Why People Tuck A Bowl Of Baking Soda Under The Bed (And Whether It's Worth Trying)

When considering natural and affordable cleaning ingredients, baking soda can be one of the best tools to have on hand. Scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda can be used to clean a number of surfaces around your home. If you've ever tucked away a box of this white powder in the back of your fridge, you already know that it has deodorizing capabilities, too. This kitchen staple may even help keep mold out of your fridge when used in this way. Both the odor- and moisture-absorbing capabilities of baking soda have led many people to place the product strategically around their homes. It's these same qualities that might prompt someone to place a bowl of baking soda underneath their bed, but you'll want to weigh both the possible benefits and caveats before trying this out for yourself.

Baking soda is an alkaline substance with a pH of about 8.5. Its capability of neutralizing acids can do wonders around your home, particularly when it comes to those that create odors in the air. A common example is placing open boxes of baking soda around the home as makeshift air fresheners. Examples include the fridge, freezer, basement, and mudroom closet. You can also apply the product directly onto carpets, rugs, and fabric upholstery before vacuuming as another way to control odors around your home. There are multiple baking soda cleaning hacks that are worth trying, but it's also important to know when another method may work better.

It might sound strange to put baking soda under your bed, but it may be worth trying out to keep this hard-to-reach area clean. The idea behind this cleaning hack is to help deodorize your bedroom while also keeping moisture at bay. This trick is arguably similar to using baking soda for an odor-free, fresh-smelling closet, too. The space under the bed may also be useful if you have small children who could easily reach the bowl when it's placed elsewhere. While kept out of reach, the alkaline substance may still be able to work its magic in the room. To try this hack, simply fill a bowl with a small amount of fresh baking soda and place it under your bed. Swap the product for fresh baking soda at least once a month, or whenever the room starts to smell or feel damp again.

Before trying this method, note that it isn't commonly recommended by university extensions or supported by clinical studies. The purported benefits appear to be more anecdotal in nature, so keep this in mind before proceeding. It can also take at least a few days before you notice improvements. If you do have smaller pets that can reach the bowl of baking soda, this may not be the best option to use. Baking soda is considered toxic to cats and dogs, especially if they ingest large amounts.