If you suffer from a stuffy nose or sneezing in your home or office, one culprit may be your plants. If indoor plants aren't rinsed or wiped down regularly, they will become a haven for dust mites and other allergens.
Dust and the ensuing dust mites; cockroaches; pet hair, fur, or feathers; mold; and pollen are all potential allergy triggers. Plants unfortunately can't help with most of these, though some of them can help regulate the humidity in your home, which then helps decrease mold growth.
A Plant in the bedroom can absorb harmful gases through the pores in their leaves, filtering and cleaning the air you breathe every day. Not only do bedroom plants have many health benefits, but they also add a nice touch of decor and bright energy to any indoor space.
It's fairly common to hear, "you shouldn't keep houseplants in the bedroom because they're not safe". This is based on the fact that most plants will release Carbon Dioxide and absorb Oxygen from the air while you're sleeping.
Plants in the bedroom: the disadvantages
During the day, the plant exhales much more oxygen than it inhales, thus providing fresh air. However, at night the plant cannot photosynthesise due to the lack of light and therefore the plant takes up more oxygen.
Some studies have found that houseplants release negative ions that trigger the release of serotonin, which is known to relieve stress and anxiety. So, not only will you sleep better, but you'll wake up happier too!
A good damp mopping and dusting will go a long way towards eliminating 90 percent of the dust in your home, and plain water is just about as environmentally friendly a cleanser as you can find. A damp rag or mop captures and holds dust, which can then simply be rinsed down the drain.
Houseplants may or may not really help reduce indoor air pollution — the jury is still out. But even at their best, they won't substitute for keeping pollution out of the air in the first place. Cleaning up pollution once it is in the air is extremely difficult.
The bedroom is the space you spend the most time in, so the power of plants can impact you the most in the bedroom. Plants can bring in life and nature energy. Some feng shui practitioners do not recommend plants in the bedroom because the wood element also has an aspect of upward and expansive energy.
A valerian plant will look beautiful in your bedroom thanks to its small pink and white flowers. Aside from the sweet scent, valerian plants have been used for centuries to help with sleep problems including insomnia. Inhaling the scent of valerian root has been shown to induce sleep and improve the quality of sleep.
Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle.
The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Just like hot temperatures, freezing cold temperatures also kill dust mites. For more delicate fabrics or items that cannot be washed (such as silk or lace) freeze them. Place the items in a clear plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the dust mites completely.
Unfortunately, keeping your windows open will not reduce the amount of dust in your home; in fact, doing this could increase it. There is a lot of dust in the air outside, which is comprised of dirt, sand, pollen, spores,'bits' of insects and a great deal more.
A buildup of dust in your home is often the result of poor airflow. A combination of poor airflow and infrequent cleaning can lead dust and dust mites to settle comfortably into several areas in your home. “Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, and upholstery,” Dr. Cajigal says.
You don't have enough ventilation.
But if your filter is dirty or clogged up with pet dander, dirt, or other air pollutants, it won't do a good job of collecting new dust that pops up—which would end up settling on your bedroom's surfaces. The fix is simple: Change the air filter.
Which Vastu plant for home is considered lucky for the bedroom ? Lavender plant is a symbol of cleanliness and purity. Its fragrance creates inner peace; thus, it is known for creating a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. Bamboo, Jasmine, Snake, and Peace Lily are some other Vastu plants for bedrooms.
In a separate study, researchers found that lavender improved slow-wave sleep, the deep sleep stage in which the heartbeat slows and muscles relax. So if you introduce a lavender plant for bedroom improvement, not only will it look great and smell great, but you'll sleep deeper too.
Decorating your bedroom with live, fresh, and thriving houseplants strengthens the energy of one particular feng shui element: wood. Wood is associated with wealth, family, and new beginnings. For homes overfilled with the Metal element, bringing plants into your sleep space can help adjust the balance of the elements.
The actual number you should have in your bedroom again varies depending on how many of you are sleeping in there. But as a general rule of thumb, follow the recommended NASA amount of having at least 1 plant per 100 square foot.