As we swap summer evenings for cosy nights with blankets and hot drinks, our homes face a less welcome seasonal shift: steamed-up windows, damp corners, and the lurking risk of black mould.But there's a surprisingly easy way to fight back against condensation, musty smells and mould this winter and it only takes a few minutes a day. It's called "house burping."

 

What is house burping?

 

The trend comes from the German practice of StoBlu ften, or "shock ventilation." Instead of keeping windows cracked open all day (and losing heat in the process), it uses short, powerful bursts of fresh air to clear out stale, moisture-heavy air.

 

How to burp your home

 

The method is simple:

Open several windows fully at once, ideally on opposite sides of your home to create a strong cross-breeze.

Open interior doors so the air can sweep through every room.

Leave everything wide open for 5-10 minutes, then close it all up again.

 

That''s long enough to flush out damp air, but not long enough for your walls or furniture to lose their warmth. A few minutes a day can make a real difference, helping prevent condensation build-up, keeping windowsills mould-free, and banishing musty odours before they set in.

 

When and where to do it

 

Although house burping works anywhere, it's especially useful in rooms most prone to damp: kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. If you can, always open windows on opposite sides of your home for maximum airflow.

 

Timing matters too. Focus on the moments when moisture levels are at their peak:

First thing in the morning - bedrooms collect moisture overnight.

After showers or baths - bathrooms release a surge of steam.

After cooking - pans and ovens quickly fill the air with vapour.

When drying clothes indoors - one of the biggest sources of extra damp.

 

A small habit with big benefits

 

If you start early in the season and keep it up once or twice a day, you'll get ahead of condensation, damp and stale smells before they become a problem. And if you're already battling steamed-up windows or musty odours, target the problem areas to see results quickly.Just a few minutes of house burping each day is enough to keep your home fresher, drier and far more comfortable all winter long.