Rubber tree

This species absorbs water through its roots and expel it through pores on the underside of its leaves. The more foliage it has and the larger the size of its leaves, the more moisture it will release.

Place it near a tree if possible. The rubber tree requires a well-lit environment and can withstand a few hours of direct sun exposure per day, as long as the sun is not too bright. When it comes to watering, try not to overdo it. Water the substrate until it is almost completely dry.

Boston fern

It’s a popular houseplant that’s often grown in hanging baskets or similar containers. It has the ability to absorb formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Although the fern prefers partial to full shade outside, it does not grow in shade indoors and prefers bright filtered light. It requires a lot of water, good soil, and a lot of space to grow.

Sansevieria trifasciata

The cow’s tongue, donkey’s ears, mother-in-law’s tongue, or snake’s tail, as it is known, has the ability to purify the air and regulate the temperature of the spaces where it is found, especially during the nights, when the microscopic pores of its leaves open to transpire.

This species is very resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions, such as dry and hot air, scarce watering, and little light. It is recommended to water only when the substrate that was last used dries out.

 Pothos

This vine is capable of regulating temperature, as well as eliminating indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene.

As an indoor plant, it can reach several meters in height if given adequate support. Best results are achieved by providing it with medium indirect light. It tolerates intense luminosity, but long periods of direct sunlight burn the leaves. Generally, it only needs watering when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Ribbon plant

The ribbon plant, also known as spider ivy, is a plant that can improve air quality and quickly absorb heat to balance the temperature of the room in which it is located.

Indoors, the ideal location is in a well-lit room that is not directly exposed to the sun’s rays. They should maintain a constant humidity level by watering twice a week during the warm months. During the winter, one watering per week or every ten days will suffice.

Aloe vera

The aloe vera or aloe vera plant, known for its cosmetic and medicinal uses, is ideal for refreshing the environment of your home because it can regulate the temperature.

Maintaining an aloe vera plant is simple because it is a low-maintenance plant. Water it only when the soil appears dry or cracked, and no more than once a month in the winter. It necessitates a lot of light, so it is critical that you place it in a location where it will receive the most sunlight, such as near a window.

 Peace lilly

The spathiphyllum or peace lily is a plant that can absorb excess moisture and thus normalizes the temperature. For it to develop in perfect conditions, put it in a warm place, away from direct sunlight. Water it with distilled or rain water to keep the soil moist. You can fill a sprayer and water it daily.

Areca palma

It is one of the plants with the greatest air purifying power because it significantly reduces formaldehyde and benzene levels in the environment. It requires shade or partial shade to thrive. The plant tends to wilt if it does not receive enough light.

A two-meter-high plant transpires one liter of water through its leaves every 24 hours, so it does necessitate some attention. The root ball (the soil that surrounds the roots) should always be kept moist, but not soggy.

 Aglaonema

It is an easy-care plant that thrives in low to medium light conditions. It generally grows less than half a meter and helps remove harmful toxins from the household air. At the same time, it humidifies indoors and cools the temperature. There are many leaf varieties of this plant; if your goal is to cool the environment, choose one with lush foliage. It is important to consider that its leaves contain an irritant that can be toxic to pets.

Never use metal pins to clean the charging port.

Metal objects, like pins, knives, or paper clips, can scratch your phone’s port and create more problems for you. One of the best 2 options is a toothpick, which is small enough to fit inside the port and clean all the edges. The second option is an air compressor that can blow out all the dust and debris. Avoid blowing with your mouth inside the port since your breath contains water particles that can cause more damage.

Don’t leave your phone exposed to the sun

Some of you might find it convenient to charge your phone while resting it by the window. However, this is pointless since your phone will probably take longer to charge as sun exposure slows down the charging process. Not only that, but the screen will absorb heat very quickly and start glitching unexpectedly. In the worst-case scenario, your phone can overheat massively and shut down in order to protect itself.

Don’t let the battery reach 0% before charging it

The best battery life percentage is anywhere between 20%-80%. You should never let your phone drop to 0% before charging it, and filling it to over 80% might strain the battery. The ideal scenario would be to charge it to 50%, so half of the lithium ions are in the lithium cobalt oxide layer and the other half are in the graphite layer. However, this may not be very practical for many of you, so keep 80% as your ceiling.

Don’t put your phone under water too often, even if it says it’s water-resistant

Some manufacturers will say that your phone can live just fine underwater, but this comes with a few exceptions. It’s not recommended to take your phone in any water with you for no reason. It should be fine if it accidentally falls in a puddle or gets wet in the rain, but it won’t be smart to keep it underwater for a long time. 5-30 minutes is a reasonable amount of time.

