When it’s too hot outside or you’re looking for a screen-free way to spend a summer afternoon, crafting indoors can feel like the perfect solution. Whether it’s finger-painting with kids, organizing your scrapbook, trying a TikTok resin trend, or tackling that home DIY project you’ve been putting off, indoor crafting is a go-to summer activity.
But many of the materials used in common crafts, even those labeled “kid-friendly” or “non-toxic”, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These invisible chemicals can linger in your space and impact your health, especially when ventilation is limited and you're using multiple products at once.
Let’s talk about why indoor summer crafting might be contributing to poor air quality indoors, and what you can do to keep your air cleaner while keeping your creativity flowing.
What Are VOCs and Why Do They Matter?
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are gases released from certain solids or liquids, often the kind you use in crafting, building, and cleaning. These gases can come from:
- Markers and permanent pens
- Craft glues, adhesives, and sealants
- Paints, solvents, and varnishes
- Aerosol sprays and fixatives
- Resin kits and epoxy
- Fabric dyes and cleaners
Many of these materials release pollutants through off-gassing from glue, paint, household cleaners, and other common products. Even when labeled “non-toxic,” these items can contain VOCs like formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and xylene, some of the most common and harmful indoor air pollutants. When released, they build up quickly in closed environments.
And let’s be real, most of us aren’t crafting in a wind tunnel. Whether you're in a bedroom, basement, or living room, the VOCs released can hang in the air long after your project is done.
Common Symptoms of VOC Exposure
You don’t need to be using industrial glue to feel the effects. Regular use of crafting supplies can still lead to noticeable VOC exposure and symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Nausea
- Itchy eyes or throat
- Brain fog
- Skin irritation
And with repeated exposure over time, VOCs may even contribute to more serious health issues like respiratory illness or organ damage.
That’s why it’s important to think about how to reduce indoor air pollution, especially during activities that seem harmless on the surface.
What Are the Most Common VOCs in Crafting Supplies?
Here are a few examples of what might be in your creative toolkit:
- Formaldehyde – found in adhesives, glues, and pressed wood products
- Benzene – present in paints, glues, and markers
- Toluene – found in solvents, permanent markers, and nail polish
- Xylene – used in sealants, spray adhesives, and inks
Even if you’re only using one or two of these materials, VOCs add up quickly, especially in smaller rooms or on days when you can’t open a window due to heat or outdoor pollution.
Are Air Purifying Plants Enough?
You might be wondering if adding a few houseplants could help clean the air. While air purifying plants are a nice touch, their impact on VOC removal is limited. Even the best air purifying plants for bedrooms, like spider plants or peace lilies, can’t keep up with the spike in pollution caused by crafting.
If you’ve ever searched, do air purifying plants actually work, or can plants replace air purifiers, you’ve probably seen mixed answers. The truth is that while plants for air quality improvement can absorb small amounts of VOCs, they aren’t enough to handle off-gassing from typical craft supplies.
A Smarter Solution: Supercharged Plant-Based Air Care
At Neoplants, we’ve developed a more powerful way to clean your air that works continuously and doesn’t rely on machines or filters.
We created Power Drops, a bioengineered solution that can be added monthly to your existing houseplants or used as part of our Neo Px system, a complete plant-based air purifier designed for indoor environments.
These bioengineered plants are supported by microorganisms specifically formulated to break down formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene, and recycle them into harmless organic compounds. When used regularly, Power Drops can make your plant up to 30 times more effective at reducing VOCs than a decorative plant on its own.
Whether you're crafting all summer or just once in a while, this system offers natural, science-backed support for the air you breathe.
How to Improve Air Quality at Home While Crafting
Here are a few easy ways to keep your air safer, especially if you're planning safe crafts for kids, pets, or yourself:
- Choose low-VOC or non-toxic craft supplies whenever possible
- Craft in a well-ventilated area or near an open window or fan
- Avoid aerosol sprays when indoors
- Take breaks to air out the room after projects
- Use Power Drops monthly on houseplants for added protection
- Place treated plants near your crafting area to reduce VOC exposure where it happens
The Bottom Line
Crafting is a joyful, creative part of summer, but it can also quietly introduce indoor air pollution through off-gassing and chemical exposure. Whether you're painting with your kids, using glue in a DIY project, or organizing your home with labeled storage bins, the air you breathe deserves just as much attention as the project in front of you.
Neoplants is here to help, with Power Drops and the Neo Px system, you can clean your indoor air naturally using plant-based air purifier solutions that are safe, effective, and easy to use.
Let your creativity flow without compromising your air. Try Power Drops or explore Neo Px today.