Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo freshen a room without fragrance, remove the odor source, clean and dry affected materials, control moisture, and bring in outdoor air when conditions allow. Air fresheners can mask a smell without resolving its cause. A musty odor, in particular, is a reason to look for dampness—not simply to add a purifier or another scent.
1. Find and remove the odor source
Start with a quick inspection rather than spraying over the smell. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that eliminating pollution sources or reducing their emissions is usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality. In a room, plausible sources to check include:
- Trash, food scraps, spills, or cooking residue
- Damp towels, laundry, carpet, or upholstered furniture
- Pet bedding, litter areas, or other frequently used pet spaces
- Drains, smoke, or products with a strong odor
These are places to investigate, not a diagnosis of what is causing a particular room’s smell. Remove or clean the source where possible. The EPA’s Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality puts the principle plainly: “Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions.”
2. Clean affected surfaces and let them dry
Clean washable surfaces and launder washable textiles that may have absorbed a spill, cooking residue, or other odor. Dry items thoroughly before returning them to the room; leaving a cleaned item damp can prolong the problem. Choose fragrance-free cleaning supplies if you want to avoid adding scent, follow each product’s label, and ventilate while using products that may emit pollutants.
#1 Best Overall
- POP ONE IN, STOP ODOR: Pack of 12 x 14 oz ARM & HAMMER Fridge-n-Freezer Baking Soda Odor Absorbers helps food taste as it should by absorbing and deodorizing lingering odors without harsh chemicals
- SPILL-PROOF DESIGN: Built-in Flo-Thru technology lets air circulate through dual-panel vents for maximum odor control while preventing spills, a must-have for home or commercial kitchens
- SMALL SPACE SUPERSTAR: Works to neutralize odors, not just mask them, in enclosed spaces like the pantry, cabinets, closets, under bathroom sinks, pet areas, and beyond
- LONG-LASTING UP TO 30-DAYS: To use, remove perforated panels on the front and back; place upright to absorb unwanted odors, and replace every 30 days for best results
- UNSCENTED ODOR ABSORBER: No fragrance or essential oils added; made with ARM & HAMMER Pure & Natural Baking Soda, sustainably made in Green River, Wyoming
If a material is wet, address the water source as well as the surface. The EPA recommends drying wet materials within 24–48 hours if possible. Persistent dampness or visible mold needs attention to its moisture cause and cleanup; a scented product or room air cleaner is not mold remediation. See the EPA’s brief guide to mold, moisture and your home for its mold and moisture guidance.
3. Ventilate when outdoor conditions permit
Opening a window or door can bring outdoor air into a room and dilute indoor pollutants, provided the weather and outdoor air quality are suitable. Ventilation is not appropriate in every situation: outdoor pollution, severe weather, security concerns, or building conditions may make it a poor choice.
Rank #2
- ON-THE-GO ODOR CONTROL: ARM & HAMMER Fresh Effects Odor Neutralizing Pouches instantly absorb and eliminate big odors while you're on the move
- CONVENIENT POUCHES: Individually packaged so you can easily toss into your shoes, gym bag, car, suitcase, and more to deodorize without the mess of spray or gel
- SMALL SPACE SUPERSTAR: Works to neutralize odors, not just mask them, in trash cans, laundry hampers, kitchen cabinets, drawers, closets, lockers, pet areas, and beyond
- LONG-LASTING UP TO 30-DAYS: Add one pouch to a small, enclosed area to absorb smelly, musty odors for up to a month; use more pouches for stronger odors, dispose of after using
- UNSCENTED ODOR ABSORBER: No added fragrance or essential oils; made with 100% Pure ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, America’s most trusted baking soda brand, sustainably made in Green River, Wyoming
In kitchens and bathrooms, use an exhaust fan that vents outdoors. It removes air from the room; a fan that merely recirculates indoor air does not perform the same exhaust function. Ventilation works best alongside source removal, rather than as a substitute for it. The EPA explains these approaches in its guide to improving indoor air quality at home.
4. Treat a musty smell as a moisture clue
A musty odor can point to damp materials or a moisture problem, but smell alone cannot identify the source. Check for leaks, condensation, and wet materials; repair the water source and dry affected areas. A humidity gauge, also called a hygrometer, can help you monitor indoor relative humidity.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- ATTRACTS AND TRAPS EXCESS MOISTURE: Use Arm & Hammer Moisture Absorber and Odor Eliminator Tubs to attract and trap excess moisture from damp spaces.
- ELIMINATES ODORS: Arm & Hammer Tubs are a convenient, effective way to continuously collect excess moisture in the air that can cause stale odors.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION: Ideal for use in closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mud rooms, and anywhere that excess moisture and stagnant air are present.
- LONG LASTING FRESHNESS: Each tub offers long-lasting freshness for up to 60 days. (Duration will vary based on temperature and humidity.)
- EASY TO USE: To use, simply pour crystals into moisture absorber canister and close lid. Discard once the moisture absorbing crystals have fully dissolved. Arm & Hammer is a registered trademark owned by Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
The EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%. If humidity remains above 60%, the EPA advises using a dehumidification strategy. A dehumidifier can help manage high humidity, but it does not repair a leak, stop water intrusion, or remove mold growth. Those problems require their own attention. See the EPA’s guidance on mold and moisture control.
5. Use filtration only as a supplement
A portable air cleaner can serve a single room or area and may reduce some airborne pollutants. For particle filtration, choose a unit with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) suited to the room size. Air cleaners and HVAC filters cannot remove every pollutant, and filtration does not address a leak, damp material, or the cause of a musty odor. The EPA’s guide to home air cleaners and air filters advises avoiding devices that intentionally produce ozone.
Rank #4
- Effective Odor Elimination: Absorbs and destroys big odors in small spaces, keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.
- Spill-Proof Package: Designed for easy use and mess prevention, making it a convenient choice for odor control.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for closets, bathrooms, refrigerators, and other confined areas where odors can accumulate.
Why not cover the smell with fragrance?
Adding scent can make a room smell different without removing the source of an odor. The American Lung Association recommends going fragrance-free because air fresheners and other strongly scented products can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful chemicals. This does not mean every product has the same ingredients or risk; it is a reason to avoid treating fragrance as a substitute for cleaning, moisture control, or ventilation.
What a room’s smell can—and cannot—tell you
Odor is not a reliable indoor-air-quality test. A neutral-smelling room is not proof that its air is safe, and a noticeable smell alone does not identify a pollutant or establish its risk. Use the smell as a prompt to look for a source or condition, then address what you find. EPA’s information on odor and indoor air quality explains this limitation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A HOUSEHOLD CLASSIC: This 2.7 lb resealable bag of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda unlocks 100+ uses across your home—from kitchens and laundry rooms to crafting tables and beyond
- PURE & NATURAL: America’s Most Trusted Baking Soda Brand is safe to use around kids and pets; no additives or chemicals, no cornstarch, and no fragrance
- FOOD-GRADE FOR BETTER RESULTS: USP-grade 1 crystals create fluffier cakes, muffins, cookies, and breads; use it in gluten free, kosher, vegan, paleo-friendly, and organic baking recipes
- DIY HOME HACKS: A multi-purpose essential to help freshen carpets, brighten laundry, freshen drains, scrub sinks, clean jewelry, craft kids’ sensory play & science experiments with one ingredient
- SUSTAINABLY MADE IN THE USA: Proudly made and packaged in Green River, Wyoming, using 100% certified renewable energy for a more sustainable, quality baking soda you can trust
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
