You may not know it, but there are a number of toxic chemicals that are lurking in the air in your home. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to get rid of these toxic chemicals. However, there is on prevalent chemical that is not easy to rid your home of.
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Formaldehyde, is a volatile organic compound. It is emitted in low levels by many furniture and building products. It is a common component of many glues that are used to hold particleboard or pressed wood cabinets and furniture together. It also can be emitted by carpet glues, caulks, paints, furniture finishes, sealants, as well as natural gas stoves.
Formaldehyde can cause cancer, and may trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks when it is present in higher levels. There have been government regulations put in place that reduce the amount of formaldehyde that can be used for particleboard furniture and insulation, but the number of products found in a home that can emit this organic compound makes it hard to avoid.
There is some good news. There are several plants available that you can use throughout your home in order to purify the air. These plants have been discovered and researched by NASA and found to remove formaldehyde.
Here are 7 plants that you should consider placing in your home to help remove formaldehyde as well as other toxins from your home.
1. Boston Ferns
Boston ferns are extremely good and highly efficient at removing indoor air pollutants. These plants are excellent at removing formaldehyde as well as xylene and benzene, both of which can enter your home if you have an attached garage.
2. Palm Trees
Palm trees will remove harmful toxins from the air in your home and they are quite easy to care for. The dwarf date palm is a good choice for your home. It is similar to the palm trees that you see in tropical climates.
Other types of palm trees to consider for your home include: bamboo palm, Parlor palms, lady palms, and areca palms.
Palm trees prefer temperatures that are within the sixty to 75 F degree range.
3. Rubber Plants
If you have a space in your home that needs cleaner air as well as touch of nature, a rubber tree is the perfect answer. These trees do not require much sun, but may grow a bit more slowly with low light levels.
Rubber trees are aesthetically pleasing and are great for removing harmful chemicals from the air. Another option is the Janet Craig. These trees are similar to rubber trees and will withstand a bit more abuse.
4. English Ivy
English Ivy when grown outdoors is invasive and can damage the exterior of your home. However, when you bring it inside it is effective at removing toxins from the air.
It has the ability to climb up structures, which makes it a perfect decorative element to your living space.
English ivy prefers partial sun and shade, so it is a good plant for indoors because it is not as temperamental as the fern. To keep it healthy during the winter simply water it occasionally during the winter months.
5. Peace Lilies
The Peace Lily is one of the few plants that will bloom while kept indoors. It is a lovely plant to keep inside as the spathes will bring a bit of summer into your home during the dreary winter months. A peace lily is good at removing formaldehyde as well as benzene and some types of VOCs that come from harsh cleaning products. This makes it a good office plant if the maintenance staff does not use green cleaners.
Peace lilies prefer lower light conditions and will help humidify the air. One important note about this plant is the leaves are poisonous if eaten by children or pets.
6. Golden Pothos
This plant is great for those who are not great at keeping plants alive. It can tolerate a lot of neglect and is forgiving when it is over watered. The Golden Pothos can remove many air pollutants from your home.
For those that are new to indoor gardening, this is a great plant to start with. Often times, golden pothos are mistaken or sold as a philodendron. These plants are related and are also good at removing toxins from the air.
7. Flowering Air Purifiers
If you are looking for a flowering plant to purify the air in your home, Gerbera daisies and florist’s mums are great choices Tulips are also a good choice. However, when it comes to these plants you have to be diligent with their care. They will require careful feeding and watering. These plants also prefer temperatures of around or below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.plant into a container garden outdoors and then move it inside in the fall. These flowers can be bred to produce flowers all winter and are great at removing toxins.
Conclusion
During the winter months when your windows are closed, your house can become filled with toxins. Choosing one of the above plants to have inside your home can help remove many of these toxic chemicals that are found inside your home.
These plants can help filter the air in your home, which in return can mean cleaner air for your to breathe. When you are breathing air that is cleaner you are less likely to become ill during the winter months.
