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From Cecil's Mailbag by the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
Apr-14-99
Dear Straight Dope:
Will baking soda really eliminate odors in my refrigerator, or is that just a kitchen myth
perpetuated by the Arm & Hammer company? If baking soda can eliminate odors, where is
the optimal location for my box of baking soda: the bottom, middle or top shelf of my
refrigerator? Do stinky odors rise or fall in a cold environment? --Cathi
SDSTAFF Ian replies:
No, it really works. The miracle of baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is in its ability
to neutralize pH levels. That is, it takes strong acids and buffers them (it was popularly
used as an antacid before the Tums and Rolaids people took over the market), and, while
slightly on the base side itself, also stabilizes the pH of highly basic solutions. You
got a bad odor? It's almost always the result of strong acids (in the fridge, often lactic
acids) or bases (found in in spoiled meats). Speaking of corporate propaganda, Arm &
Hammer says you can also use it to deodorize your armpits, feet, or breath, as well as
stinky diapers, furniture, trash cans, and of course refrigerators. As for the optimum
placement, odors are essentially the same weight as the air around them, and will
dissipate throughout the whole fridge if left unchecked, so I say put the stuff closest to
the source of the stink to kill it as quickly as possible. If your fridge odors are from
veggies left too long in the crisper, put it there, but if you're leaving the milk in the
fridge past its expiration date, put it on the top shelf. If you live in Oklahoma,
of course, put it anywhere you like, it's bound to do some good.
--SDSTAFF Ian
Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
Cecil's Mailbag is researched and written by members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, Cecil's online auxiliary. Although the SDSAB does its best, these articles are edited by Ed Zotti, not Cecil, so accuracywise you'd better keep your fingers crossed.
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