Detoxify Your Home

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Article Written By: Johan Jansen van Vuuren
Store manager @ GardenShop Menlo Park

Air pollution affects our lives on a daily basis. And although there is not much we can do about it as individuals when we’re in open and public spaces, in our homes, we can make a significant difference to the air we breathe on a daily basis.

We have put together a list of indoor plants that you can use as a ‘Home Detox Plants’. These plants are proven to filter toxins from the air in your home. These toxins originate from cleaning products, plastic bags and many other everyday consumables that we use in our homes every day.

 

The toxins we find in our homes include the following:

  • Formaldehyde- Plastic bags, Paper towels, Floor cleaners, adhesives and gas stoves.
  • Benzene- Detergents, Dyes, Paints and rubbers.
  • Trichloroethylene – Used to make degreasing solvents
  • Xylene- Cleaning products
  • Alcohols
  • Acetone
  • Benzene
  • Ammonia

Many of these plants purifying properties were discovered by NASA in the late 80’s when they were searching for ways to clean the air on the space station. Thus, with NASA’s stamp of approval, you are sure to purify the air in your home with these plants and as an added bonus, the soil you are using will further assist because of the micro-organisms that will also help remove toxins from the air.

 

Home Detox Plants Include:

  • Areca Palms
  • Spathiphyllum: One of the best plants to have in your home, and proven by NASA to remove the most common pollutants from your home like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
  • Sansevieria sp. (Mother in law’s tongue): Not only removes toxins from the air, but having them in your bedroom can help with a more restful night sleep.
  • Philodendron sp: Some of these species do very well planted in hanging baskets
  • Ficus elastic (Rubber plants): can be found in different colours.
  • Dracaena
  • Chamaedorea (Bamboo palm): This palm effectively removes benzene from the air. It is also used to manufacture dye, lubricants and rubbers.

So head to your nearest GardenShop
to stock up on your air purifying plants!

 

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