Does Mixing Bay Leaves And Baking Soda Really Eliminate Odors? Here's What To Know

The internet has an abundance of life hacks available to help with everything, from simple cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy to the pool noodle hack that will keep your garage walls scuff free. There's no shortage of tips and tricks to fix any problem you might face, but you can't always take them at face value. It pays to dig in and do a little research. If you've heard about mixing bay leaves and baking soda to eliminate odors, you may be wondering: Does it really work? The answer is yes and no.

There's plenty of evidence that baking soda works to neutralize the foul-smelling odors that come from acids. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, regulates the pH levels of volatile compounds, making them more neutral and less odorous. However, there is not much scientific proof that bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) can do the same, nor that they can help baking soda work more effectively. Bay leaves do have a nice fragrance, however, and are often used in potpourri. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, it still makes sense that combining the odor-neutralizing power of baking soda with the aromatics of bay leaves could make your space smell more pleasant.

If you're looking for quick ways to freshen up a room, bay leaves and baking soda may help. Since baking soda retains its deodorizing abilities even when dissolved in water, you can use it to make an air-freshening spray. When combined with fragrant bay leaves, your space will be smelling better in no time. If you have bay leaf essential oil on hand, you can make make this spray with 2 cups of water, about 25 drops of the oil, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Combine the bay leaf essential oil and baking soda first, giving it a good stir. Then, pour this mixture into the water and stir again before pouring into a spray bottle.

If you don't have bay leaf essential oil, you can make a simmer pot with dried bay leaves. Simply place 3 or 4 bay leaves in 4 to 6 cups of water in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow the water to cool before straining out the bay leaves. Combine 2 cups of this bay leaf-infused liquid with 2 tablespoons of baking soda, pour into a spray bottle, and you're ready to spray the stink away. You can also use baking soda and a few crushed up bay leaves as a carpet freshener. Sprinkle this mix onto carpets or rugs and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming it up.