# How effective is baking soda at reducing odours? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 23, 2010, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459 "2010-03-23T11:38:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/21 "2010-03-24T11:01:37Z")
> [@cornflakes](#): > > (I’m assume that what you’re talking about are called jockstraps in the US.) You guys wear jockstraps on your feet? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/22 "2010-03-24T17:30:00Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > The release of CO2 results in a bubbly action which cleans. I do the baking soda and vinegar in my kitchen drains too, but I don’t know how great that actually works for odour reduction. I will tell you, however, that it is great fun. 🙂 **Psychonaut** , the only change I made that resulted in a decrease in the smell in here was putting out the baking soda (I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s a little dish of it in each room). Hey, baking soda’s cheap enough; buy a box and give it a go. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/23 "2010-03-24T20:54:31Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I do the baking soda and vinegar in my kitchen drains too, but I don’t know how great that actually works for odour reduction. I will tell you, however, that it is great fun. 🙂 > > **Psychonaut** , the only change I made that resulted in a decrease in the smell in here was putting out the baking soda (I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s a little dish of it in each room). Hey, baking soda’s cheap enough; buy a box and give it a go. I didn’t say it eliminated odors, but it does do a good job at cleaning, or, if it doesn’t, it looks like it does. I get a 13.5 pound bag from Costco for a few bucks. I also put some in a paper cup filled with water and leave my toothbrush in that. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/24 "2010-03-25T04:27:30Z")
I freaking love baking soda. Not only does it absorb odours, but as above, it does a good job cleaning. I clean our shower with it instead of using a harsh granula cleanser like Comet or Ajax. I use it to brush my teeth with on occasion. It cleans jewellery. It cleans the kitchen sink. I sprinkle it in my shoes if it’s summertime and I’m not wearing hose. I use it in my bathwater to soothe skin. It has a jillion uses. It’s great stuff, I tell ya. You can also bake with it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/25 "2010-03-25T06:09:22Z")
I’ve left an open box of baking soda in the fridge for as long as I can remember, having been taught it will reduce if not eliminate odors. And when I change it, I dump it down the kitchen sink, having been taught it will help keep the pipes clean. I’ve always wondered how true all of this was, but I still use the stuff. Old habits die hard. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459/26 "2010-03-25T06:53:27Z")
I know that I’ve used baking soda in carpets to get rid of odor and it works to some degree. My son is… well he’s hit puberty so his room smells. His cat also likes to pee in places in his room. Putting down a few layers of baking soda then vacuuming seems to help abate the smell. I also put a small handful in the bottom of the garbage can, I know that definitely works help absorb garbage smell. I do think I will make a baking soda/vinegar volcano out of the sink when I get home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-baking-soda-at-reducing-odours/533459.md?page=1)