How to Create a Homemade Baking Soda Room Freshener

PDF download Download Article
Use baking soda as a DIY deodorizer to banish bad smells
PDF download Download Article

Baking soda has plenty of uses around the house, but it's probably most effective as an odor absorber. That's why it's the ideal ingredient for healthy, eco-friendly, budget-friendly air fresheners. We chatted with cleaning experts and professionals to show you how to make a baking soda deodorizing spray, tabletop air freshener, and carpet deodorizer.

Baking Soda Air Freshener Spray Recipe

  1. Combine 1 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda and 5-6 drops of essential oil.
  2. Add the mixture to a 16–32  fl oz (0.47–0.95 L) spray bottle.
  3. Fill the spray bottle with warm water.
  4. Spray the mixture in the air or on household surfaces.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making Baking Soda Air Freshener Spray

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pro house cleaner Raymond Chiu tells us that a simple baking soda and water solution makes a fabulous odor eliminator. First, Add 1 tablespoon (14 g) of baking soda to a small bowl or dish. Then, if you like, mix 5 to 6 drops of an essential oil into the baking soda with a spoon or fork until they are well combined.
    • Essential oils are totally optional, but they do add a little extra pizazz. The baking soda will absorb odors to help freshen the air on its own, while the essential oil replaces the odor with something nicer.
    • Use your favorite essential oil to scent the air freshener, or even mix two or more oils to create a custom scent. Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils are all good options.
    • Check out Amazon’s selection of essential oils for a wide variety of options.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    When the baking soda and oil are well mixed, transfer the mixture to a clean, empty spray bottle—16–32  fl oz (0.47–0.95 L) works best. Use a spoon or a funnel to carefully add the powder to the bottle to avoid making a mess. [1]
    • It doesn’t really matter what size bottle you use. With a smaller bottle, though, the baking soda may not completely dissolve, but you can always refill it with water as you go to use up the excess baking soda.
    • Also, use a bit of painter’s tape and a marker to create a label for the bottle, so you always know what’s inside it.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Once you've transferred the baking soda mixture to the spray bottle, add enough water to fill the bottle. Shake the bottle well to fully combine the water and baking soda mixture. [2]
    • Distilled water is the best choice here, but if you live someplace with clean tap water, that works, too!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    After you've shaken the bottle to fully mix all of the ingredients, you're ready to use the air freshener. Cleaning pro Andrew Outman suggests using it to eliminate odors in the air. Or, target specific items, such as your sofa or a pair of sneakers.
    • Or, use the spray as a gentle odor remover and cleaner for countertops.
    • It’ll take up to an hour for the baking soda to do its thing. If the odor still linger, give it another spray after a little while.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making a Tabletop Baking Soda Air Freshener

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Cleaning specialist Jennifer Rodriguez says that a container of baking soda makes a great passive air freshener. Add ½ cup (90 g) of baking soda to a jar or any other container. Optionally, add 15 to 25 drops of an essential oil to the container and use a spoon to carefully stir the two together until they're fully combined.
    • A jar with a 2-piece lid works best, since we’ll be making a breathable lid that keeps the baking soda in while still letting it do its job, but any small container will work, really.
    • Eucalyptus, lavender, mint, lemon, or rosemary essential oils are great choices that offer fresh, natural scents.
    • Outman adds that charcoal is a good substitute for baking soda. In either case, keep the container out of reach of children and pets.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Chiu says it’s best to cover the container, in case it spills, but to use a breathable lid. Swap the jar’s lid piece with a piece of linen or cheesecloth, then screw it into place. Or, Chiu says you might poke holes in the metal lid with a pin instead. Alternatively, use a rubber band to secure cheesecloth or linen over the container.
    • Avoid using solid lids that won’t let the baking soda catch the odors in the air.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    When the lid and covering are secure on the jar, the air freshener is ready to go. Rodriguez recommends using it in a fridge to eliminate bad food smells. Or, set it out on a table or countertop wherever you want to freshen the air. The kitchen and bathroom are ideal locations, but you also can place it in your bedroom, living room, or family room.
    • If the air freshener seems to have lost its scent, shake the jar. That will redistribute and freshen the scent.
    • Replace the baking soda in the container once every couple months, for best results.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Baking Soda Carpet Freshener

