How to Use Baking Soda as a Scent Blocker

Carpets or Area Rugs

• 1

  Sprinkle the carpet or area rug with baking soda. Try not to clump large amounts of baking soda in one area. Instead, sift the powder onto the floor in quick sweeping motions, covering the entire surface area.

• 2

  Allow the baking soda to penetrate the carpet fibers and absorb the odor overnight, or for at least eight hours.

• 3

  Sweep away larger amounts of baking soda with a broom and use a vacuum set on a high power to suck up the rest.

• 4

  Repeat the process by sprinkling more baking soda in the area, letting it sit for an additional eight hours, if the odor persists. Vacuum the carpet to complete treatment.

Laundry

• 5

  Pretreat clothing that smells of mildew, must and odor with baking soda. Sprinkle a moderate amount of baking soda inside a hamper, directly on cloth diapers, garments, socks and towels to keep odors from becoming overpowering between washings.

• 6

  Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a laundry load washer to enhance the cleaning effect of liquid detergent and to eliminate strong odors in clothes.

• 7

  Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle to neutralize odors on delicate garments and towels.

Deodorizing Household Items and Areas

• 8

  Locate the source of odor. Determine if bad smells are emitting from ashtrays, pet litter bins, bedding, cloth toys, musty shoes or other source items.

• 9

  Submerge washable items in a bucket filled with 1 qt. of warm water and 1/4 cup baking soda. If items cannot be submerged, wipe them off with a cloth dampened in a baking soda and water mix: 2 tbsp. of baking soda mixed well with 1 qt. of water.

• 10

  Allow submerged items to stay in mixture for 15 to 20 minutes before removing. Allow them to air-dry. Place these items in a washer and add a commercial detergent to 1/3 cup of baking soda. Wash on regular cycle and dry items in a washer set on medium temperature. Allow wiped-off items to air-dry.

• 11

  Place a small bowl of baking soda inside the refrigerator, freezer or cupboard to neutralize area unpleasant odors.

• 12

  Soak stale-smelling sponges in a bucket with 4 tbsp. of baking soda dissolved in 1 qt. of warm water.