However, you might need to avoid dipping your phone in water often. Exposure to humidity can cause hardware damage that will cost you a lot of money, if not a new phone entirely.

Don’t download apps from unverified stores

Many people try to download apps from sketchy shops for free so they won’t have to pay for the original versions. However, they don’t realize that by downloading the app, they also download harmful malware. That’s why you should stick to official app stores that have ratings and reviews for all apps. For additional help, make sure that your anti-virus program is on so it can detect any malware trying to enter your device.

Don’t use household cleaning products to clean your screens

If you were wondering whether you could use a window cleaner for your laptop, the answer is a big “no!” The chemicals in it, especially ammonia, are way too harsh for your screen to handle. That’s why you need a cleaner made for screens or simply water and a microfiber cloth. The best way to apply either of them is to first wet the cloth and then rub it gently on the screen.

Also, you don’t want to apply too much pressure on the screen since it can cause dead spots. Lastly, don’t use paper towels under any circumstance, since they will scratch your screen.

Have you happened to make any of the aforementioned mistakes? If the answer is yes, will you consider breaking these bad habits?

Don’t charge your phone overnight

Mobile phone manufacturers, like Apple, say that it’s harmful to leave your phone to charge overnight. That’s because your phone will stop charging once it reaches 100%, and once it reaches 99%, it will need to put forth double the effort to recharge. Also, as mentioned above, most manufacturers say that it’s best to charge a phone up to 80%, something that won’t happen if it’s plugged in all night long.

Don’t keep your computer’s keyboard dirty

Whether you have a laptop or a desktop, you might have noticed that through time, dust, hair, and crumbs get stuck in the keyboard. This problem gets even worse if you have a pet at home or if you eat over your computer. And it’s not bad just for the keyboard but mainly because of the fans that put forth double the effort in order to operate properly.

That being said, it’s important to reduce the amount of dust and other debris that gets in your computer in the first place. You will also need to clean your working area and your computer as often as possible.

Don’t take any gadgets with you to the bathroom

Bringing your phone into the bathroom is not only unsanitary, but it can also be hazardous to both your phone and yourself. When you get up from the toilet, your phone may slip out of your grasp and fall into the water, destroying it. You could also keep it charging next to you while you take a relaxing bath. A minor blunder can result in the phone and charger falling into the tub, resulting in a fatal electric shock.

The refrigerator is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It provides a safe and convenient place to store food, and it puts ice-cold beverages at your fingertips. You already know that your fridge is great for preserving leftovers and dairy products, but you might not know that some food items actually go bad when kept at cold temperatures. Keep reading to find out which things you should never put in your fridge.

Tomatoes

If you don’t want your fresh tomatoes to taste like cardboard, don’t put them in the fridge. Once harvested, tomatoes continue to ripen and develop flavor, but only when kept at room temperature. A big chill stops the ripening process and dulls the flavor. Store fresh tomatoes on the countertop, out of direct sunlight. If you grow your own tomatoes, snip off a bit of the vine when harvesting. The attached vine helps keep the tomato fresh longer and gives it better flavor.

Uncut melons

Chilling whole melons—whether watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew—takes up way too much room in the fridge. More importantly, keeping these mega fruits in the icebox halts the ripening process, meaning they won’t be as tasty as if they’d been kept at room temperature. Chilly temps also reduce the healthy antioxidants found in melons. Keep these fruits on the countertop until they’re ready to eat. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Raw Potatoes

Don’t dump that bag of spuds in the crisper drawer! Frigid temperatures alter the starchy complex carbohydrates found in raw potatoes, giving them a sweet taste and a gritty mouthfeel when cooked. For the best flavor and texture, store raw potatoes in a well-ventilated basket or drawer, out of direct sunlight.

Unripened Mangoes

Let whole, uncut mangoes hang out on the counter to ripen. Once they’re ready to be cut and eaten, you can store them in an airtight container placed in the fridge.

Honey

Due to its high sugar content, honey, a natural preservative, needs no refrigeration. In fact, popping that honey bear in the fridge virtually guarantees you won’t be able to squeeze out the golden goodness. When refrigerated, honey hardens and crystalizes, so store it on a shelf in your pantry. If you already made the mistake of refrigerating it, don’t toss it out. Place the honey bottle in a pan of hot (not boiling) water until it returns to its liquid state.

Onions

The chilly temps and high humidity of the fridge wreak havoc on onions, breaking down their fibrous structure, and leaving them mushy and prone to mold growth. For the best flavor and texture, store onions in a well-ventilated, dark, and cool (not cold) spot. An open-weave basket in the pantry is optimal.

Bread

Store your bread in a bread box or on a cabinet shelf, but not in the fridge. Refrigerating bread slows mold growth but makes the bread tough, chewy, and stale-tasting. If you know you won’t use the whole loaf before it goes bad, wrap the excess in freezer paper and store it in the freezer for up to one month.

