Here’s Why Right Now is the Perfect Time to “Burp” Your House

Do you burp your house? That may not be what you call it, but I bet you do! It isn't new by any means, and doesn't require patting your home on the back. "House burping" is trending across the internet as people from other parts of the world share this fairly common chore.

You may do it after conquering a nasty virus, or when the weather changes, or after being cooped up at home for an extended period of time. Like this past snowstorm. That's why right now is the perfect time. All you have to do is open your doors or windows or both.

NPR actually just shared a story about "lüften," the German word for this trend. A recent guest shared,

"Stobluften, as it's called in Germany, is very common. I grew up with my parents and my grandmother practicing stobluften, especially in the mornings. The bedroom windows were open for a few minutes. It's clearly a long-standing habit. My grandmother was born in 1898 and grew up with it as well."

I am not gonna lie, that sounds like a story Rose from the Golden Girls would have told, but it really is a thing. Some leases in Germany even require tenants to open the windows every day. It is an inexpensive way to literally let the old air out and the new air in. This can improve air quality, reduce humidity, mold, and carbon monoxide, etc. at no cost.

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Proper house burping requires opening multiple doors and windows, preferably on opposite sides of the house. The recommended time is at least 10 minutes, but answers vary as far as how often it should be done. It ranges from once a week, once a day, to multiple times a day. Some folks just do it before and after company comes over, or as needed (burnt popcorn, yuck!)

Let's be real, sometimes the feeling and, yes, the smell of fresh air make all the difference. Not just for your peace of mind, but your body as well. Do you regularly burp your house? Any tips or tricks for best practice? I love to schedule this with a nice simmer pot. Some cinnamon and citrus. Mmmmmm Here's how to make one: