No one looks forward to house cleaning. It's dirty, the chemicals are often toxic (unless you make your own cleaning solutions), and it's time-consuming. But there is one delightful cleaning product that many of us forget about: house plants.

Houseplants can significantly reduce the number of unhealthy pollutants and bacteria in the air. In fact, a NASA Report found that plants are impressively effective at removing cancer-causing toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from a small space.

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, indoor air quality is one of the top five risks to the public's health, so using these plants can give you and your family a leg up. Additionally, as a result of their large releases of moisture vapor, plants add humidity to the air, which helps with respiratory conditions.

Interestingly, plants release roughly 97% of the water they take in through their roots. Plants also increase oxygen levels and refresh the air at night, making breathing easier. This process is thanks to the reverse relationship plants have with oxygen and carbon dioxide. More specifically, during photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, whereas people do the opposite.

The benefits of detoxifying plants do not stop there. They are known for increasing the rate of time in which medical patients heal and are linked with patients having lower blood pressure and heart rates. Scientists have found that they even reduced flu-like symptoms like headaches and sore throats. What's more, detoxifying plants have been found to enhance the attentiveness and attendance of students.

When it comes to detoxifying your home or workspace, there are specific plants that a person should consider. These recommended plants include:

Aloe Vera: This plant absorbs chemicals in the air and develops brown spots, signaling the chemical levels are high.

aloe vera house plant detoxify house

 

Purple waffle plant: It is known for being one of the top detoxifiers as it helps remove the top five pollutants found in houses, which include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Areca Palm: This plant releases a significant amount of oxygen into the air, restores moisture in the winter, and is excellent at removing formaldehyde.

Peace lily: This plant is known for removing formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene in the air.

 Rubber plant: This plant removes formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia in the air.

Snake plant: This plant filters benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene out of the air.

  Tips for getting started with house plants:

  • Place a large plant (which reaches a pot size diameter of at least 8 inches) every 129 feet apart within your house to improve the health of your surrounding environment.
  • Place about 16 plants reaching a pot size between 6-8 inch diameters every 100 square feet within your house to cleanse the air.

Return the favor to your houseplants by using PittMoss Plentiful Organic Potting Mix to keep your planting healthy. When you help them flourish, the air in your house stays cleaner!