Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Kristin
While spring brings warmer temperatures, longer days and budding flowers, there’s one disadvantage to this season: those pesky seasonal allergies. More than a quarter of adults in the U.S. have seasonal allergies, according to recent survey from the National Center for Health Statistics. If you suffer from allergies, pollen from trees and grass can wreak havoc on your respiratory system between February and June, making it hard to enjoy being outdoors. You’ll also want to keep pollen out of your car interior.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping pollen out of your rental car.
Keep Your Windows Up
One of the main culprits for pollen getting into the car is rolling down the windows. As tempting as it is to let in some fresh air, it’s best to keep the windows up and use the air conditioning if any passengers suffer from spring allergies. The same goes for sunroofs and doors — try to keep them closed as much as possible to keep pollen from entering.
Use A/C Recirculation
Another trick to keeping pollen out of your rental car is using air recirculation. If this doesn’t sound familiar, don’t worry—you can activate recirculation mode by hitting that button that shows the shape of a car and a curved arrow. This recirculates air that is already in the car instead of air from outside, which may contain pollen and other allergens. Using recirculation can also help the car cool down more quickly when the air conditioning is on.
Park Indoors Whenever Possible
One of the easiest ways to keep your car free of pollen is to park indoors whenever you can. Even if you’re not parked directly under a tree with yellow pollen, the wind can still blow these fine particles over to your vehicle, coating the exterior. Opt for a covered garage whenever possible. If you must park outside, stay as far away as you can from trees during the spring months and close all of the windows to avoid any pollen gathering on your car or entering the exterior.
Vacuum the Interior if Needed
While taking a rental car through the car wash is usually not necessary unless it is exceptionally dirty, it can be a good idea to vacuum out the car’s interior to make sure pollen doesn’t stain the seats or carpets and trigger allergies during the drive. Tree pollen can cause stubborn stains if left untreated, which could be a reason for the car rental company to charge you an extra cleaning fee.
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