Why baking soda works - was: Re: Re: Stinky house air

[Guest guest]

At 04:31 PM 9/2/2009, you wrote:

> Might as well put containers of baking soda around house instead.

This works. For fast odor absorption, spread it thinly on a cookie sheet.

> I don't understand how baking soda helps. If germ comes in contact

> with baking soda, may kill it, and that may help but wouldn't help

> really sick house, because then you would have toxins. Unless

> baking soda has some sort of ability to 'absorb' small

> particles...does anyone know????? I've never understood baking

> soda's ability to deodorize.

I do not have time to get the " whole " answer, but I found the high

level, overall method. Basically,

baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, will release one of the carbonates,

and combine with the smell molecule.

It's neutral, so most acidic or alkaline fumes will stick to the

baking soda. It does get used up.

It may release CO2, same stuff in the atmosphere and what you exhale

after inhaling oxygen.

http://www.armhammer.com/basics/magic/#2

What is the deal with ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda and pH?

As we mentioned, baking soda helps regulate pH­keeping a substance

neither too acidic (sour tasting), nor too alkaline. Think of pH as a

see-saw, with acidic pH tilting one way, alkaline pH tilting the

other way, and neutral pH when the see-saw is level. When ARM &

HAMMER® Baking Soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an

alkaline substance, it's natural effect is to neutralize that extreme

pH - tilting the see- saw back toward level. And beyond that, baking

soda has the capability to resist further changes in the pH balance -

keep the see-saw level--this is called buffering.

So what's the big deal? Well for us, this neutralizing and buffering

capability is the science behind how our

ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda is so effective for so many uses.

http://www.armhammer.com/basics/magic/#7

Quote:

ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda will react in combination with acidic

ingredients in a recipe (like cream of tartar or lemon juice) to

release the carbon dioxide that causes dough to rise.

http://www.armhammer.com/basics/magic/#4 lists what it

deodorize. It's not a solve all.

>I could easily put my air through baking soda since my cold air

>returns are on the floor, but some baking soda dust would probably

>work itself through the fabric over my cold air returns and end up

>in the air system 'I guess'.

Baking soda is safe to eat, to cook with. The molecule involved is

likely safe to inhale in small amounts.