Baking soda is a real-life cheat code, and it makes for one of the simplest cleaning tools in the home. What’s more, it is also non-toxic, ecological, and relatively cheap. The powder works by neutralizing many odor compounds rather than masking them. Put simply, baking soda makes previously unpleasant areas smell like new.
That chemical reaction makes it surprisingly effective in everyday spaces. Even better, you often do not need to scrub. The best approach is simply to leave baking soda in place. Over time, it works its magic, absorbing moisture and odors.
If you want to be amazed, consider leaving some baking soda in these places, and say “Goodbye!” to those smells your home doesn’t deserve.
Garbage Disposals
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Americans are unique in that they have access to garbage disposal units: technology rarely seen outside the continent. However, it comes with drawbacks, namely, lingering odors from the food residues that build up. Of course, baking soda is a great weapon for combating this issue.
Yet, did you know that there is a Robin to baking soda’s Batman in the quest to rid the kitchen of this evil menace? American Home Shield reveals all in a useful garbage disposal care post. “Sprinkle about a half-cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white or apple cider vinegar,” it reads. After leaving for five to ten minutes, “turn on the disposal and run cold water to distribute the mixture and flush it through the unit.”
Refrigerator Shelves
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After cleaning out my fridge, the first step I take is leaving an open container of baking soda toward the back. Here, food odors can quickly build up inside the closed space, and the only thing more depressing than spoiled food is having to smell it.
Leaving baking soda in the fridge helps absorb those smells before they spread, and Better Homes & Gardens goes one step further. “To boost its odor-trapping ability, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and place it on one of your refrigerator shelves,” writes Jessica Bennett. “Refresh with new baking soda as needed to keep your fridge smelling nice and fresh.”
Carpets and Rugs
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Carpets trap odors from pets, shoes, and spills. Baking soda works well here because it absorbs smells from the fibers, taking away that unwanted rustic atmosphere. Sprinkle a light layer over the carpet and let it sit for a while before vacuuming.
Cleaning experts say patience makes the trick effective. Laundry expert Ashley Kidder explains the process in The Spruce. “Baking soda absorbs odors instead of masking them,” she writes. “You don’t need much. A thin dusting works better than dumping it on.”
Trash Cans
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Garbage bins collect food waste and moisture, which quickly leads to unpleasant smells. A small layer of baking soda at the bottom of the bin can help neutralize those odors before they spread. The powder absorbs smells that develop between trash changes.
Cleaning advice from Good Housekeeping recommends the simple trick. “Clean it by sprinkling in baking soda or using a deodorizing pack or pod, like Fresh Wave,” advises Good Housekeeping’s Amanda Garrity. It is a simple process: replace the powder each time you change the trash bag, and smells shall never emanate from the trash again.
Inside Shoes
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We all know how unpleasant well-used shoes can become as they collect moisture and bacteria throughout the day. That combination can create stubborn odors, but there is a cheap way to prevent this.
“Baking soda literally absorbs them,” states an Apartment Therapy guide. Leaving baking soda inside footwear overnight is a surefire way to avoid letting your shoes become too “antisocial”. Better still, mix the powder with any cologne or fragrance of your choice for the home run. Simply shake the powder out or vacuum the shoes the next morning.
Mattresses
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Mattresses are one of the home’s silent bacteria magnets: they slowly absorb sweat, body oils, and moisture. Over time, that can lead to stale odors that can be hard to remove, but sprinkling baking soda across the surface helps draw those smells out. The powder should sit for several hours before vacuuming.
A cleaning direction page from Sleep Foundation insists on first scrubbing the mattress by hand, letting it dry before the final step. “Once applied, simply leave the baking soda on the mattress for at least a few hours,” it says. “If possible, open your bedroom windows to increase airflow.” Anyone attempting this method will need a decent vacuum cleaner to suck the dried, odor-bashing powder up later.
Kitchen Drains
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Like their hard-working garbage disposal neighbors, kitchen drains collect grease and food particles. These materials often cause unpleasant smells. Baking soda can help deodorize the drain when left briefly before rinsing: the powder works as a mild odor neutralizer.
The spiritual home of baking soda is arguably Arm & Hammer, so where better than going there for advice? “To keep drains fresh, regularly sprinkle a little baking soda in them while running hot water,” reads the company guide. For more aggressive measures, use a vinegar-based solution, just like with the garbage disposal.
Dishwashers
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Dishwashers are misnamed because they are more for rinsing and sterilization, not washing per se. Moreover, any food stuck on containers, plates, or cutlery can block the filter. They can develop a musty smell over time because some users fail to clean food detritus from their items prior to use. Before long, the dirty cutlery and crockery leave their mark in the form of offensive aromas.
Thankfully, a small amount of baking soda left in the machine between cycles can help neutralize those odors and keep the interior fresh. Advice columnist Heloise notes that the trick is simple but effective. “Sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between uses will definitely help to control odor,” she writes for the Herald Star.
Closets
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Closets often trap stale air because they remain closed most of the time. Anyone who has opened a grandparents’ old wardrobe will remember the heady funk of stale air.
Naturally, our baking soda friend helps absorb musty smells, and housekeeping advice from Martha Stewart highlights the benefit. The approach is like with a fridge: “keep baking soda in a vented jar … refreshing the powder every month or so.” One small container can last several weeks to a month in larger enclosed spaces.
Pet Bedding
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“Start off by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over the entire bed,” writes Courtenay Hartford of Creekline House. “If you want a little extra freshness … you can add something with a nice fresh scent to the bed as well.”
While pet owners can become desensitized to the impact pets can have on their living space, it isn’t the case for visitors. Pet beds absorb fur, moisture, and everyday smells,
all alleviated by baking soda between washes. Simply sprinkle the powder over the bedding and allow it to sit, and vacuum the bedding afterward to remove the powder.
Microwaves
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Microwaves often hold onto strong smells from burned popcorn, fish, or heavily spiced leftovers. Because the appliance is sealed, those odors can linger long after cooking.
Some home cleaning guides recommend combining baking soda with water and heating it briefly so the steam can help lift stuck food. “Place two tablespoons of baking soda in a microwave-safe bowl … the baking soda will absorb the odors while the steam loosens caked-on food,” states B+C Guides. After heating the mixture for a few minutes, wipe the interior with a cloth and allow the appliance to air out before the next use.
Under Kitchen Sinks
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There are few worse places in the home than under the sink. The combination of dead air and dampness wins the worst aroma prize, hands down. Cabinets beneath sinks develop this smell from moisture or plumbing leaks.
Therefore, leaving some baking soda inside the cabinet is a no-brainer: the powder neutralizes the odor molecules lingering in the air. Home improvement site Bob Vila recommends the simple approach. “Pour at least one cup of baking soda into a shallow container.” Replacing the baking soda occasionally keeps the cabinet smelling fresh. This method spells good news for plumbers everywhere.
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