Time Periods to Close Windows in Spring
In spring, the weather is changeable, and it is natural to keep windows closed. However, keeping windows closed for a long time can pose health risks. Today, I want to remind you of the 7 time periods when you should open windows for ventilation.
After waking up
The indoor space is often more enclosed during sleep. After a whole night of breathing, the air in the bedroom can be quite poor. It accumulates a lot of carbon dioxide and the oxygen becomes thin. When tidying up the bedding, small pollutants such as dust mites and dander can float in the air. At this time, it is particularly important to open windows for ventilation. However, it is not advisable to open windows too early, especially in urban areas where the concentration of pollutants in the air is still high at 6 or 7 in the morning. It is best to wait until the polluted air on the ground has risen before opening windows for ventilation. You can open windows around 8 o'clock in the morning when the temperature rises and the air quality improves slightly. It is worth mentioning that cardiovascular disease patients are prone to illness when exposed to cold air, so they should wear more clothes after getting up and open windows after adapting to the temperature. The indoor space is often more enclosed during sleep
Damp bedding
Dust mites like warm and humid environments, and bedding is their favorite home. The bedding can become slightly damp from human sweat, and this temperature and humidity are most suitable for the survival of dust mites. In the southern regions, the air humidity is high, so the bedding is more likely to become damp. Opening windows for ventilation is a good way to ensure the bedding stays dry. After getting up, do not rush to fold the bedding. It is best to turn the bedding upside down, then open the windows to let the bedding breathe and promote the evaporation of moisture in the bedding, avoiding the breeding of dust mites and mold.
During cooking
Chinese cooking methods such as frying and stir-frying produce a large amount of smoke and harmful substances from the ingredients at high temperatures. These substances can cause strong irritation to the nasal, ocular, and pharyngeal mucosa, and can lead to respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. Moreover, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide may be released during the combustion of coal and natural gas. Therefore, when cooking, not only should you turn on the range hood, but also open windows for ventilation. It is best to create air circulation, and continue to open windows for at least 10 minutes after cooking to avoid the accumulation of smoke in the home. The range hood should be turned on before cooking and kept on for 5 minutes after cooking.
After taking a shower
After a shower, the bathroom is filled with steam and has high humidity. It must be ventilated and dried in a timely manner, otherwise a large amount of mold can easily grow, posing a threat to health. If the bathroom has a window, it should be opened promptly after taking a shower, and the bathroom door should be opened to ensure air circulation. If there is no window, it is necessary to install a powerful and efficient exhaust fan. After a shower, the bathroom is filled with steam and has high humidity.
After renovation
Formaldehyde is the number one killer of indoor pollution. After renovation, areas with more use of board materials such as wardrobes and cabinets will continuously release pollutants such as formaldehyde into the indoor environment for several decades. If there is an odor in the cabinets, you can open all the cabinets, wardrobes, bookshelves, and drawers during the day when you go out. At the same time, open the windows slightly to allow the pollutants to fully dissipate. If you feel that indoor pollution is severe, you can also open the kitchen and bathroom doors, turn on the exhaust fan, range hood, or air conditioning ventilation function to accelerate the dispersion of pollutants.
During cleaning
When cleaning the room, it is the time when pollutants in the indoor air are most concentrated. When you clean the sofa, mattress, or carpet, a large number of bacteria, dust mites, and dander hidden in them will float in the air. The use of a vacuum cleaner will also stir up pollutants. At this time, it is best to wear a mask and ensure windows are open for ventilation to avoid inhaling fine particles. It is recommended to perform wet cleaning first when cleaning, such as wiping the tabletop and cabinet surface with a wet cloth, to reduce the floating particles in the air.
Before going to bed
Opening windows for 15 minutes half an hour before going to bed can not only avoid air pollution from vehicle exhaust and factory emissions during the day, but also increase the oxygen content in the air, which is beneficial for sleep. When opening windows, try to keep the elderly and children away from the windows. When sleeping, do not tightly close the bedroom doors and windows to avoid oxygen deficiency affecting sleep. You can open the door or window slightly to allow fresh air to enter the bedroom. If the window is facing the head, it is better to use curtains or other coverings to avoid direct airflow.
Opening windows not only can freshen the indoor "dirty" air in a timely manner, but also can prevent the occurrence of certain diseases, especially during the above-mentioned seven time periods when it is more important to open windows for ventilation.
