Can indoor plants improve air quality?
Well, no. But yes. It’s complicated.
You see plants don’t purify indoor air. At least, not the way that a typical air purifier does, using filtration to remove gross stuff from the air. Research does show that plants have a limited ability to lower concentrations of certain gases and chemicals from indoor air. But just in really, really, really small quantities. To achieve the kind of indoor air quality you’d be looking for, you’d honestly have to have a rainforest in your home. And while that would be incredible, it’s highly unlikely.
So what do I do about my IAQ?
By all means, feel free to invest in a few more ferns. But here are some other ways you can improve your home’s air quality:
- Invest in an air quality monitor
It helps to know what you can improve when you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
- Use an air purifier
Everyone can breathe easier when you know you’re pumping pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal space.
- Limit activities that introduce chemicals into your indoor air
- Use green-cleaning chemicals
- Don’t burn wood inside
If you do, make sure to use a wood stove that has a filter.
- Regularly ventilate your home or building after cooking or cleaning
So what did we learn? Using plants will do little to clean your indoor air, while changing your indoor habits can drastically improve your IAQ. With newer, energy-efficient homes and buildings circulating less fresh air, making informed, intelligent decisions about your indoor lifestyle is an increasingly important part of making sure you’re always breathing the cleanest possible air.
Need to improve your IAQ? Just call your local Louisville or Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.
