How Poplar Fluff Is Harmful and How to Deal with It

Poplar fluff penetrates through open windows, clogs the most inaccessible places, sticks to curtains and carpets, and rolls into clumps around the apartment. But this is not the worst part: fluff usually falls to the ground and then rises into the air with the wind. In this case, it carries dust and microbes into apartments, which eventually enter our respiratory tract.

Who Is Fluff Dangerous For

Fluff is most dangerous for people with bronchial asthma. It becomes not only a physical irritant but also a catalyst for new flare-ups of the disease.

People with chronic nasal congestion find it hard to tolerate fluff. Since they have a constant inflammatory focus and swelling of the mucosa, fluff causes additional irritation, increases blood flow to tissues, and worsens the situation.

Fluff is also harmful for people with nasal polyps. It not only irritates the mucosa but also becomes a cause of growth of polypoid tissue. As a result, polyps can significantly increase in size and lead to breathing problems.

If the mucosa is healthy, it cleans itself—by sneezing. But if there are defects, the condition deteriorates more quickly.

Protecting Your Car

The finest particles of gravel, sand, and other debris kicked up from the wheels of a car ahead end up in the radiator grille. Poplar fluff absorbs all this waste, forming a felt-like plug. When it reaches a certain size, the engine begins to overheat. Therefore, during summer it's better to visit the auto service more frequently and replace air filters.

...and Electrical Appliances!

During the period when poplar trees shed fluff, moths settle on the trees. Together with the fluff, they also enter apartments. Moths don't damage clothes or food in the house but can penetrate lighting fixtures, televisions, computers, and air conditioners (just like fluff itself). As a result, the appliances break down faster.

How Fluff Is Dangerous in the Yard

A cigarette butt thrown on the ground and not extinguished can instantly ignite a fluff “carpet,” and if there's dry grass underneath, it’s likely to cause a fire. This danger exists even on the balcony if neighbors above smoke. Therefore, it's important not to accumulate fluff on balconies.

How to Protect Yourself? Mosquito Nets

Modern double-glazed windows come with mosquito nets, which protect not only from mosquitos but also from fluff. An alternative can be a simple piece of cloth: attach it to the window frame using buttons or double-sided tape. Make sure there are no holes in the net: even a small gap can collect an enormous amount of fluff in just one day.

Wet Cleaning

After installing mosquito nets, you can begin wet cleaning. Spray water in the room using a spray bottle: fluff will settle on the floor. Help with cleaning by placing containers of water in each corner: fluff will be drawn to the water. Then wipe the floor, cabinets, shelves, and ventilation grates. Collect the fluff in a bag and dispose of it at the dump; otherwise, it will scatter throughout the apartment again.

If your house is surrounded by poplar trees, pass a damp mop through the rooms twice a day. Most vacuum cleaners are powerless against fluff: they don't collect light clumps but rather blow them around the corners.

Additional Tips:

• Rinse your nose several times a day with seawater spray. This not only helps clear nasal passages from fluff but also moisturizes the mucosa and reduces swelling.
• Keep car windows closed when driving through poplar alleys.
• Use vasoconstrictive drops: for nasal congestion, you can use them no more than twice a day and not longer than a week.
• Avoid foods that may worsen allergies: honey, seafood, chocolate, citrus fruits, cheeses with mold. It's better to avoid alcohol, especially herbal drinks like tinctures, vermouths, and liqueurs.

• Consult a doctor. There are many medications for allergies today. However, each one is tailored to address specific symptoms.