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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

how often do you open your windows to air your home?

63 replies

inconceivableme · 31/12/2014 11:08

We do most days upstairs, even if it's cold and wet, if only for 15 mins or so, but usually for longer I'm home a lot during the day and so can't help noticing how infrequently my neighbours open theirs. All our houses are the same with main and third bedrooms at the front so these are the neighbour's ones I see but I swear we're the only ones in our close of 20 or so houses who ever open the front windows. Even in summer, some neighbours windows stay closed. I'm clearly the odd one out where I live. What's it like where you are?

OP posts:
HeyMacWey · 31/12/2014 11:10

Same here - only a few in our road are regular airers.
Can't bear the thought of a fusty smelling house.

FallenAngel22 · 31/12/2014 11:11

I'm like you. I have the lounge window open as we speak and in summer constantly have them open. I hate a stuffy house. DH never thinks to open them, drives me mad! Our neighbours over the road never open a window, their windows are constantly covered in condensation.

MirandaWest · 31/12/2014 11:13

I always sleep with my bedroom window open. And in the summer more windows are open.

Winterfable · 31/12/2014 11:14

Summer they are all open all the time. This time of year a quick opening for 15 mins in the morning. Can't bear a musty smelling house either.

ohdearitshappeningtome · 31/12/2014 11:17

Our windows are all open in the summer. Once a day in the winter, but back door open most of the day for the dog

PureMorning · 31/12/2014 11:18

Everyday, even if it's just for 20 mins. Sleep with the Windows open all year round

FiftyShadesofScreeeeeeeam · 31/12/2014 11:18

I'm lying in bed with a hoody on and the windows wide open. Xmas Shock

DP never thinks to air the place. Xmas Angry

My neighbours are reasonable airers. However the people round the corner never do and you can see the black mould on their windows from outside.

sockmatcher · 31/12/2014 11:21

I've never considered the neighbours but next door always air their house too.

We air most mornings. That said we've been ill and struggling to keep warm. I think we are well enough for a trip to duck pond/ shop so will leave upstairs front windows open whilst out. Get the germs out! Then heating on when I get home.

ohdearitshappeningtome · 31/12/2014 11:21

Hardly anyone on our street opens there windows !!Shock

Izzy24 · 31/12/2014 11:22

I have absolutely no idea what my neighbours are up to !

I air daily

StormyBrid · 31/12/2014 11:27

Only open window down my terrace of thirteen houses is my bedroom. It's open a lot, but not specifically to air the place, just because I get too hot. Kitchen window is open a lot too, because the tumble dryer's in a lean-to in the yard and I have to run the plug through the window.

We've two houses with Eastern Europeans in, and they've usually got open windows, but all the other houses are full of English people and their windows are always closed, which strikes me as curious. Do the European neighbours all come from somewhere much colder than here, or do they just know more than the rest of us about airing?

FannyFifer · 31/12/2014 11:30

Bedroom windows opened every morning, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom opened most days.

MinnieM1 · 31/12/2014 11:33

How do you all know so much about your neighbours window opening habits?! Bit odd!

sideshowbob2 · 31/12/2014 11:35

i have all my windows on open-lock all year round, once winter hits just the little middle window is open, but i like to keep my place well ventilated, plus it stops mould and condensation, i have a ground floor flat and i'm mostly at work but i do open the back windows during the summer and during big spring cleans!!

sockmatcher · 31/12/2014 11:52

MinnieM. Its quite simple you use your eyes and look. I notice my neighbours when I open my curtains, go out of front door or walk shop. Nice modern squashed estates are good for noticing things whether you want to or not!

MinnieM1 · 31/12/2014 12:07

I notice my neighbours too, I wouldn't have the foggiest when the last time they opened their windows was, even if I noticed them open it just wouldn't register in my brain as something to remember

katsie · 31/12/2014 12:13

My front bedroom overlooks back of neighbours house... she has 3 kids. Patio doors and a window, never, ever open, vertical blinds that are always closed! The bedroom window above has a venetian blind that is never open, nor is the window. Never seen clothes drying in garden either?! Couldn't bear it... my small bedroom window is open all year round.

Toughasoldboots · 31/12/2014 12:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thelittlebooktroll · 31/12/2014 12:30

Once a day for 15 mins in winter all rooms. Sleep with open windows all year. I haven't been monitoring my neighbours, but must start to keep a closer eye on their airing out -routines!

morethanpotatoprints · 31/12/2014 12:34

Everyday, usually for the morning as otherwise our house gets really damp.
It's old Edwardian semi and condensation is a problem even being really careful with showers, cooking and laundry makes no difference if they aren't open daily.

I love the fresh air feeling afterwards too.

arthurbaby · 31/12/2014 12:39

In summer bedroom windows are open all the time. In winter we keep them locked but on the latch so they are open maybe half an inch all the time. Downstairs not very often in winter.

MirandaWest · 31/12/2014 12:45

Bathroom window gets opened for baths/showers. No idea when my neighbours open theirs though tbh

VeryPunny · 31/12/2014 12:51

In cold weather not at all but that's only a week or so Max a year. I also have them closed when I have the dehumidifier on.

TheFourthLobster · 31/12/2014 12:57

Upstairs, hardly ever. Downstairs all the time except when we need the heating on. They haven't been open at all this Christmas.

Notso · 31/12/2014 12:59

My bedroom window is open almost always unless it's heavy rain or snow, and that's only because we're in the loft and the bed gets wet if the windows open in rain.
Upstairs bathroom open all day.
Other windows opened daily, when I'm hoovering or cleaning.
The three house opposite never even open their curtains never mind windows.