Green Avocados

Many avocados available at the grocery are green and hard, and need a couple days to ripen before they’re ready to eat. They’ll only ripen, though, if you keep them out of the fridge. The only time you should refrigerate an avocado is when it’s completely ripe but you’re not ready to use it. Then, refrigeration will give you an additional day or two before it goes bad.

Fresh Garlic Bulbs

Nothing adds flavor to Italian dishes quite like fresh garlic, but if you store the bulbs in the fridge, don’t be surprised if they sprout bitter green shoots. Another danger, garlic bulbs are prone to mold growth in the humid conditions of the fridge. For the best taste, store fresh garlic in a dark, well-ventilated spot. You can store leftover minced garlic in the fridge for a day or two, but the flavor can’t compare to freshly minced cloves.

Open Food Cans

Once opened, don’t store a partially filled food can in the refrigerator. While the cold temps will keep the product from spoiling for a little while, the food can develop a metallic taste due to metal acids that leach into the food from the can itself. The best way to store unused canned food, is to transfer it to a separate airtight plastic food container and then refrigerate.

Unripe Bananas

Like other fruits on this list, bananas will continue to ripen at room temperature—but when put in the fridge, the ripening process stops. Store unripe bananas on the countertop, out of direct sunlight. You can put a fully ripe banana in the fridge for a couple of days, but don’t be alarmed when it turns black. The blackening occurs due to the banana skin’s ethylene content, which undergoes a chemical change when subjected to cold temperatures.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is stable at room temperature for up to two years, so there’s no need to store it in the fridge where it becomes hard and virtually impossible to scoop out. Unlike some oils that remain liquid at cool temps, coconut oil contains a high percentage of saturated fats, which causes it to solidify in the refrigerator.

Basil

To keep your basil fresh, leave it on the counter with its stems submerged in a cup or vase of water as you would with cut flowers. If you were to stick basil in the fridge it would absorb the smells of the other foods, and its leaves would turn black.

Cucumbers

The saying might be “cool as a cucumber,” but cukes are actually quite sensitive to the cold. The crisp greens fare best when left at room temperature.

Peaches

Unripened peaches should be left on the counter until they are slightly soft and have a sweet fragrance. After that you can keep them in the refrigerator, but only for a day or two. Juicy peaches dehydrate when left in the fridge for an extended period.

Coffee

If you want to savor your cup of aromatic coffee in the morning, don’t store the beans in the fridge. An open package of coffee is subject to condensation in the cold temps of the fridge, which zaps flavor. Additionally, fresh grounds will absorb the odors of other refrigerated foods, making your coffee taste off. For the best tasting cup of Joe, store your coffee in an airtight container at room temperature in a dark place, such as inside a cabinet.

Whether you fancy floral, fruity, herbal, or grassy aromas, there’s a potted plant that can impart it. What’s more, University of Georgia research shows that many houseplants may reduce indoor pollutant levels and banish airborne contaminants like volatile organic compounds.

Before you head off to the garden center to scout out new houseplants, there’s one caveat: Several of the most delightful aromatic plants are toxic to cats and dogs, capable of causing skin irritation, stomach upset, and even death if consumed in large quantities. We’ll point out the ones that the ASPCA says homes with pets should avoid as we reveal 14 awesome aromatic plants, and offer tips to keep your indoor garden looking and smelling its best.

Mint! 

If sweet, flowery perfumes aren’t your speed, move in some mint (Mentha)—a perennial herb first used in ancient times as a room deodorizer. Its bright serrated leaves add a refreshing fragrance and can bring flavorful zing to foods and drinks. Spearmint is among the most popular of a spectrum of types. Give mint well-draining soil and an east-facing window, and keep it moist without overwatering.

Mint must: Pinch off any buds you notice immediately, since they add no scent but may indicate that the plant is getting leggy. The essential oil in mint is toxic to dogs and cats, likely to cause stomach issues if eaten in large amounts.

Enjoy Jasmine

Can’t escape to an island paradise? Bring a tropical vibe home with the sultry scent of jasmine. While not all varieties have a fragrance, white jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) does, and it will bloom and scent your space all winter. Despite its rich, heady aroma, which is similar to gardenia, it’s not particularly finicky. It likes porous, well-draining soil, a somewhat humid environment, and a decent amount of light (which needn’t be direct sun). Consider putting jasmine in a hanging planter; as a vine, it will grow into beautiful twining trails.

