Now that spring is here, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is approaching, it’s especially hard to be stuck inside. The weather is warming up, and the outdoors are looking pretty appealing right now.
If you’re missing being out in nature, why not bring nature to you? Houseplants make a great addition to any home and are surprisingly beneficial to your mental health.
As a green cleaning service, we support anyone who wants to have an eco-friendly home – even if that’s by bringing plants into your home! Here are some of our top reasons why houseplants are a great addition to your home.
1. Plants can help clean the air in your home
While we all know that outdoor air is polluted due to vehicles and other reasons, the air inside your home can also be polluted. Traditional cleaning products, for instance, emit a lot of nasty, toxic chemicals into the air. If your home is a closed environment, you definitely don’t want to be breathing in things like bleach and ammonia.
This is a huge reason why we as a maid service choose to use green cleaning products, such as baking soda and vinegar. It helps reduce your exposure to toxins within your own home, helping you live a healthier, happier life.
But if you’re looking to further reduce toxins, mold spores, and bacteria in your home, you may be wondering if plants will do the trick.
Scientists have wondered the same thing. In the 1980s, NASA enclosed a variety of houseplants in sealed experimental chambers. They filtered in ozone and recorded how well and how quickly the houseplants cleaned the air.
The results of this test were amazing: in under an hour, some plants filtered up to 60 percent of the toxins from the air. Other subsequent studies have come to similar conclusions.
However, there remains the question of how transferable the results of the study are to your real life. For one thing, your home is not an airtight laboratory setting. A few plants in your living room might not have the same effect as a laboratory.
Still, even if they’re not cleaning 60 percent of your air, it doesn’t hurt to have a few around anyway. They’re still cleaning your air, and they have many other benefits. Just know that it’s probably not a foolproof way to keep you from getting sick. You’re better off keeping your home clean, regularly washing your hands, and following any CDC advice.
2. Plants can boost your mood, even when you’re working
There’s something about nature that’s healing to people. Being outdoors is great for your health.
But as it turns out, you don’t physically have to be on a hike or camping to get benefits from nature. You can even gain benefits from something as simple looking at a scenic nature photo. There’s a reason why the default desktop background on your computer is a natural landscape.
Physical plants in your office are beneficial too. Studies conducted in offices around the nation concluded that those who work in offices with plants and windows are far more content and happy than those who don’t, up to 24 percent.
If you’re working from home these days, consider rearranging your home office setup. If possible, position your desk near a window. Place a few plants nearby. While this won’t change the fact that life isn’t normal right now, it can really help to make your work environment more pleasant.
3. Plants can improve your productivity and concentration
Plants don’t just help you feel happier. Several studies have found that they have other benefits, including improving your:
- Problem-solving abilities
- General well-being
Making your home greener can really help you out. While you might not be able to head to the office, a plant makes a good coworker while you’re at home.
4. Taking care of plants is a rewarding activity.
It seems like the days blur together when the kids are home, and you can’t do a lot of your favorite activities.
Caring for a plant doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it’s worthwhile to see it grow and thrive. It can also be a rewarding activity for your kids – a lesson in biology and responsibility all in one.
Even if you don’t have the time or space for a proper vegetable garden outside, there are some easy-to-grow plants that can thrive indoors with just a little attention. Try basil and other herbs, which you can then incorporate into dinner. This has the added benefit of being one less item for you to get on your grocery store run.
5. Some extra tips from our maid service
Plants are clearly good for your state of well-being, but be sure to take care of your home too. Take a few minutes to make sure your home and your plants are living comfortably with each other with these tips.
Use saucers to avoid water rings. Water damage can cause discoloration and staining on wooden surfaces. Make sure to put saucers under each pot to catch drips and excess water.
If your plant drops any leaves, petals, or debris, be sure to clean it up. While most plant matter won’t affect your home’s surfaces, sometimes things like pollen or flower petals can unexpectedly stain. While we can offer you green cleaning tips on how to get stains out naturally, it’s better to avoid them in the first place.
Use plants as an excuse to get rid of clutter and make your home tidier. Plants can provide an excuse to get rid of some of your extra items, since it’s hard to take care of a plant when it’s surrounded by clutter. Recycle that pile of old magazines on your coffee table and replace it with a more attractive fern. Or rearrange your items to give your plants a nice sunny spot to live.
As a special series, we’re making April “Earth Month” here on the Maid to Clean blog. We believe in green living, no matter what. Stay tuned for more ways you can help the Earth this month, even if you’re at home.