I put bowls of baking soda under every bed in my house for 14 days. This is what happened

As the days progressed, the rooms continued to smell fresher. The most significant change was in the guest room, which had had a persistent musty smell due to infrequent use. The change was less pronounced in the children’s rooms, which frequently experience a mix of smells from toys, snacks, and daily activities. Nonetheless, there was a subtle improvement, particularly in the mornings, when the air was noticeably crisp and clean.

Aside from general odors, I was interested in whether baking soda could tackle specific issues such as dust and pet smells. While the presence of dust did not significantly change, the rooms felt less stuffy. The pet smells, especially in the room where our dog often sleeps, were reduced. The musty corner of the guest room seemed to have lost its characteristic odor, suggesting that the baking soda was effective in more targeted areas as well.

One unexpected side effect was the absorption of moisture by the baking soda. In one of the rooms with high humidity, the baking soda clumped together slightly, indicating its moisture-absorbing properties. However, this did not seem to affect its deodorizing effectiveness. I was cautious about potential spills, especially on carpeted areas, but the bowls remained intact. There were no noticeable impacts on under-bed storage, which was a relief.

Baking soda’s effectiveness as a deodorizer comes from its basic pH, which neutralizes acidic odor molecules. It doesn’t add scent but rather removes unwanted odors by absorbing them. However, it can’t completely eliminate all odors, especially those that are deeply embedded in fabrics or carpets. It also does not replace good cleaning practices, as it primarily acts on airborne odors or those on surfaces it directly contacts.