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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Open Your Windows NOW

105 replies

Scousemousey · 01/05/2025 08:12

AIBU to suggest
Now (whilst it's cool) is the time to open all your windows and let the fresh air in.

Give it an hour, and close them, and close your blinds or curtains in any sun facing windows.

This public service broadcast is over. Thank you.

OP posts:
ChocolateCinderToffee · 01/05/2025 12:44

MassiveOvaryaction · 01/05/2025 09:14

Didn't need telling, they'd been open overnight.

#smug

You left your windows open on Walpurgisnacht?

😮

BleakAF · 01/05/2025 12:26

I live in the Peak District, was suffocating last night not being able to open windows! Bring me some fresh air!

Open Your Windows NOW
Dingalingalong · 01/05/2025 12:14

Nope! It's cold and dark and grim for 11 months of the year. I will let the heat and the sunshine and the joy rush through my windows and into my house, while I walk around half clothed and drink crisp drinks!

Ollybob · 01/05/2025 12:00

It's not that hot, all my windows have been open for several days now constantly, it's only when it gets very hot that I'll do the opening and closing tricks to keep it cool, even then as I'm on the top floor and heat rises I'm not convinced it works!

Sharptonguedwoman · 01/05/2025 12:00

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 01/05/2025 11:57

28 inside isn’t nice for sleeping. Wouldn’t the better approach be to leave it a couple of hours to cool before opening up?

Show quote history

The evenings have cooled down loads here, nights are chilly @ 11 deg (SE England). OP said people were opening windows at 5pm, I was just guessing they were airing a house after it had been shut up for the day, that was all.

Digdongdoo · 01/05/2025 11:58

It's really not that hot. Keep your windows open and enjoy the warmth whilst it lasts!

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 01/05/2025 11:57

Sharptonguedwoman · 01/05/2025 11:53

28 deg isn't that warm. It's just pleasant and houses will be stuffy from being shut up all day.

Show quote history

28 inside isn’t nice for sleeping. Wouldn’t the better approach be to leave it a couple of hours to cool before opening up?

Crunchymum · 01/05/2025 11:53

Another year round window opener here. Although in the very cold months I just crack the bedroom windows open a little for an hour or so.

Blinds and shutters closed long before the sun hits the rooms on the sunny side of the house.

Windows in bedrooms left open a few inches overnight for airflow (so half my windows were already open when I got up at 6am!)

Sharptonguedwoman · 01/05/2025 11:53

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 01/05/2025 09:08

In the south East the hottest part of the day seems to about 5pm, yet all my neighbours seem to open their windows at that time?! Guys it’s 28c outside 23c inside, why invite the warm in?

28 deg isn't that warm. It's just pleasant and houses will be stuffy from being shut up all day.

Sharptonguedwoman · 01/05/2025 11:51

Scousemousey · 01/05/2025 08:12

AIBU to suggest
Now (whilst it's cool) is the time to open all your windows and let the fresh air in.

Give it an hour, and close them, and close your blinds or curtains in any sun facing windows.

This public service broadcast is over. Thank you.

It's not that hot?

inamarina · 01/05/2025 11:50

Profhilodisaster · 01/05/2025 09:00

Thanks for the advice, it always amazes me that people don't air their houses anyway. I always have a window open even through the winter (for at least an hour) .

Ha, I’m the same!

IttyBittyLittleKitty · 01/05/2025 11:48

I'm a bit the opposite really, my house is really cold due to the way it faces and the layout, so NOW my bi-fold doors and all the windows are open to let the heat IN! 😁

DontKnowHelpMe · 01/05/2025 11:46

I have awful hay fever, but have to open windows. You have to manage it.

Windows open for fresh air, but curtains closed as a barrier. I have some thin white curtains that let light through (in addition to proper blackout curtains). In bedrooms, put sheets over bedding (including pillows) to collect any pollen that lands on it in the day. Remove carefully at night.

I bought an air purifier that traps pollen. I know not everyone can.

Windows open in the morning are better than in the evening.

And the usual hay fever stuff. Wash hair at night, wear sunglasses. When it’s extreme, I remove outdoor clothes at the door when I come home and put straight in the washing machine. Then I shower and put on indoor clothes.

Breame · 01/05/2025 11:42

Not if you have hay fever.
Same with the washing. It’s staying inside.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 01/05/2025 11:34

Mine have been open since late March and won't close until winter. Thankfully, the first spring that I lived here, I had fly-screens put up on all windows, because I live between farms and the flies are terrible out here!

I do, however, sympathise with the hay-fever sufferers. It's awful when you're allergic to the world!

Keepingittogetherstepbystep · 01/05/2025 11:30

No due to hay-fever and my next door neighbours swamp like 1x3 meter front garden.

Shetlands · 01/05/2025 11:28

Windows open all day here with a lovely sea breeze wafting through (coastal Devon). It's 23 at the moment and won't be hotter than 25, feeling like 22.

HomeTheatreSystem · 01/05/2025 11:24

Windows always open when I'm home. Love fresh air even in the depths of winter.

DontKnowHelpMe · 01/05/2025 11:22

TheMimsy · 01/05/2025 08:39

Absolutely not. My hayfever won’t thank me. Maybe this evening after it’s cooled down again and hayfever meds are all in full effect.

You’re best opening them in the morning. In the day the pollen rises due to the heat of the day. In the evening it falls again as everything cools down. In the morning, the pollen is often better.

You can change the time of day you take your medication.

naemates · 01/05/2025 11:12

I did this when DS was tiny, so when the health visitor came round we were in the dark with the curtains and windows closed - I thought we were going to have social services at the door with her reaction to it! Glad I’ve found my sensible people here

Moonlightdust · 01/05/2025 11:05

I always struggle with this. 1) Because I like having fresh air circulating throughout my house all day 2) I feel very claustrophobic/depressed being in darkness with blinds and curtains drawn and not being able to look out the window.

AdoraBell · 01/05/2025 11:04

Ours were open just after 7 am. Bliss.

MyKingdomForACat · 01/05/2025 11:02

I have my windows open all year round. Only a little though because the cat thinks he can balance on the outside sill of the bedroom one 🐈‍⬛

Shadowsunray · 01/05/2025 10:48

This makes me chuckle. Are you my husband? He does this every time it's very warm and then comments about the crazy people across the road who still have their windows open in the worst heat of the day.

Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 10:46

Some of mine get opened every morning, even when its cold.
Patio doors and kitchen door open as we speak as well as most of upstairs
In fact my ensuite window is rarely closed (sorry DH)