What's Up With Baking Soda?

Stinky trash can? Smelly litter box? Carpet odor? Sprinkle some baking soda on it! It’s an age-old deodorizing method, but why is baking soda such a powerful odor eliminator?

Baking soda is a highly effective deodorizer

Baking soda doesn’t just mask odors, it absorbs them. Chemically speaking, most odors are acidic in nature, so baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) absorbs the acids that cause bad smells by acting as a pH neutralizer.

Baking soda is moisture absorbing

Adding to its list of beneficial features, baking soda is also effective at absorbing moisture. With its dual absorption superpower, this powdery, little ingredient can work incredibly well for your underarms—first eliminating moisture and then any pesky odor.

Only the best, simplest ingredients

After ditching conventional deodorant, our founder, Jeff, couldn’t find an effective option on the market. He decided to take matters into his own hands to create an aluminum free deodorant that truly worked. Using only ingredients found in his kitchen, he stumbled upon the magic formula. 

Baking soda was one of those ingredients and continues to be part of our original formula deodorants today. This less-is-more philosophy continues to guide us. We work with only the fewest and most recognizable ingredients. Why complicate something when simple ingredients get the job done effectively and safely.

Check out ‘Our Story’ to learn more about our Humble Brands beginnings and philosophy.

Baking soda sensitivity

Although baking soda does its duty pretty darn successfully, some people find their skin is a bit sensitive to this ingredient. Baking soda is an alkaline substance so when it mixes with that stubborn acidic odor, it alters the pH level. This sensitivity is related to that pH change and can have a direct effect on the dermis, the layer of skin where sweat glands, pores, and hair follicles live.

If you do have a slight reaction to the baking soda, never fear! We have a sensitive skin option that swaps baking soda for magnesium hydroxide. Our Vegan & Sensitive Skin Formula comes in four inspiring scents, plus unscented!

Baking soda is a tried and true ingredient that we’ve trusted with our pits since our beginning. We will boldly go where you go and keep you feeling fresh along the way with truly Nothing Bad™!