Page 33 - Silver Lakes June 2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

and moisture in areas where there is solution of baking soda dissolved in water
limited ventilation is key to preventing and scrub the area with a brush. After the
or eliminating mould. Use an extractor mould is removed, try to ensure that the
fan when cooking and get an indoor area is always kept dry and the room is well
dehumidifier if you feel that there’s too ventilated.
much humidity in any of your rooms.
INDOOR PLANTS
Regular cleaning to eradicate dust and As you probably know, the reason why
mould spores is essential. Clothes should indoor plants are often found in large
ideally be dried outdoors – and make sure office complexes actually has little to do
that all your linen, towels and clothes are with the aesthetics of the interior décor. It’s
fully dry before packing them away. because indoor plants are used to improve
the air quality in corporate environments.
If there are any plumbing or roof leaks,
don’t leave them thinking that you’ll get When choosing indoor plants, it’s a good
around to fixing them one day – attend idea to choose plants that are fairly low
to them as soon as you notice them. The maintenance. You also need to determine
sealant around sinks and baths should whether they will have to survive in
likewise be removed and replaced as soon moderate or low light conditions, or
as you see there is degradation or any gaps whether you have a good spot where they
in the seals. can get some sunlight during the day.
HOW TO REMOVE MOULD Most nurseries have a wide variety of
The professionals advise that whoever indoor plants to choose from. Here are
will be removing the mould should wear three of my favourites.
rubber gloves, a breathing mask and
possibly even transparent goggles to Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata
protect them from any airborne mould Laurentii). Native to southern Africa, the from the air. It’s easy to propagate and it’s
spores. If the item covered in mould is Snake Plant is known to be hardy, provided said to have medicinal qualities. As it is
moveable, it should be taken outside and you don’t overwater it. It’s best to plant it in drought-tolerant, it does not need a lot of
cleaned in the open air. a terracotta pot so that the soil can dry out water. It prefers to grow in bright, indirect
and breathe after watering. Try to rather light.
Natural mould removal products include water it from the saucer at the bottom of
white spirit vinegar, baking soda, lemon the pot, instead of at the top. It prefers to Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Wallisii). The
juice, and hydrogen peroxide. grow in bright, indirect light conditions. Peace Lily will grow in low to medium light
Keep out of cold drafts in winter. conditions in well-drained soil. It produces
White vinegar works best when it’s white ‘flowers’ which are actually bracts
undiluted. Use a spray bottle and let it Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra). The that grow behind the tubular flowers.
soak into the mould. Leave for about an Spekboom can grow outdoors and Being drought-tolerant, these plants do
hour before wiping the surface. If there indoors. This miracle plant has the not like to be over-watered.
is still evidence of mould after that, use a reputation of removing loads of carbon
SOME FINAL TIPS FOR IMPROVING THE
AIR IN YOUR HOME OFFICE
Yes, I know you’re working from home,
so your rules rule – but how about not
smoking indoors? Also, do move dirty
dishes to the kitchen and dispose of half-
eaten food in your outdoor bin or on the
compost heap (for fruit and vegetables),
if you have one. Empty your waste bins at
least once a week, wipe the dust off your
furniture – on the dusty Highveld, that
should maybe be every second day – and
clean your floors/carpets once a week.
With researchers proclaiming that indoor
air pollution is more harmful than what’s
outdoors, looking after the air that you
breathe in your home office may be more
important than you think. Exposure to
pollutants and improper ventilation may
even have a long-term effect on your
health.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/
houseplants/

INTRA MUROS JUNE 2021 31