Love That Lavender

Lay in some lavender (Lavendula), close your eyes, and inhale: You’ll feel like you’re in Provence, France, where the purple flowers blanket fields and fill the air with a unique essence that’s floral, herbal, and woodsy all at once. The scent is well known for its relaxing properties, so it is a great choice for a bedroom or wherever you chill out at home. Treat your lavender plant to loads of light, keep it out of drafts, and allow it to dry a bit between waterings. Alas, lavender is toxic to cats and dogs.

Bring Home Some Hoya

To reward yourself after a long day, come home to hoya (Hoya carnosa). Its striking star-shaped flowers emit a sweet scent that can fill a room, and the aroma comes on even stronger in the evening. This tropical plant is easy to grow and totally low maintenance—simply water when the soil feels dry, as well as misting with water regularly to supply the humidity it craves. As a vine, hoya does great in a hanging planter to drape your digs in flowers and fragrance.

Bloom on with Begonia

Blooming season? What blooming season? Tea Rose Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) produces pretty pink flowers all year long and enhances any room with a subtle scent. A fairly hardy plant that’s a good choice for a novice indoor gardener, Tea Rose Begonia can do just fine with partial sun but it does appreciate humidity. Plant it by itself or add it to a container garden and admire its good looks and dainty aroma. Warning: Begonias can be a serious problem for pets.

Treat Yourself to Tuberose

Bold and beautiful in both scent and appearance, tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is not a houseplant for the faint of heart. Its strong sweet smell has made it a popular perfume ingredient for centuries. A tropical plant, it should receive direct sun and ample water. Tuberose grows on a long, tall stem, and gardeners recommend cutting some stems during the flowering phase. This will make the plant more productive and allow you to bring a bouquet into another room. Too bad tuberose is a poor choice for pet-friendly homes—it can sicken cats and dogs.

Lighten Up with Lemon Balm

If you like the citrusy smell but don’t have the space or patience to cultivate an indoor lemon tree, try lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). This tidy perennial herb not only imparts the pleasantly tart aroma of its namesake, its bright green leaves bring a fresh taste to soups, salads, and other recipes, making it a super choice for the kitchen. Lodge it in a sunny window, using slightly sandy, well-draining soil, and don’t overwater.

Scent with Citrus

It’s easy to envision vast groves of oranges, limes, and lemons, but citrus trees (members of the Rutacae family) can do quite well on their own indoors. Small white blossoms and their fruit bring an unmistakable sweet-tart scent that’s present yet not overpowering. Citrus needs lots of light and ample watering with well-draining soil.

Choose south- or southwest-facing window and a lightweight planter made of nonporous material, which will retain a bit of moisture and serve your citrus the extra humidity it loves. While cats and dogs dislike citrus and might simply avoid it, the plants are toxic to pets.

Inhale Heliotrope

The sweetness of heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) recalls vanilla, though some fans claim its clusters of dark purple flowers emit hints of baby powder and cherry pie. It takes its name from the sun god Helios, so no surprise the plant insists on a sun-drenched spot. Plant it with basic potting soil in a fast-draining pot and to keep heliotrope extra happy, lodge it in a somewhat humid area, especially in winter. Pets should be safe around heliotrope, though the ASPCA rates it as toxic to horses.

Liven Up With Eucalyptus 

Folks who say “feh!” to flowery smells may give the thumbs up to eucalyptus, which is a member of the myrtle family. The oil in its leaves has a camphorous pungency known to open the sinuses, so it’s the perfect plant for a study or home office to clear out brain fog and enhance focus.

Eucalyptus is easy to grow, thriving in indirect light or full sun, and can tolerate cool temperatures. Let the soil dry a bit between waterings and prune it regularly to maintain a full, bushy appearance. Pet people, take note: The ASPCA says eucalyptus is a no-no that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and (surprisingly) depression in cats and dogs.

Indulge in Plumeria

You might just be compelled to host an indoor luau with plumeria (Plumeria rubra) blooming indoors—its large, sturdy petals are often used in Hawaiian leis. It comes in a host of colors and fragrances as well, from tangy citrus to sweet honeysuckle and rose. Plumeria is a shrub, so it demands a large planter and occasional pruning to keep in shape.

Place plumeria where it can soak up ample sun and, while watering every few days in fall and winter should be adequate, this tropical stunner gets thirstier in summer. Sorry, animal lovers! Plumeria—in particular its white, milky sap—doesn’t belong in a home with pets.

Swoon over Passionflower 

As befitting its intricate bloom and romantic name, the blue and purple passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) has a seductive yet relaxing fruity-floral scent. The plant is a perennial woody vine that does best with lots of sun, ample humidity, and moist but well-draining soil. It can get a bit unruly, so prune it back before it sprawls all over the place; pruning will also foster more frequent blooms. While the ASPCA doesn’t list toxicity information for passionflower, various other sites claim it is not poisonous to humans or house pets.