A cleaning expert taught me how to ‘burp’ my home, and here’s why you should too

Whenever we think of something ‘burping’ in our homes, we might relate it to the gurgling sound of the bathroom drains or kitchen sinks as water goes down. Luckily, the concept of house ‘burping’ isn’t as noisy (or unpleasant) as one would assume.

In fact, burping your home is a simple and effective method to improve the quality of your indoor air and environment, especially as we start to prepare for the colder months ahead.

We ask a cleaning expert exactly what does house ‘burping’ mean, how to do it, and more importantly, why?

What is house ‘burping’?

Essentially, burping your home is the process of opening your indoor windows for short bursts, usually for around 10 minutes at a time. “Burping your home encourages the circulation of fresh air and prevents condensation - which in turn prevents the growth of mold,” explains Helen O’Connor, Product and Trends Manager at 247 Blinds.

“Mold thrives in areas with high moisture and humidity paired with low air circulation – and will grow quickly in places where water is present or air is stagnant. Mold often becomes more of a problem when seasons change and homes are often not experiencing constant airflow from a heater, fan, or air conditioner.”

So what are the main causes for mold and mildew? “Single-glazed or drafty windows are often a problem area for mold and mildew growth due to factors such as condensation and dust,” O’ Conner says. “No window is exempt from condensation, especially in the winter months when we experience a lot of cold weather. Because of this, your windows, blinds and curtains may be at risk of damage, as well as the walls and corners of your home. If you’re not letting your home breathe, you are cultivating an environment for mold to grow.”

Of course, if you’re struggling with excess humidity, it’s always good to invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to quickly draw in moisture and dry out a space.

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Which rooms need the most burping?

So, which rooms in the home should you be 'burping' more frequently than others? “Bathrooms are the most susceptible to mold growth due to the high moisture levels from steamy showers and baths, a condition in which mould spores thrive,” advises O’ Conner.

“Not only this, bathrooms often have poor ventilation, especially in the winter when keeping windows wide open is not always an option. This can lead to mold on the walls and even on your blinds."

She also suggests easy ways you can reduce the growth of mold by making simple changes. Besides allowing adequate ventilation, your window treatments can also make a difference. “Limit the places where mold can thrive by opting for anti-fungal roller blinds, which are specially coated to resist mold as well as other common bacteria.

"Alternatively, faux wooden blinds are perfect for those who want the look of wooden blinds in their bathroom as they are water, warp and crack-resistant, meaning frequent cleaning won’t damage them. Fitting blinds further forward of the window pane ensures that moisture won’t become trapped between the glass and the fabric.”

Alternatively, if you want something natural, that also makes a lovely decor addition, you could try this one plant in the bathroom to avoid mold this fall and these 5 houseplants that will help prevent mold in your home.

Make house burping a routine

In theory, burping your home sounds like a good idea, you just have to be consistent. But since it’s only for 10 minutes each time, you can easily do this without significantly feeling the cold temperatures outside. Not only will this allow fresh air and better circulation, but will prevent unsightly condensation or mold spores.

I’ll certainly start making it a daily habit to burp my home — and you really should too.

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