscaping, or some other similar factor that limits visibility.

When it comes to responding to an emergency, firefighters rely on them to find hydrants without wasting time searching block by block as every second counts.

Where Drivers Typically See Blue Road Reflectors

While blue reflectors can be found in just about any area of the country where fire hydrants are present, there are some areas where they are more common.

They follow a standard, but are not installed in every city. In fact, some municipalities rely on visible hydrants alone, while others opt for alternative markers or signage to alert fire crews to available water sources.

Weather might be the most common influence as areas that deal with heavy snowfall or vegetation tend to use reflectors more frequently. That’s because hydrants can disappear from view for long periods in those conditions.

Blue reflectors appear most often on residential roads, more so in neighborhoods with standard curbside hydrants. They also show up in areas where landscaping or elevation changes make hydrants harder to spot, like a large hill, curved road, or dense hedge line.

Also, not all municipalities use them at the same frequency, as their reasoning or standard for what constitutes a visually impaired area might differ. So, similarly sized cities in the same county, state, or region that use blue reflectors might have widely different numbers of them.

Blue reflectors are usually placed in the center of the lane or slightly offset and aligned with the hydrant’s position. That’s the case even if the hydrant sits several feet away from the curb.

What Homeowners Should Know About Blue Reflectors

Knowing about blue reflectors isn’t just for the benefit of first first responders. Homeowners are also better off understanding what these markers indicate, especially when making changes to a yard or driveway.

Because a blue reflector often signals a nearby hydrant or water line connection, that’s an extra reminder that any digging project should start with proper utility checks. Utilize the Call Before You Dig service to locate underground lines before any digging to reduce the risk of damaging essential infrastructure, which could put yourself or others in danger and lead to a very expensive mistake.

The blue reflectors also serve as a reminder to keep the area around hydrants clear. Even if the reflectors help fire crews identify where a hydrant is located, physical access still matters. So keep the area around a hydrant trimmed and unobstructed.

Sources

• American Public Works Association, “Uniform Color Code for Marking Underground Utility Lines”
• Call Before You Dig, “811 Process and Utility Safety Information”

RELATED:

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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