Thanks to social media, when someone comes up with an idea — good or bad — it spreads like wildfire. Some of these trends leave you scratching your head. For example, there seems to be a growing consensus that it’s a good idea to put toilet paper in the refrigerator. Even though toilet paper became a valuable commodity during the pandemic, that isn’t why people are storing it in their refrigerator or freezer like they would cold hard cash. So, what gives? Well, the reason is all about freshness. This is a trick that the hotel industry uses to absorb bad odors. Does it work? Yes, it does. A lot of nasty smells coming from the refrigerator are due to excess moisture that causes mold and mildew. Since toilet paper is very absorbent, it works to absorb the moisture that contributes to smells. It doesn’t, however, work as well as baking soda. Baking soda not only absorbs the moisture, it also neutralizes acids that cause the odors. Not only that, but if someone sees that you have a box of baking soda in your refrigerator, they will applaud you for your genius. If, however, someone sees toilet paper in your refrigerator, don’t be surprised if someone from the mental health department shows up to check you out. In addition, baking soda costs about 99¢ a box and lasts around three months, while toilet paper is more expensive and you have to change it every three weeks. So, you decide.
