Baking soda

Odor control

It is often claimed that baking soda is an effective odor remover and recommended that an open box be kept in the refrigerator to absorb odor. This idea was promoted by the leading U.S. brand of baking soda, Arm & Hammer, in an advertising campaign starting in 1972. Though this campaign is considered a classic of marketing, leading within a year to more than half of American refrigerators containing a box of baking soda, there is little evidence that it is effective in this application. However, baking soda may be effective in absorbing musty smells in books.