# Why is baking soda a deodorant?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-baking-soda-a-deodorant/90211>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 29, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-baking-soda-a-deodorant/90211 "2001-10-29T02:01:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![choosybeggar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-baking-soda-a-deodorant/90211/1 "2001-10-29T02:01:51Z")

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From [Arm and Hammer:](http://www.ahperformance.com/products/sobi.html)

Baking soda

> [@](#):
>
> reduces odors chemically by neutralizing the acid by-products of bacteria.

So if I put an open box of it in my fridge, it works by deprotonating adsorbed acidic odorants? Would any weak base work? Are all (most?) important household odorants acidic? Is there really enough air exchange between the refrigerator compartment and a little box for it to be effective in this regard?

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**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-baking-soda-a-deodorant/90211/2 "2001-10-29T07:14:50Z")

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I always thought that baking soda simply adsorbed the molecules responsible for smells. Its finely ground, so lots of surface area is available. Activated carbon would be better, but more expensive.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-baking-soda-a-deodorant/90211/3 "2001-10-29T07:51:24Z")

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Baking soda is good because it can neutralize both acids and bases. It is known as a buffer. It can very readily absorb or donate protons while not changing its pH very much. Any chemical that buffers to near neutral pH would work in a similar fashion.

That said, I don’t discount the role that the baking soda being in powder form plays. I am sure it certainly helps get the oder molecules near the baking soda molecules.