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Housekeeping

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Original poster

If you work full time, when do you air out the house?

43 replies

tardisjumper · 04/03/2012 12:20

Now the weather isn't freezing anymore I have spent the whole weekend with all the windows open, and the flat feels and smells amazing. Oh, and our washing has dried really quickly.

However, I have never quite cracked how to air the flat during the week. I fall out of bed at 7 and leave at 7.30 to go to work. We get back at about 6.30. Sometimes DP gets home earlier. Yes it is warmer at the mo, but tbh in the evenings it is pretty chilly and we just want to curl up on the couch.

So how do we air the flat?

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 04/03/2012 12:41

after getting out of bed and before leaving for work.

you might do better to leave the bedroom windows open a fraction during the night now the cold is gone.

If you have modern windows they should have trickle vents that you can leave open permanently.

You do use the extractor fan in the bathroom, don't you?

And you don't drape water wet washing over the radiators?

faeriemoo · 04/03/2012 12:47

Either for the half hour in the morning (how on earth do you manage to wash/dress/eat/be ready in 30 mins?) or, just opening before you go to work, and closing the windows when you get home.

Original poster
tardisjumper · 04/03/2012 12:55

@Faerie I eat breakfast at work and lay everything out the night before.

@Piglet Yes we use the extractor in the bathroom, there is no window in there and no we don't drape washing on radiators. We dry the most damp stuff int he airing cupboard. It might have to be the overnight option.

OP posts:
WentworthMillerMad · 04/03/2012 18:06

Every morning, even if only 5 mins but normally a good 20 mins. As we
Leaving I have front door wide open as we gather bags blah
Blah so that the fresh air blasts through. Then like you massively at weekends.
I am slightly OCD about the Fresh air thing, also helps my
Asthma loads

TheMonster · 04/03/2012 18:07

We leave at 7.15 and get home at 6.15. I open the windows for about half an hour when I get home in the evening.

TheMonster · 04/03/2012 18:08

We're in a bungalow, so overnight isn't an option for us.

ChasingSquirrels · 04/03/2012 18:11

my windows stay shut between October and March (or whenever), I did have them open on Thu when it was lovely, and Sat - but in general I would much rather be warm.

TheMonster · 04/03/2012 18:12

Really, ChasingSquirrels? Your place must stink!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 04/03/2012 18:14

If you can bear getting dressed in a blast, then as soon as you get up.

We've got our windows open a crack all the time now even overnight and the house feels much fresher.

Pascha · 04/03/2012 18:22

Always used to be first thing, while doing bathroom/dressing/breakfast etc. About 20 minutes.

TheMonster · 04/03/2012 18:24

We have the bathroom window wide open during our showers, which helps. Does your fan take away all the moisture?

ZuzuBailey · 04/03/2012 18:30

As soon as I get out of bed (if it's warm enough) I open the bedroom window to air the room. I also open the bathroom & shower room windows for half an hour or so before I leave for work.

Genuine question OP, how do you dry washing in the airing cupboard? Do you lay it on the shelves or do you have room for an airer in there?

Bumblequeen · 04/03/2012 18:39

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

surroundedbyblondes · 04/03/2012 19:15

in the old days when I used to go to work (remembers independence wistfully...) I would open bedroom window when I got out of bed, and close them when I had finished getting dressed (ie. when I would no longer be going back into the bedroom again) Short time I know, but better than nothing, especially for bedrooms I think.

EdithWeston · 04/03/2012 19:25

Can you get window bolts which let you leave the window open a little? I know these exist for sash windows, don't know about other types.

ggirl · 04/03/2012 19:30

We leave the small windows in the upstairs rooms open during the day and open kitchen window wide when I get home.

I visit people in their homes for my job and some that don't air the house really honk!

cece · 04/03/2012 19:35

People air their house everyday? I have never heard of this! Shock

My windows get shut on the last warm day in Autumn and open again once Spring has warmed up enough to warrant it.

What about letting all the expensive hot air out?

lifesalongsong · 04/03/2012 21:21

I can't imagine not having any fresh air in the house for 6 months.

It must smell, where do the cooking and toilet smells go if you never let fresh air in - sounds yuck

SardineQueen · 04/03/2012 21:36

Am also a little concerned at the heat being wasted!

Where do smells go? British housing stock isn't airtight! People have extractor fans etc etc.

SardineQueen · 04/03/2012 21:37

Not to mention the doors being opened and closed a lot!

Airing houses sounds expensive.

RandomMess · 04/03/2012 21:38

We leave our windows locked on the latch so several are a little bit open all day?

QuaaludesAndRedWine · 04/03/2012 22:03

I aired mine on Saturday morning for a couple of hours and once it was shut up again, it still reeked of fajitas from the night before.

I never do mine normally, maybe leave the bathroom window open when I am out all day, but that's all.

fluffiphlox · 05/03/2012 08:17

Our bedroom and 'en suite' (terrible expression) windows are open all the time, unless it's below freezing.

CeliaFate · 05/03/2012 09:13

I have windows open all year round in the bathrooms - I can't bear musty, stale air. Drives dh mad though to have heating on and windows open!
I'd open all the windows when I get home and leave them open for half an hour.

cece · 05/03/2012 09:25

I have extractor fans that take smells away.