Should you ‘burp’ your house? The viral trend that might actually make you healthier

It seems that many people have been posting on social media about their well-ventilated houses and how they’ve been ‘burping their houses.’ So, what is the actual concept of house burping? It’s just flushing out the old, musty, germy air and replacing it with new, fresh outside air. Regardless of the silly nature of the name, there is a serious question involved: will burping actually improve your home and its healthiness, or will you just be switching out one type of indoor germ for another from the outdoor air?

Why fresh air matters for your house more than you think?

In many places throughout Europe, this is a regular practice. In Germany, regularly opening windows to air out your house has been the norm for many decades. Known as house burping, it involves opening up larger windows or patio doors for a short period of time. This practice is sometimes specified in rental agreements. The reason for doing this is mostly related to practical matters, including preventing condensation/mould on walls from causing damage or deterioration to the building itself.

The indoor air becomes polluted quickly. Moisture produced from cooking and showering increases the level of humidity. Stoves, candles, and fireplaces produce smoke and very small particles that pollute the air. The use of cleaning sprays and personal products can release chemicals into the air. Humans also expel smaller particles and viruses by breathing out. Because modern, well-insulated homes trap all these products in the house, there will be a buildup of pollution in the house.

Health officials stressed on the power of house burping and how just opening windows can lower the risk of an indoor infection. In a study of one classroom, the opening of all the windows and doors reduced carbon dioxide levels by approximately 60%. The simulated viral load was decreased by over 97% during an eight-hour school day, and the number of high-risk infection areas within the room was reduced to 15%.

Pets are also affected by bad air. Cats and dogs breathe the same air. Studies have found that the majority of indoor air pollution can cause animals to have irritated lungs, which can make them very sensitive and serve as an early warning system for unhealthy homes. The timing matters too for house burping. Pollution concentrations are highest in the morning and evenings during heavy traffic periods; there are fewer pollutants created late night, mid-day, or after rain. Opening windows briefly during each of these time frames to ventilate the area will decrease your pets' exposure to outdoor pollution.

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