How to Keep an Underwear Drawer Fresh with a Bicarbonate of Soda and Lavender Sachet

An underwear drawer often stays shut for hours - sometimes for days - and that makes it easy for that stale, closed-in smell to develop even when the items are clean. A straightforward way to tackle it is to pop in a natural bicarbonate of soda sachet with lavender before you close the drawer. The bicarbonate helps neutralise odours, while the lavender adds a light, fresh and pleasant scent.

Which natural ingredient keeps the drawer smelling fresh?

The key ingredient is bicarbonate of soda. Rather than simply masking a smell, it helps absorb trapped odours and leaves the air inside the drawer more neutral. For fragrance, the best pairing is dried lavender flowers, or a few drops of lavender essential oil added to a small fabric sachet.

The benefit of this method is that it doesn’t dampen your clothes, it won’t mark fabrics when prepared properly, and it keeps working for weeks. It’s an easy option for anyone who wants to open a drawer and get that clean-laundry smell without relying on harsh products.

How do you make the sachet for the drawer?

Putting it together is quick. Place two to three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into a piece of thin fabric, an organza bag, a clean unused sock, or even a coffee filter sealed tightly. Then add a small amount of dried lavender or two drops of essential oil.

What matters is sealing the sachet well so the powder can’t leak onto the garments. If you’re using essential oil, drip it onto a bit of cotton wool first and place that cotton alongside the bicarbonate, so it doesn’t come into direct contact with delicate fabrics.

• use a breathable pouch, not a sealed plastic bag;
• use only a little essential oil so the scent doesn’t become cloying;
• keep the sachet tucked into a corner of the drawer;
• avoid placing it directly against lace or very sensitive fabrics;
• replace it when the fragrance fades or it stops working.

Where should you place it so the scent spreads best?

The most practical spot is along the bottom or against one side of the drawer, where the sachet won’t get in the way when you take items out. Because the space is small and enclosed, there’s no need to overdo the quantity. One small sachet is usually enough for a standard underwear drawer.

If the drawer is large or has compartments, you can use two smaller sachets positioned at opposite ends. That helps the scent circulate more evenly and allows the bicarbonate to work across different areas.

How often should you change it to keep it effective?

In most cases, you can swap the sachet every 30 to 45 days. If the drawer is in a very damp place, it’s best to check sooner, because the bicarbonate can clump and lose effectiveness more quickly.

It’s also worth using the changeover as a chance to wipe the drawer with a dry cloth or one that’s only slightly damp, then let it dry completely before putting the clothes back. The fresh smell lasts much longer when the items go in fully dry and the drawer itself isn’t holding moisture.

Which other drawers does this trick work for?

The same type of sachet works well in drawers for socks, T-shirts, bed linen, towels, pyjamas, and even in small cupboards that tend to smell musty. It’s also useful in suitcases stored for long periods, as long as the sachet is securely closed so it can’t release powder.

The secret to keeping a pleasant scent is not trying to perfume a drawer that’s dirty or damp. First, the items need to be clean and completely dry. Then the sachet acts as a boost, neutralising that closed-in smell and leaving a light aroma each time the drawer is opened.