Clean the Air in Your Home the Green Way

Are you a neat freak, or does your home have that comfortable “lived in” look? While a little dust probably won’t kill you, over time, the quality of air in your house just might!

Before you go out and purchase an expensive mechanical air-cleaner though, invest in a little greenery. The common houseplant makes for one incredibly efficient (not to mention pretty) filtering system and can clean up to 100 square feet per plant.

I’ve got a number of green plants scattered throughout my home absorbing all sorts of chemical nasties: formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia are but a few of the toxic compounds commonly found inside a house.

Live plants not only improve the quality of the air you breathe, but they also attract vital energy and positive chi. An interior designer will suggest the use of plants to bring warmth and interest to a space; but beware — in the world of Feng shui it’s bad mojo to group more than three plants in one area.

So why not bring a little of the outside in? My meditation room is full of soothing green plants to help create a peaceful atmosphere; and the dracaena I bought in memoriam for my buddy Harlow is a beautiful living reminder of one cool dog.

Peace lilies, English ivy and Boston ferns are some of the easiest plants to grow; no green thumb required! And if your home is starved for light, the snake plant, philodendron and dieffenbachia all are a safe bet. Keep in mind that some plants are poisonous to pets, so read up first!

Take advantage of what NASA coined “nature’s life support system” and give the air in your home the once over with the help of pollution-absorbing plants.

You might still have a house full of clutter, but you can proudly proclaim the air is clean!

Attention asthma and allergy sufferers! Add some plants to your interior landscape and see if it doesn’t make a difference! —Karen