The theme of late is doom and gloom.

I’ve been posting about disastrous pesticides, asthmatic ingredients in house cleaners, and scolding you for missing routine cleanings on your to-do lists.

Rest assured, this post is a refresher!

That is also a literal statement, as today we will be learning how to make VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other air pollutants bite the dust!

According to NASA, indoor air pollution can be  up to 12x greater than outdoor air.  We can thank our carpets, vinyl, plastics, cabinets, soaps, mattresses, paints, and just about every furnishing in our homes for that statistic.  According to Science Daily, VOC’s are directly related to various neurological disorders, cancers, and reproductive issues.

So aside from cleaning with safer ingredients and dusting and vacuuming regularly, what’s a home owner or renter to do? The answer: Plant. Science Daily explains that plants purify the air by absorbing gases, converting it to energy via photosynthesis, growing, and repeating the process. The healthier the plants get, the larger the capacity they have to absorb gases.

Here is a list from HealthLine.com sharing the best plants to help you breathe easy:

1. Peace Lily

Eliminates: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia, and more

2. Dracaena

Eliminates: formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, trichloroethylene

3. Chrysanthemum

Eliminates: formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, ammonia

4. Bamboo Palm

Eliminates: formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, chloroform, and more

5. Golden Pothos

Eliminates: formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and mo

6. English Ivy

Eliminates: benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and more

7. Chinese Evergreen

Eliminates: benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene,  and more

8. Areca Palm

Eliminates: benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and more

9. Rubber Plant

Eliminates: carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and more

Remember plants can be poisonous, too!

If you have children or pets, make sure the plants you choose are non-toxic.

References:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104140816.htm

http://www.healthline.com

http://www.livescience.com/38445-indoor-plants-clean-air.html