Are you worried about the quality of your home’s air supply? Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their indoor air filters aren’t very helpful in cleaning the air. The most important function of a filter is to protect the equipment providing conditioned air to the home. Gases and tiny particulates are often able to continue in the airstream. Additionally, the efficient home sealing achieved in modern construction can lead to retention of industrial pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene. Natural air cleaning with indoor plants can help.
The Natural Approach to Achieving Clean Air
Household plants do a lot to brighten the atmosphere of a home. They also benefit homeowners through the absorption of various gases. The most recognizable example is in the use of carbon dioxide. Plants use the gas in the process of photosynthesis, emitting oxygen as a result. This natural filtration can also take place with other dangerous gases that would otherwise remain unchecked in your home’s airstream. Consider the following plants as indoor air quality boosters:
- Gerber daisy – the flowering plant blooms in a variety of beautiful colors, enhancing home decor while filtering pollutants like trichloroethylene and benzene
- Chrysanthemum – many blossom colors are available, ensuring that you can coordinate with your interior design while improving filtration of benzene, a material found in products like detergent, glue and paint
- Azalea – found in a variety of shades of pink, the shrub’s flowers provide beautiful household accents while combating formaldehyde
- Peace lily – the exotic appearance of the blooms are spectacular for use in sophisticated home decor, and the plant is effective at battling the most common volatile organic compounds on NASA’s list, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde
- Aloe vera – the succulent is already well-known for its healing gel, and it combats both formaldehyde and benzene
- Golden pothos – an attractive green plant that is perfect for hanging baskets or high shelves, it is effective at eliminating formaldehyde
- Snake plant – another plant that helps in the fight against formaldehyde, snake plant is exotic in appearance and thrives in humid conditions and low light
- Spider plant – a resilient plant that can thrive with little attention, the spider plant combats carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene and formaldehyde
- Weeping fig – excellent for dealing with formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, the weeping fig is a beautiful indoor plant for sophisticated decor and entry areas
- Chinese evergreen – easy care allows you to reap the benefits of toxin removal without worrying about maintenance
Need More Information About the Toxins in Your Home?
Gentry Heating can assist you in evaluating your indoor air quality by taking air samples and having them analyzed. While plants are excellent for dealing with many of these toxins, we can also provide you with mechanical solutions to use in connection with your plants to achieve cleaner indoor air in your home. Germicidal air cleaners, for example, are great for attacking cold and flu germs as well as mold. Call our Hendersonville, NC representatives to learn more about indoor air quality solutions.
