When it comes to keeping your bathroom or laundry room fresh, most people reach for air fresheners, deodorizers, or harsh chemical sprays.
But what if there was a natural way to clean the air, reduce mold growth, and make the room smell fresher – without a single chemical?
Enter the peace lily (Spathiphyllum). More than just a pretty indoor plant with its signature white blooms and glossy green leaves, the peace lily is a hardworking natural purifier.
Placing one in your bathroom or laundry room could improve air quality, reduce mold spores, and help your home feel cleaner and healthier.
Why Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms Need Peace Lilies
High Humidity = Mold Growth
Bathrooms and laundry areas are naturally damp environments. Moisture lingers after hot showers, baths, or even from drying clothes.
This creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can cause musty odors, allergies, and respiratory issues.
Chemical Exposure
These rooms are also places where household chemicals build up – detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, shampoos, deodorants, and sprays all release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
Long-term exposure can affect indoor air quality and health.
Limited Ventilation
Many bathrooms and laundry rooms lack good airflow. Without windows or strong ventilation, humidity and toxins remain trapped indoors.
This is where peace lilies shine. They thrive in low light, high humidity, and actively clean the air while discouraging mold growth.
How Peace Lilies Fight Mold
The peace lily is often called a “natural dehumidifier” plant. While it doesn’t replace an actual dehumidifier, it helps regulate moisture levels in the air.
- Absorbs Humidity: Through its leaves, the peace lily pulls in excess moisture from the air, reducing the dampness mold needs to thrive.
- Traps Mold Spores: Its broad, glossy leaves can catch airborne mold spores, preventing them from spreading.
- Root Zone Microbes: The soil around the peace lily houses beneficial microbes that break down mold spores and bacteria naturally.
Pro Tip: Place your peace lily close to the shower or laundry machine where steam builds up. It will soak up moisture and keep mold under control.
Peace Lilies as Natural Air Purifiers
One of the most famous studies on indoor plants, NASA’s Clean Air Study, found that peace lilies are among the top houseplants for filtering toxins.
Here are some harmful pollutants peace lilies can absorb:
- Benzene: Found in detergents, paints, plastics, and cigarette smoke.
- Formaldehyde: Released from cleaning products, synthetic fabrics, and pressed wood furniture.
- Trichloroethylene: Common in laundry products and adhesives.
- Toluene & Xylene: Found in detergents, nail polish, and fabric care products.
By neutralizing these VOCs, peace lilies make your bathroom and laundry room feel fresher – without artificial sprays.
Extra Benefit: Natural Air Freshener
While peace lilies don’t release strong fragrances, their ability to reduce mold, absorb toxins, and balance humidity leaves the air smelling fresher.
Add in their elegant white flowers, and you’ve got a plant that doubles as both purifier and décor.
Some varieties even release a light floral scent when in bloom, adding a touch of nature’s perfume to your bathroom.
How to Care for Peace Lilies in Bathrooms & Laundry Rooms
The beauty of peace lilies is that they’re low-maintenance and perfect for beginners. But if you want them to thrive and bloom, follow these care tips:
1. Lighting Needs
- Peace lilies thrive in low to medium indirect light.
- Bathrooms without windows: Use a fluorescent or LED grow light.
- Avoid direct sun – it can scorch their leaves.
2. Watering Schedule
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- In humid bathrooms, water less often.
- In laundry rooms (less humidity), check soil weekly.
- Drooping leaves are a sign they’re thirsty – they bounce back quickly after watering.
3. Humidity Preference
- Peace lilies love humidity, making bathrooms perfect.
- If your laundry room is dry, mist the leaves occasionally.
4. Temperature Range
- Keep them in 65–80°F (18–27°C).
- Avoid cold drafts or heaters nearby.
5. Fertilizing
- Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.
- Stop fertilizing in winter when growth slows.
6. Cleaning Leaves
- Dust and moisture can clog leaf pores.
- Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks.
Styling Peace Lilies in Bathrooms & Laundry Rooms
Peace lilies aren’t just functional – they’re stylish too.
Here are a few placement ideas:
- Next to the Bathtub or Shower: Helps absorb steam right where it’s produced.
- On a Shelf: Adds greenery while keeping plants away from pets.
- In Hanging Baskets: Great for small bathrooms with limited floor space.
- Laundry Room Corner: Softens the look of appliances and absorbs detergent fumes.
- Double Plant Décor: Place one near the shower and another near the washing machine for maximum effect.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overwatering: Peace lilies don’t like soggy soil; root rot kills quickly.
- Too Much Sun: Leaves scorch under direct sunlight.
- Ignoring Dust: Dirty leaves block the plant’s ability to purify air.
- Crowded Pots: Peace lilies like space – repot every 2–3 years.
A Secret Trick for Nonstop Blooms
Most people struggle to get peace lilies to flower again. My grandma taught me this simple trick:
Homemade Bloom Fertilizer – Mix 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt + ½ teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of water. Water your peace lily once a month with this mix during spring and summer.
- The magnesium in Epsom salt boosts chlorophyll production.
- Baking soda helps neutralize soil acidity, encouraging blooms.
With this trick, peace lilies can bloom multiple times a year – even indoors!
Health Benefits Beyond the Bathroom
Keeping peace lilies indoors benefits more than just air quality:
- Better Sleep: Cleaner air in your home reduces allergies and improves rest.
- Stress Reduction: Studies show indoor plants lower cortisol (stress hormone).
- Natural Décor: They bring calming greenery to sterile spaces like bathrooms.
You don’t need expensive gadgets or harsh chemicals to fight mold, absorb toxins, and freshen your bathroom or laundry room. A simple peace lily can do the job—naturally.
These plants thrive in humidity, require little care, and add timeless elegance with their white blooms.
Place one near your shower, washing machine, or even in a hanging basket, and you’ll enjoy cleaner air and fewer mold problems.
