'House burping': What is this German habit and is it good for your health?

[erronis]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-house-burping-german-habit-good.html

"House burping" is the latest thing cluttering people's feeds: short clips of people flinging open every window and door, announcing they're "burping" their home to get rid of stale, germ-filled air. Behind the playful name is a serious question: does this actually make a home healthier, or are people just swapping indoor germs for outdoor pollution?

In Germany, this trend looks less like a revolution and more like everyday life. Lüften--literally "airing out"--and Stoßlüften, or "shock ventilation," have long involved opening windows wide for a few minutes to let fresh air race through, even in the depths of winter. Some German rental contracts even mention regular airing as part of looking after the property, mainly to prevent damp and mold.

The health logic is simple. Indoor air collects moisture from showers and cooking, smoke and particles from stoves and candles, chemicals from cleaning sprays and furniture, and tiny particles and viruses that people breathe out.

In a previous study my colleagues and I conducted, we found many diseases linked to indoor air pollution. Over time, these build up, especially in well-insulated homes that keep heat--and pollution--in. When the house is "burped," the sudden rush of outdoor air dilutes this mixture and pushes a good chunk of it outside.

. . .

[drray23]

1. Its traditional to do that in France too.

When i was a kid my mother would air the house out on Sundays. Likewise, she would always dry the linens outside on a line whenever possible. This gave this nice smell and crispness to the sheets.

[erronis]

2. There's nothing like that smell of sheets dried in the sunshine.

I think it's from the oxidation that happens with the UV in sunlight.

[thought crime]

3. Let the bad air out

&list=RDy4xf2G6g0wM&start_radio=1

[erronis]

12. Thanks - I enjoyed that track.

[Zackzzzz]

4. Rather than make the bed first thing in the morning,

I like to turn down the blankets and top sheet
and air out the sheets and pillows.
I open the window, only an inch if it's cold out.
But first, I get the coffee going.
Just my morning routine.

[erronis]

5. Sounds like my routine also.

Sometimes (many times?) I don't pull the blankets up until the evening.

[mopinko]

6. it used to b code in chgo to have huge radiators.

in a lot of apt bldgs ppl complain that it gets so hot they have to open the window. recently had a radiator repaired and the plumber, a 2nd gen chgo plumber in his family biz, told me this used to b code because of tb. the heating system had to b big enough to allow the windows to b open in winter to prevent the spread of tb.
my house was built in 1904, when this was the code.

[erronis]

8. That's an interesting bit of history and it really makes sense -- open windows to prevent the spread of TB.

[mopinko]

10. next best thing to an old ass tradesman

is an old ass tradesman’s kid.
these old systems r the bulk of their biz. a lot of regular plumbers wont touch them.

[doc03]

7. That won't help my electric bill.

[erronis]

9. Unless you're using an electric clothes dryer. I know families that hang their sheets out in the winter.

[Captain Zero]

13. I turn my heat off when I do it

But I only leave windows open for 15-20 minutes.
And maybe only once or twice a week in really cold weather.

I haven't had a cold since before covid.ive taken all the Covid shots and boosters, and I get the flu vaccine every year.

[NickB79]

11. It was -20F with -50F windchills 2 weeks ago

No thanks.

[LogDog75]

14. I saw that being done in Germany

It wasn't unusual there to see windows open in the winter. Many times you'd also see a duvet hanging halfway out the window to air it out.

I live in the San Diego area and in the winter when it gets cold (for us that's about 60 degrees) I'll open my windows and air the place out for about 30 minutes. Fortunately, I have good insulation in my condo and South facing windows so the sun warms helps warms the condo.

[Retrograde]

15. I did that today

since it's unseasonably warm here in the Bay Area. In warm weather I usually have a window or three open to cool the house - it's a 100+ year old bungalow designed for cross-currents. In hot weather, I open as many windows as possible at night (it cools down quickly when the sun goes behind the hills) and shut them in the morning - keeps the house cool without air-conditioning.

[JCMach1]

16. Not in Texas... Mountain Red Cedar is the culprit this time of year

[dickthegrouch]

17. Once a week in England when I was growing up.

All weathers.

[Vinca]

18. I'd love to burp the house, but it's -6 out. I'M SO SICK OF WINTER!!!