Do you love coming home to a sparkling clean house as much as we do? It’s a great feeling, with great rewards. Having a clean home is directly correlated to being healthier overall; physically and mentally! Often when we think of cleaning our homes, the first things that come to mind are the most obvious- the dust, grime and dirt. Reducing this trio of indoor contaminants is a great start to a healthier life as it helps reduce the amount of allergens and the spread of bacteria and viruses.

But what about the pollutants that are harder to see? Did you know that there could be harmful substances all around you right now that are completely invisible?

We are talking about the air pollution inside your home, which often contains volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds are gases that are emitted from certain hazardous liquids and solids. VOCs can be released from household items such as paints, glues, dry-cleaned clothing, and non-organic cleaning materials. There are literally thousands of items and products which may be creating these dangerous compounds right under your nose. When VOCs are released, they can become trapped in the air in your home, which is then inhaled by you and your family.

VOCs can have both long-and short-term negative health effects and can contribute to what some call “sick building syndrome”. This is when poor indoor air quality is blamed for a wide range of conditions such as skin irritations, headaches and overall fatigue.

Indoor air pollution is a much bigger issue than most people realize. In 2012, the World Health Organization estimated that 4.3 million premature deaths per year could be traced back to the air quality in people’s homes. A very concerning figure when coupled with the fact that the majority of us spend upwards of 90% of our total time living indoors.

How Do I Fight Indoor Air Pollution and VOCs?

 Who is your best friend when it comes to cleaning the air in your home? Mother Nature, that’s who.

Most are aware that plants and trees take in CO₂ and emit oxygen, which is great for us humans who require oxygen to survive. A less known fact is that plants can naturally leech the air of harmful substances, such as VOCs. 

What Plants are Best?

Although all plants, flowers and trees are great additions to a home or an office, there are some that are better at their jobs than others. Below is a list of some greenery you can pick up to make the air you breath fresher and cleaner!

1.Dracaena Fragrans (The Corn Plant)

Dracaena’s do a wonderful job at improving air quality, and typically thrive indoors. In the wild, these plants typically grow in hot and dry locations, which allows them to go extended periods of time without water. Some substances a corn plant can filter are benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and xylene but be careful as they can be toxic to pets.

2. Guzmania Lingulata (The Scarlet Star)     

The scarlet star is much more colourful and tropical than the corn plant. This type of    bromeliad can bloom for many months indoors. These beautiful red flowers are one of the best natural air fresheners you can buy and will definitely catch the eye of visitors!

3. Chlorophytum Comosum Vittatum (Spider Plant)

Another star at removing xylene and formaldehyde is the spider plant. These plants are great for beginners as they can go for long periods of time without care, and as an added bonus, they produce shoots with flowers that can eventually grow into more spider plants to be shared with friends and family.

 Honourable Mentions:

Although they didn’t make our top three, all these plants are also great at removing harmful pollution from the air, while making your living space more colourful and vibrant.

• Peace Lily
• Aloe Vera
• Garden Mums
• Weeping Fig
• Bamboo

After picking up a few plants off this list, you will be able to breath easier knowing your home or office is a cleaner and safer place for your family and co-workers!

Need some help with the rest of the cleaning? Contact our team and All About Details Cleaning today!