Jump on social media and you’ll see all of your favorite influencers recommending an age-old German practice known as “luften” to clean out the air in a home.
In the U.S., though, we’re calling it ‘house burping.’ While the name leaves much to be desired, the practice can actually be incredibly beneficial to your home and your health, particularly in the winter months.
What is ‘house burping’?
House burping is simply the act of letting fresh air into your home by briefly opening the windows and doors.
Even a short burst of fresh air in your home can have powerful effects, as it allows for stale, moisture-laden air to escape, pushing out musty odors and dangerous air particles that can build up when the house is all sealed shut.
This is a European technique of encouraging a short burst of ventilation reduces condensation, lowers the risk of mold, and refreshes your indoor air without causing significant heat loss.
What most homeowners don’t realize is that having the heat going all day in winter can lead to serious condensation build up, which can also lead to mold. And given that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA, the last thing that you want is mold in your home.
“You bring in some more air from the outside, you dilute those concentrations and you reduce them,” air quality professional Tony Abate, chief technology officer for AtmosAir Solutions, said on TODAY in a segment that aired Jan. 21, noting it also prevents contaminants and carbon dioxide buildup.
House burping tips
The beauty of house burping is that there are no hard and fast rules. It doesn’t matter what room you start with or if you open your window or doors.
What is important is how long you “burp” your house, especially in the winter.
Experts agree that you should leave everything open for no longer than 5-10 minutes, ideally on opposite sides of your home to create a strong-cross draft.
Any longer than that and you’ll start syphoning out the hard built warmth in your home. The idea is to let the moisture and stale air out, not lose money on your electricity bill.
Timing is also something to keep in mind. Late at night is not ideal and since you’re only keeping the windows and doors open for a short amount of time, you also don’t want to do this when you’re leaving the house.
Think about the rooms in your home that hold the most moisture, like kitchens, laundry rooms, and bedrooms and start there. Another good idea is to “burp” right after you’ve enjoyed a hot shower in your bathroom.
The biggest benefit of the “burp” is to prevent mold in your home, and the bathroom is the most usual suspect.
Other ways to prevent mold
If mold exposure is your primary concern, house burping can help—but it’s only one part of a broader moisture-control strategy. Mold thrives in humid conditions, so reducing excess moisture is key.
Use ventilation fans or briefly open windows in bathrooms during and after showers to release trapped humidity. In naturally damp spaces like basements, a dehumidifier can help keep moisture in check; the EPA recommends maintaining indoor humidity below 60%.
Act quickly if you notice a leak or spill. Mold typically won’t develop if moisture is cleaned up and surfaces are dried within 24 to 48 hours. Proper ventilation also matters in the kitchen—opening windows or running exhaust fans while cooking or using the dishwasher can prevent moisture buildup before it becomes a problem.