Here’s a really depressing thought: everywhere you look, there’s pollution. Not always in harmful doses, but always there.
Next on the list of not-so-fun facts is this: you can’t just leave pollution behind by stepping inside Indoor Air your house and shutting the door behind you. You bring it with you on the soles of your shoes. Certain products are made with toxic substances; certain carpeting, for example, is made with formaldehyde. And so on.
Air pollution is one of the biggest problems we as a community face – here, and around the country. And while you can’t make your home air pollution free, you can come awfully close. Here’s how:
- Don’t use chemical cleaning products.
- Don’t allow smoking in your house.
- Leave your shoes by the door and ask guests to do the same.
- Clean your AC and furnace filters often.
- Purchase a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and vacuum at least once a week, including furniture with fabric.
- If dust bothers you, cover your mattress and box spring in plastic.
- Open your windows to properly vent your house while letting fresh air inside.
Put them all together, and you’re starting to build an effective barrier against indoor air pollution.
House Plants Can Help Too
Some house plants attract and feed on bacteria that otherwise is contributing to your air pollution problem. Here are a few varieties that are particularly effective:
Areca Palm
NASA research found that the Areca palm is one of the most efficient air humidifiers among all indoor plant species and can transpire nearly one-quart of water in 24 hours. Place them in bright, filtered light to avoid leaf burn, give them plenty of water, and prune occasionally to keep them thriving.
Boston Fern
Thought to be one of the oldest plants still around—ferns have been found as fossils—the Boston fern is a reliable, easy-to-care-for houseplant. Best displayed in a hanging basket or on a pedestal, this plant needs frequent misting and watering to say healthy, but it will reward you with added humidity
Peace Lily
The peace lily is a flowering perennial with a high transpiration rate. They prefer filtered light and moist, well-drained soil. Do not place peace lilies in direct sun as their leaves burn easily.
Extra Help from Eagle
No air cleaning method is more effective than a whole-house air filtration system. Here at Eagle Services Company, we offer multiple solutions, including in-duct air filters that can attract more than 99% of dirt, dust, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants passing through your ducts on the wings of conditioned air. Contact us today for more information and a free system proposal.
