A Hack For Keeping Your Home's Air Fresh All Winter, From An Environmental Toxins Expert

As winter weather sets in and we crank up the heat for the season, the air in our homes can quickly become stale, and maybe even a little musty. It's no secret that breathing in fresh air is important to overall health, so how do we get it in the wintertime? We asked an expert, and her hack couldn't be easier.

And voilà—your home's air should get a quick refresh, without ever getting too unbearably chilly (or hard on your heating bill). Adler says just a few minutes of open windows can do wonders for our home's circulation and overall air quality. And given that keeping windows constantly closed can result in a buildup of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), allergens, and other irritants, it's well worth it to get some fresh air in.

Last but not least on the home air-quality front: Always open your windows if you're cooking with a gas stove, Adler says, to prevent indoor air pollution.

When we're cooped up inside all day—with the heat on, no less—there's more opportunity for dust and other allergens to settle in our homes. We still need fresh air, even when it's cold outside. So, if you notice the air quality in your home is seemingly subpar, go ahead and open up those windows one by one and feel the difference right away.