Pollen arrives earlier and stays longer.

Everything used to be clearly regulated.
Spring means pollen. Summer means breathing freely. Autumn means peace and quiet. Winter, of course.

This order no longer exists.

Due to milder winters and longer transition periods , hazel and alder pollen often start appearing as early as January these days . This comes as a surprise to many allergy sufferers and puts a real strain on the body.
And this is precisely where the error in thinking lies.

Pollen prevention doesn't begin in spring, it begins now.

Which pollens are harmful and when?

Let's take a brief look:

In Switzerland, the pollen count today looks roughly like this (yes, with increasing overlap):

January – February
Hazel, alder → first symptoms, often underestimated

March – April
Birch → major allergen, very aggressive

May – July
Grasses → Classic, long-lasting

August – September
Mugwort, ragweed → late, but intense

My personal impression: Pollen season is no longer a season. It's a permanent state with peaks .

Why is clean indoor air the key?

You can't control much outside. Inside, you can.

Studies and practical experience show that we spend 80–90% of our time indoors . This is precisely where pollen accumulates.

  • about clothing and hair
  • by ventilating at the wrong time
  • about pets
  • through textiles, carpets, upholstered furniture

If you do nothing here, you will inhale pollen, even with the windows closed.

How can you keep your indoor air low in pollen starting in January?

Preventive tips against pollen in the home:

1. Start early, don't wait

Air purification should be running as soon as the first pollen is in the air (i.e., now). Not only when symptoms appear.

2. Ventilate properly

  • Early in the morning (before 7 a.m.) or in the evening after the snow or rain

  • In cities, more likely in the morning; in rural areas, more likely in the evening.
    Brief, thorough ventilation. No permanently tilted windows.

3. Do not change clothes in the living room.

Jackets, sweaters, and scarves are pollen reservoirs.
It's best to take off your clothes in the entrance area. Leave your shoes in front of the door.

4. Protect bedrooms especially

Your body regenerates at night.
A low-pollen bedroom is often more effective than any antihistamine.

5. Wash textiles regularly.

Bed linen changed 1-2 times per week.
Washing your hair in the evening makes a difference.

6. Vacuuming with a HEPA filter

Otherwise you'll just stir up pollen. Old devices are counterproductive.

7. Use active air purification

And here we come to the most effective measure.

Make your home or office a place where you feel completely comfortable. Discover the world of STYLIES, Brand of Switzerland, and experience how optimal air quality positively transforms your daily life. Welcome to the STYLIES family; we stand for fresh, healthy, and stylish air in every room.

Why are air purifiers a preventative solution and not an emergency device?

Remove high-quality air purifiers:

  • pollen
  • Fine dust
  • Allergens
  • Mold spores

From my point of view, it is clear:

Air purifiers are not a lifestyle gadget, but health infrastructure.

Stylies air purifiers are designed to clean the room air quietly, efficiently and permanently.

Remember:

  • Activate your device before the peak of the pollen season.

  • Pay attention to the room size and adjust the device to the required cleaning performance.

  • Clean and change the filters regularly.

Continuity beats activism.

A pollen-free home is no longer an option; it is a prerequisite for quality of life.

STYLIES® ensures an optimal indoor climate. Creating good indoor air is quality of life.

But how do I choose the right air purifier?

Before we get to air purifier models, here are three fundamental questions you should definitely ask:

  1. How big is the room (in m²)?
    → Air purifiers must be appropriately sized for the area and volume of the room.

  2. How severe is the strain?
    → Mild allergies or seasonal complaints, or even severe symptoms such as asthmatic symptoms.

  3. When is the device operated?
    → Continuous operation over weeks or only sporadic use during peak periods.

The concept:
CADR / m³/h (Cleaner Air Delivery Rate) tells you how much air a device can filter per hour. The higher the number, the more powerful the device, but also the louder and more expensive it is.

What is the rule of thumb for air purifiers based on room size?

Room type Area Recommendation
bedroom up to 15 m² compact air purifier, quiet, continuous operation
Living/dining room 15–30 m² medium power, efficient throughput
Large living space / open space 30–60 m² high CADR, multiple devices or large device
Office & Meeting Rooms variable modular approach

However, performance ≠ noise level : Many modern devices run more quietly when they filter efficiently.

Do you know what really matters when choosing filters for air purifiers?

HEPA filter (mandatory):

  • Standard: H13
  • Better: H14 , if extremely sensitive individuals

HEPA filters out 99.97% of pollen particles. That's not marketing, that's physics.

Activated charcoal:

  • Provides odor and gas absorption
  • Helps in the fine dust crisis (useful across residential areas)

UV plasma and ionizers:

Often hyped as a unique selling point, but:

  • UV has a limited power range
  • Ionizers can generate ozone → not advisable for continuous use

Why is the maintenance of air purifiers often underestimated?

Filter replacement is not optional. Filters must be replaced regularly; otherwise, their performance will decrease and optimal air purification will no longer be guaranteed. Visual inspection and operating hours should be taken into account.

That's why I always recommend having spare filters at home.

Are you familiar with Stylies air purifiers?

Stylies air purifiers remove allergens, dust, fine dust, and viruses. Learn more about these models → here .

Expertise & Author

This article was created in collaboration with Stylies , the Swiss manufacturer of high-quality air conditioning units, and Daniel Gwerder.

Daniel Gwerder , CDO of Tavora Brands AG , has been an expert in health and indoor climate for over 20 years and shares his knowledge in a well-founded, understandable and practical way.

You can find more about Daniel on LinkedIn.