Baking Soda for Fresher Indoor Air

A home can be filled with a variety of unpleasant odors: cat urine, wet dog, cigarette or cigar smoke, last night’s fried fish dinner, and more. And while not as powerful and nuanced as say dogs, our sense of smell is pretty strong and can affect us emotionally and physically. Freshen the air inside your home and you can brighten your mood. And it’s easier than you think. All you need is one inexpensive pantry staple – baking soda.

Alone or mixed with a few simple ingredients, baking soda can neutralize odors in every room of your home. Read on to learn how.

All -Purpose Air Freshener

In a clean mason jar, mix one cup baking soda with 12 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil, like peppermint, pine, lavender, or grapefruit. Add on one teaspoon of dried herbs like mint, lavender, or rosemary. Close the lid and shake to mix thoroughly. Place a small dish of this air freshener in any room that needs a scent boost.

Baking Soda Spray

Don’t mask odors with store-bought, chemical fragrances. Instead, make your own by combining one teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil. Mix thoroughly then pour into a clean spray bottle and fill with cold water. Shake well and use to freshen upholstery, shoes, clothing, and so on.

A Twist of Lemon

Citrusy scents are associated with clean, bright spaces. Combine a half cup of baking soda with 12 to 15 drops of lemon or orange essential oil on a 4-ounce mason jar. Place a basket-style coffee filter on top of the jar opening and secure in place with a rubber band. Place the air freshener in the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom.

Keep it Simple

If you don’t care for essential oils or scents in general, simply pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into small, uncovered dishes and place strategically around your home. Try one near the trash can, toilet, or on the kitchen counter.

Natural Cleaner

While deodorizing the air helps, eliminate the source of foul kitchen and bathroom odors with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda liberally inside your stainless-steel sink and scrub with a sponge. Pour white vinegar over the surface to break up any remaining residue, scrub some more, then rinse clean. For porcelain sinks, use hydrogen peroxide in place of vinegar.

Natural Sleep Aid

According to the Sleep Foundation, lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, helping to you to sleep more soundly and wake up feeling more energized. Combine half a cup of baking soda with 20 drops of lavender essential oil in a small glass jar. Cover the opening with a square of cheesecloth for relaxing aromatherapy and air purification.

Freshen Fabric & Upholstery

Odors can settle into rugs, fabric, and upholstered furniture. Sprinkle them with baking soda, let sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight if you can, then vacuum up the baking soda and the offending odors along with it.

Here’s one more way to enjoy cleaner indoor air: with a whole-house air filtration system from Correct Temp. We offer several types of air filtration systems, with one just right for your home, air quality needs, and budget. For more information or to schedule installation, contact us today.