Open the windows wide, even in winter
Stoßlüften
Germans open all windows wide for a few minutes several times a day, even when it is freezing outside.
German homes are built to keep heat in, so the air inside gets damp quickly from cooking, showers and breathing. Damp air leads to mould (Schimmel) on the walls.
The answer is Stoßlüften: open the windows completely for a short time. The federal environment agency (Umweltbundesamt) suggests 2–3 times a day for about 5 minutes per room in winter, and longer in summer. Turn the heater down while the window is open.
Leaving a window tilted (gekippt) all day is the wrong way: it wastes heating and can cause mould around the window.
Your landlord may check this. If mould appears because you never aired the flat, you may have to pay for the repair.
You may hear
Kannst du mal kurz lüften?Can you open the window for a moment?
India and Germany
In India you open windows for a breeze or keep them shut against heat and dust. In Germany airing is a daily habit, and "Hast du gelüftet?" is a normal question.
German words for this
- lüften · to air (a room)
- das Fenster · window
- der Schimmel · mould
- die Heizung · heating
- kippen · to tilt
Sources
Last checked: 9 November 2026.
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