By Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing
It’s time to start your spring cleaning so we wanted to bring you a few plants to help you clean the air in your home!
Our blog on Whole-Home Air Cleaners explained how the air in your home is full of pollutants. So, why not beautify your home while cleaning your air too! In fact, NASA conducted a Clean Air study in 1989 to determine which plants are the most effective at combatting Volatile Organic Compounds and harmful chemicals such as:
- Formaldehyde. Found in particleboard and upholstered furniture, carpets, cigarette smoke, plastic tableware, and natural gas. It can cause allergies, mucous membrane irritation, asthma, and various skin diseases.
- Trichloroethylene. Found in printing inks, paints, lacquers, carpet and fabric cleaners, and chlorinated water. Tetrachloroethylene is a strong carcinogen that causes eye and skin irritation, damages the liver and kidneys, and provokes psychomotor agitation.
- Benzene. Found in paint, lacquers, varnishes, cleaning products, liquid soaps, rubber, and cigarette smoke. This carcinogen that accumulates in adipose tissue can cause leukemia, nervous excitement (like that caused by alcohol), shortness of breath, and convulsions. It also lowers blood pressure.
- Ammonia. Found in computer parts, cigarette smoke, and household cleaners. It causes a dry and sore throat and cough, provokes chest pain, as well as swelling of the larynx and lungs.
- Xylene. This is used to make plastics, paint, lacquers, and glue. Xylene can also be found in vehicle exhausts, leather products, and tobacco smoke. It’s irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Here’s a list of some indoor plants to add to your décor to help purify the air in your home. And we made sure to only include the plants that were non-toxic to dogs and cats, to keep your furry friends safe!
- Areca Palm
- Bamboo Palm
- Banana Palm
- Barberton Daisy
- Boston Fern
- Dendrobium Orchids
- Dwarf Date Palm
- Kimbereley Queen Fern
- Moth Orchids
- Spider Plant