Baking soda for scent control

[Northcountryman]

Hey guys , 

on another thread where we were discussing scent control , one of the guys mentioned using baking soda when storing his hunting clothes . I wanna try that so, I got myself a plastic storage Tote and gonna get some baking soda . My question is : do I pour a bunch in there along the bottom, or , just open the top of the box and stick it in there ? I think this may be the ticket to help me reduce my scent and wanna dial it in before next sit . Saturday , I was in my climber and , although. I didn’t see anything , heard some faint commotion off to my left front about 100 yds away . Sounded like movement and snorting . Well , it was goin on for awhile and then went away . Afterwards , got down and , sure enough , major deer trails all intersecting there and bedding areas off to the side !! Did they smell me maybe ? Moved my stand over there for next sit but don’t wanna get busted !! 

[The_Real_TCIII]

They make packs specifically for that purpose

 

https://www.armandhammer.com/en/baking-soda/deodorizers/fridge-and-freezer-deodorizers/fresh-n-natural-odor-absorber-14-oz

[Enigma]

Pre season I wash most my clothes in the washer with maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per laod. No detergent. Air dry outside then into a typical rubbermade tough tote. I add some earthiness to the tote with basic stuff like pine needles, leaf litter or whatever in a gallon ziplock bag, opened half way. The scent in the bag kind of infuses the clothes w cover scent. Don't put scent contaminated (hunted in) clothes back in the tote. Worked well for me bowhunting. 

I d advise against just shaking loose soda powder into the tote or directly on the clothes. The clothes will get wet at some point and then sticky, even if you shake them out before use. Then stuff starts to chafe lol. Ask me how I know. The deodorizing box of Arm and Hammer soda could be used in place of any cover scent in the tote to keep it scent free I guess. Good luck!

[Northcountryman]

Ok, got it; so airing out your clothes outdoors helps to reduce scent also? Just put my stuff out on the porch to air out for the day.  So, you get dressed at your spoty then? Noty a bad idea but kind of a pain isnt it? Also, when youre done hunting , do you change out to your street clothes before climbing back into the truck?

 

[46rkl]

Baking soda works well and the more surface area, the better it will work. Figure out a way to spread it out somewhat but don’t put it directly on the clothing. Sticky mess will result if you do.

I keep all my hunting gear out on the (covered) porch all season. Just the base layer of long underwear comes in the house. Makes for a real wake up getting dressed on the porch when it’s single digits outside...

[Arcade Hunter]

22 hours ago, Enigma said:

Pre season I wash most my clothes in the washer with maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per laod. No detergent. Air dry outside then into a typical rubbermade tough tote. I add some earthiness to the tote with basic stuff like pine needles, leaf litter or whatever in a gallon ziplock bag, opened half way. The scent in the bag kind of infuses the clothes w cover scent. Don't put scent contaminated (hunted in) clothes back in the tote. Worked well for me bowhunting. 

I d advise against just shaking loose soda powder into the tote or directly on the clothes. The clothes will get wet at some point and then sticky, even if you shake them out before use. Then stuff starts to chafe lol. Ask me how I know. The deodorizing box of Arm and Hammer soda could be used in place of any cover scent in the tote to keep it scent free I guess. Good luck!

I do exactly the same thing with the totes... I have 2 black ones, one for base layers and one for outer layers.  Once the clothes come out of the black tote, they don't go back in until washed scent free.  Worn clothes go into the green tote.  Sometimes I wear them again if I know I haven't sweated them up ... as for the coat and bibs, Ill hang those outside if possible unless they are getting washed.

I found these at walmart... They have wheels and carrying handles, the lids are hinged.

[Enigma]

19 hours ago, Northcountryman said:

Ok, got it; so airing out your clothes outdoors helps to reduce scent also? Just put my stuff out on the porch to air out for the day.  So, you get dressed at your spoty then? Noty a bad idea but kind of a pain isnt it? Also, when youre done hunting , do you change out to your street clothes before climbing back into the truck?

 

Scent contamination is from two sources. Body odor on your base layers and the introduction of "external" scents onto your outer layers (breakfast at the diner or pumping gas, etc.). Some people go nuts with scent control using ozone bags and other stuff. I just try to start with scent free clothes at the beginning of the year and try to minimize scent contamination as I go.

