Baking soda sprinkled over a doormat and left to sit pulls the musty, trapped in smell right out of the fibers instead of just covering it up with a spray.
Sprinkle Baking Soda on Your Doormat Tonight
Hello Neighbor! Between the rain we have had and my great-niece tracking in who knows what from the yard, my front doormat had a smell I could not get rid of no matter how many times I shook it out.
I finally sprinkled a layer of plain baking soda over it before bed, let it sit overnight, and vacuumed it up in the morning.
The musty smell was completely gone, and now I do it every few weeks without thinking twice. Below is how I do mine.
Be Well,
Anisa
Sprinkle Baking Soda on Your Doormat to Keep It Smelling Fresh
How to Do It
Shake the mat out well first to knock loose any dirt or debris. Sprinkle a generous, even layer of plain baking soda over the entire surface. Let it sit for at least a few hours, overnight works even better. Vacuum or shake it out thoroughly before anyone walks on it again.
More Ways to Use It
The same trick freshens up a musty bath mat or a pet bed between washes. A light sprinkle inside damp rain boots overnight helps with shoe odor too.
Ask the Genius: Will It Leave a Residue on a Dark Mat?
"Will it leave a white powdery residue on a dark mat?"
A thorough vacuum or shake out afterward clears it completely, just make sure you get it all before the mat gets rained on or stepped on while still powdery.
Did You Know?
Baking soda deodorizes by neutralizing acidic odor molecules instead of just covering them up with a stronger scent. That is why it works on so many different smells around the house, from the fridge to the fibers of a doormat.
Got a handy tip of your own?
Reply back to Anisa, she loves reading your emails.
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →