Homeowners are being encouraged to adopt a free Scandinavian habit that not only helps prevent mould growth in the home but also contributes to a 'happier and healthier' feeling.
Mould can be found in homes at any point of the year, but it's during the colder autumn and winter months when people start drying their laundry indoors and turning up the heating that new mould can begin to grow if not monitored. Drying damp clothes inside increases humidity, and since mould thrives in moist environments, this can lead to spores spreading around your home and cause more mould growth without you even realising.
However, a woman named Anna Christian is now advocating for the incorporation of a 'Scandinavian secret' into daily routines, as it has been shown to offer numerous benefits, including preventing mould growth. In a video published to Instagram, she teases: "Reminder: A Scandinavian secret to a healthier home... Hint: You don't have to buy anything." She then reveals the secret in the caption of her post, which despite sounding unusual, could potentially enhance your health.
She shares: "Here in the North, most people do it without even thinking - we watched our parents and grandparents crack a window even in the dead of winter... sometimes at -20°F // -29°C," and adds, "Letting the crisp air sweep through the house like it was the most normal thing in the world (I can still hear the laughter every time it happened)."
Whilst it may seem peculiar to fling open your windows during the depths of winter, there are actually numerous health advantages to doing so. Beyond simply maintaining a fresh atmosphere in your home, Anna elaborated that allowing outside air to circulate helps eliminate stagnant indoor air whilst promoting a healthier living space. She further suggested it can provide an immediate lift to your spirits and help you feel more connected to the natural world.
Additionally, keeping windows open, even just for a few minutes a day, has been shown to minimise the likelihood of mould developing in your property, as it exchanges humid interior air with crisp, dry outdoor air. Once you shut the windows again, the indoor temperature ought to swiftly return to comfortable levels, but crucially the airborne moisture will have been expelled, preventing it from forming damp spots on your walls and windowpanes. "You'll be surprised how natural - and how effective - this feels after a few days. A quiet rhythm that's worked for generations," Anna said.
