Have you heard of 'Lüften'?

'Lüften'. It's the German word for 'airing'. It seems to be a trend now and it is something I grew up with and have done ever since having my own home. It's when you open your windows to air out the room, allowing fresh air to enter and replace stale air. Usually done first thing in the morning, it's done year round, even in Winter, for a few minutes, let's say 10-15 minutes, certainly not for as long as during a lovely Spring, Summer or Fall day when the windows can stay open longer or even all day. It's more for those times of year when you wouldn't usually open or leave your windows open or if you use your air conditioner as soon as the weather turns warm.

I've heard this referred to as 'burping your house' in English. Not a direct translation from German and not as welcoming a name, imo!

From what I have read from reliable sources, refreshing the air in your house, especially bedrooms, Lüfting might be a healthy habit to add to your daily routine.

We spend hours sleeping in one place overnight and this space plays an important role in our overall well being - hence why SO much is written about the ideal bedroom environment for sleep hygiene. Opening up a window is a quick and simple way to clear out carbon dioxide, allergens and bacteria that build up overnight and a much healthier option than spraying or plugging in air fresheners (that do anything BUT 'freshen' with aerosol and toxins).

I will even open a window on a winter's night for a few minutes before bed to freshen and cool down the room, making jumping into a cozy bed that much more delicious!

So, now you have heard about Lüften. Perhaps you already do this and didn't know it had a fancy name!