I air dry my clothes outside after the first wash of the year. At this point I like to think they're as scent free as possible. I wouldn't air dry them inside 'cause they'd stink like bacon lol. In a pinch I've also dried clothes in a dryer with an earth scented dryer earth sheet. Some of my outer layers cannot be washed so yes, I hang these outside for a week or two before the season to air out.

Like @Arcade Hunter I have two totes, one for scent free base layers and one for scent free outer layers. I keep the sealed tote with my base layers in my bedroom. Included is a set of loose overalls and a sweatshirt. These are my travelling clothes so to speak. Dress in base layers from the tote at home and then put on the overalls and sweatshirt. I travel with tote #2 scent free outer layers in my car. Arrive at hunting site and swap out the now scent "contaminated" outer layer for your scent free outer gear in tote #2 (yeah it can be somewhat nipply when it's 20 degrees out standing in your skivvys changing clothes but you'll survive). Travelling clothes go onto car seat not into any tote. Hunt happy all day.

After hunting it depends. If my outer layers are dry I return them to tote #2 for next time, slip on my travelling clothes and leave. If my outer layers are wet I take them home to air dry outside or wash again and then air dry etc. Most of the time I reuse my base layer a time or two but I always swap out first layer socks, t shirts etc because of BO after one hunt.  

It's not really complicated just a process kinda. Everyone has there own routine. Main thing is start w clean scent free stuff, keep it sealed up if you can, don't cross contaminate and don't air it out or dry it inside your home.

[Arcade Hunter]

4 hours ago, Enigma said:

Scent contamination is from two sources. Body odor on your base layers and the introduction of "external" scents onto your outer layers (breakfast at the diner or pumping gas, etc.). Some people go nuts with scent control using ozone bags and other stuff. I just try to start with scent free clothes at the beginning of the year and try to minimize scent contamination as I go.

I air dry my clothes outside after the first wash of the year. At this point I like to think they're as scent free as possible. I wouldn't air dry them inside 'cause they'd stink like bacon lol. In a pinch I've also dried clothes in a dryer with an earth scented dryer earth sheet. Some of my outer layers cannot be washed so yes, I hang these outside for a week or two before the season to air out.

Like @Arcade Hunter I have two totes, one for scent free base layers and one for scent free outer layers. I keep the sealed tote with my base layers in my bedroom. Included is a set of loose overalls and a sweatshirt. These are my travelling clothes so to speak. Dress in base layers from the tote at home and then put on the overalls and sweatshirt. I travel with tote #2 scent free outer layers in my car. Arrive at hunting site and swap out the now scent "contaminated" outer layer for your scent free outer gear in tote #2 (yeah it can be somewhat nipply when it's 20 degrees out standing in your skivvys changing clothes but you'll survive). Travelling clothes go onto car seat not into any tote. Hunt happy all day.

After hunting it depends. If my outer layers are dry I return them to tote #2 for next time, slip on my travelling clothes and leave. If my outer layers are wet I take them home to air dry outside or wash again and then air dry etc. Most of the time I reuse my base layer a time or two but I always swap out first layer socks, t shirts etc because of BO after one hunt.  

It's not really complicated just a process kinda. Everyone has there own routine. Main thing is start w clean scent free stuff, keep it sealed up if you can, don't cross contaminate and don't air it out or dry it inside your home.

Exactly what I do to a tee except I have a third tote for items I have worn already, and I also reuse the base layer a few times... If I am working all week and I know I will not need an item, It will get washed and put back into the respective black totes.  All my hunting clothes are organized and I never have to look for anything , and being organized, I never forget to take something.

[Daveboone]

Just like if you use a box of baking soda in your fridge, it helps absorb odors in the air but will not remove the source. If you have dog poop on your bibs, it will still be there. I launder my stuff at the end of the season with baking soda (if I am soiled with blood, etc. it is going to be no scent detergent...I like Arm and Hammer.). Before the season and after the hunt I hang them outside to air. Never enter the house/camp with my hunting clothes on...everything gets changed outside on the porch to hang. Use no odor soap and shampoo, unscented deoderant. I do dust with baking soda (a number of brands are sold for hunting deoderizing, but that is all it is) to the pits, groin and other sweaty/stinky parts. I dont know if it helps totally, but I am sure it doesnt hurt.