Baking Soda Deodorizing Disks

As many of you know by reading my stories, I like messing around with different concoctions, potions and make-it-yourself projects.  I previously made and wrote about toilet bombs and this project is similar.  Many of us put a box of baking soda in our refrigerator to keep it fresh inside and to absorb odors.  I did too, until recently.  I came across a recipe for making baking soda disks.  They can be put anywhere you would like to absorb odors.  I put them in the cabinet where I keep the trash basket and recyclables.

It looks like a lazy susan.

But it's a trash/recycle center.

I put them in the refrigerator, in shoes, closets and cabinets. For those with a baby in cloth diapers, some diaper pails have a spot in the lid for a deodorizer.  The disks fit perfectly.  I usually put them in a little dish or container in case they deteriorate and crumble a little.  There is nothing caustic in them but if you have pets or kids, a container with holes in the lid might be a good idea.

I had this little covered container with a lid for air flow.

About every month you replace the disk with a new one and crumble the old one in the sink with a little vinegar.  It bubbles up and helps clean the drain.  It's like two for the price of one.


Baking Soda Deodorizing Disks

2.5 cups baking soda
1/2 – 1 cup water
15 drops Purify essential oil
Silicone mold
Directions:
1. Combine baking soda, 1/2 cup water, and essential oils into bowl.
- See more at: http://doterrablog.com/diy-fridge-refreshers/#sthash.DfzbkMYc.dpuf

2.5 cups baking soda
1/2 – 1 cup water
15 drops Purify essential oil
Silicone mold
Directions:
1. Combine baking soda, 1/2 cup water, and essential oils into bowl.
- See more at: http://doterrablog.com/diy-fridge-refreshers/#sthash.DfzbkMYc.dpuf

2 1/2 cups of baking soda.  It's about 1 1/2 boxes.  Baking soda only costs about 50 cents per box.

1/2 to 1 cup of water

About 15 drops of essential oil.

I like citrus scents, either lemon, grapefruit or orange.  I also made a batch with peppermint.  I heard that mice don't like the smell of peppermint.  I put a few disks in the basement.  So far so good. There are no critters that I can see.

To make these, all you do is mix the essential oil into the baking soda.  Then you add enough water to make a wet sand.  If it is too dry, the disks will crumble.  If it's too wet, the baking soda will dissolve and it will take forever to dry.  Next press into a form.  I have a silicone mini muffin pan.  These work great because you can just pop them out of the form.  With a rigid form, you may have to urge it out with a knife.  The only secret is to let them dry for 2 or 3 days.  I took them out too soon and they did crumble on the edges.  They aren't pretty but work well.