Fresh air, without the traffic fumes
Open windows at the right time
Fresh air is good for you, even in London. The trick is choosing when and which window to open.
- 1
Avoid rush hour on busy roads
Traffic fumes peak roughly 7–10am and 4–7pm on weekdays. If you live on a main road, keep road-facing windows closed then.
- 2
Use the quiet side
Open windows at the back of your home, away from the road. They let in cleaner air.
- 3
Check the map first
There's no single safe hour every day. Glance at your area on this site before opening up.
- 4
Air every room briefly every day
A sealed home traps damp, cooking fumes and gases. Open opposite windows for 5–10 minutes to swap the air quickly.
- 5
Turn on the fans
Use the kitchen fan while cooking and the bathroom fan during and after showers. They push dirty air straight outside.