PDF download Download Article
  1. Baking soda alone is a great carpet deodorizer, but adding some common, aromatic herbs really elevates it and helps banish bad odors. Start by grinding 2 to 3 sprigs of the dried herbs in a coffee grinder or blender so they're fine enough to mix with the baking soda. [3]
    • Use whatever herbs or aromatics you like! Lavender, lemon or orange rinds, mint, chamomile, and sage are all great options. Just be careful of aromatics that are potentially toxic to pets, like pine.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Mix the herbs and baking soda in a jar. Then, add an essential oil of your choice, if you like. Place the lid on the jar, and shake well to thoroughly mix the ingredients. [4] Then, for best results, let the mixture sit overnight, so the aromas mingle.
    • Use any essential oils that you like, but avoid tea tree oil if you have pets. It can be toxic to animals. Citrus essential oils lose their scents quickly, so you should avoid them if you want a long lasting scent for your carpet.
    • Or, use an antimicrobial or antibacterial essential oil in your carpet freshener. Oregano oil, cinnamon oil, and thyme oil are good options.
    • If you’re using essential oils, pair suitable oils with the herb choices. For example, lavender grounds with lavender essential oils will really pack a punch. Or, mix and match!
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Sprinkle the mixture lightly over the carpet that you want to freshen, and allow it to sit for at least 3 hours, but ideally overnight, to let it absorb and replace as much of the odor as possible. [5]
    • Use a spoon to spread the air freshener, or place a shaker lid on the jar so you can sprinkle directly from the container.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Baking Soda Air Freshener
    Once the carpet freshener has sat on the carpet for several hours, vacuum the carpet as you normally would. Work in slow, steady strokes to make sure you vacuum up all of the baking soda mixture to truly freshen the carpet. [6]
    • Before using the carpet freshener, check your vacuum cleaner's instruction manual to ensure that the baking soda won't damage the appliance or clog the filters.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does this mean that I will not need to add fragrance to the baking soda?
    Community Answer
    No, baking soda is an odor absorbent. Although adding 5 to10 drops of your favorite essential oil to a bottle of 50% water and 50% of vinegar would make a lovely air freshener/deodorizer in the scent of your choice. But it's a choice, not needed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 17
  • Question
    Will the spray air freshener work as a pet deodorizing spray?
    Community Answer
    The spray air freshener will help get rid of any smells, including those from pets. However, be sure not to use tea tree oil in your air freshener if you have pets. It can be toxic to animals.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 23
  • Question
    Can I use pop or a different drink instead of an essential oil to scent it?
    Community Answer
    Not really. Iems that are meant for human consumption contain too many different chemicals (yes, even Vitamin Water has chemicals in it) to be a good option. Also they are not the same consistency as oils, and full of syrups which attract bugs. There are hundreds of oils to try, have fun!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Sprinkling baking soda over odorous items will help improve air quality. For example, sprinkle down the garbage disposal unit, in garbage bins, or on dirty dishcloths and sponges.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4
      • If you're in a hurry, an open box of baking soda can freshen the air by absorbing odors. It won't give you that added scent, but it’ll still do the trick.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Baking Soda Air Freshener Spray

      • Distilled water
      • 1 tablespoon (14 g) baking soda
      • 5 to 6 drops essential oil of your choice
      • Spray bottle

      Tabletop Baking Soda Air Freshener

      • ½ cup (90 g) baking soda
      • 15 to 25 drops essential oil of your choice
      • Jar
      • Linen or cheesecloth

      Baking Soda Carpet Freshener

      • 1 cup (180 g) baking soda
      • 30 to 40 drops essential oils of your choice
      • Dried herbs
      • Glass jar with a lid

      You Might Also Like

      19 Tips to Quickly Get Rid of the Burnt Food Smell in Your House
      How to
      Stop a Carbon Monoxide Alarm & What to Do When It Goes Off For Real
      How to
      Cover the Smell of a Cigarette
      How to
      Use Mothballs
      Homemade Air Fresheners for Your Home or Car
      How to
      Kill Mold Spores in the Air and Prevent Mold Growth
      How to
      Get Rid of Tobacco Smell Fast
      How to
      Deodorize a Room
      How to
      Test a Carbon Monoxide Detector
      How to
      Get Skunk Smell Out of the House
      How to
      Remove Dead Animal Odor
      How to
      Increase Oxygen Levels in Your Home
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Raymond Chiu .

      References

      1. ↑ https://msdh.ms.gov/page/44,21043,360,529.html
      2. ↑ https://msdh.ms.gov/page/44,21043,360,529.html
      3. ↑ https://msdh.ms.gov/page/44,21043,360,529.html
      4. ↑ https://msdh.ms.gov/page/44,21043,360,529.html
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/dog-urine-stains/
      6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/dog-urine-stains/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make baking soda air freshener spray, start by combining 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 5-6 drops of an essential oil. Next, spoon the mixture into an empty spray bottle, add enough water to fill the bottle, and shake well. Alternatively, to prepare a tabletop baking soda air freshener, mix ½ cup baking soda and 15-20 drops of essential oils in a small glass jar. Then, cover the jar with a cheesecloth or a cotton or linen cloth, which you can secure on with a rubber band, to allow the scent out of the jar. To learn how to create a baking soda carpet freshener, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 294,298 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Apr 5, 2017

        "It was amazing! I'm a cleaning lady, looking for better ways to clean my building without making the tenants ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement