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The Surprising Link Between House Plants and Air Quality

2 min read

When we think of air quality, we tend to think of outdoor air quality. Smog, ozone, chemicals from manufacturing plants. But did you know that indoor air quality is ranked among the top 5 health concerns by the Environmental Protection Agency?

The Pollution Problem

The air inside our houses is constantly being polluted, with particles from building materials, furnishings, and even air fresheners. Among the most common pollutants are formaldehyde, dander, and dust mites.

Your first line of defense is to crack a window to let some fresh air in from the outdoors. But this isn’t always practical, especially during the cold of winter or the heat of summer. So how do you keep your air clean? If you’ve read the title of this article, you know. Houseplants!

How Houseplants Help

NASA investigated the issue of keeping indoor air clean and found that there are certain plants that do a tremendous job of this. Beyond transforming carbon dioxide back to oxygen, plants can remove many harmful substances from the air, including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and even ammonia. Having 1 houseplant per 100 square feet is optimal, but even just 2 or 3 in your home can have a positive effect.

The Best Plants to Use and Where to Place Them

Among the best plants for improving your home’s air quality are:

Whether large or small, plants need light to grow. Generally, it is best to put plants near windows. Small plants may fit well on a window sill, while large plants can be placed on either side of a sliding door, for example. Be careful to watch the plant after it has been placed, and be prepared to relocate it depending on how well it fairs at its given location.

House plants are essential in the fight against pollution in your home. So while you’re considering your home improvement needs, keep houseplants in mind to help keep your air safe and clean.

Contact Window World of Youngstown for Your Home Improvement Needs

It’s important to ensure that the environment in your home is healthy, pleasant, and economical. That’s where Window World of Youngstown comes in. To learn more about how to improve your home, contact Window World of Youngstown with any questions. We’re here to help!