Make Homemade Clove Mouthwash with just two ingredients for pennies. Not only is it easy, natural, and budget-friendly, it is zero waste because it is made and stored in a mason jar. Save money in your budget and start making yourself.
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In an attempt to cut expenses anywhere we can, it’s important to think outside the box. And making personal care products like soap, shampoo and even mouthwash are incredible ways to reduce expenses and control ingredients.
This clove mouthwash recipe is as simple as steeping whole cloves in water like tea. The price breakdown for you:
- 1 (1.3 ounce) jar of cloves = $2.98 = 6.5 Tablespoons
- 1 Tablespoon = $0.46 = 8 ounces mouthwash
- 8 ounces mouthwash = 32 servings = $0.014 per serving
Compare that to your store-bought mouthwash and you’re looking at HUGE savings!
Ingredients
Whole Cloves: Cloves can be found in the spice aisle of your grocery store. Feel free to use organic if you desire.
Water: We will be bring the water to a boil, so you don’t need to use filtered water. If you prefer to make your clove mouthwash with clove oil rather than whole cloves, use filtered water. 8 ounces of water makes 32 servings of mouthwash, so feel free to halve or double the recipe to fit your family’s needs.
The prepared mouthwash will keep in a sealed container for up to 1 month.
How to Make Clove Mouthwash
- Bring water to a boil in small saucepan or kettle.
- Place cloves in a jar or heatproof container and add the boiling water.
- Allow the cloves to steep in the water and cool. This should take about 20 minutes.
- Strain out the cloves and store your clove mouthwash in a mason jar or bottle with lid.
Variations
This recipe is for basic clove mouthwash. It has a tingly, spicy flavor similar to cinnamon. Feel free to add any of the following ingredients to your clove and water mixture and steep together.
- Peppermint leaves – adds a minty freshness like traditional mouthwashes
- Cinnamon sticks – imparts spicy flavor and also adds additional antimicrobial properties
- Orange Peel
- Rosemary
Clove Mouthwash Benefits
I’m sure we’ve all used whole cloves to stud an orange for holiday decorations. It smells amazing and adds to the warm feeling of the holidays. In addition, clove possesses several properties that make it an excellent ingredient for mouthwash:
- Antibacterial: Clove contains eugenol, a potent antibacterial compound. This property helps to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.
- Antimicrobial: In addition to its antibacterial effects, clove also has antimicrobial properties. This means it can inhibit the growth of microorganisms, further promoting oral health by reducing the presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
- Analgesic: Clove has analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, which can help to alleviate toothaches and gum pain. Rinsing with clove mouthwash may provide temporary relief from oral discomfort.
- Anti-inflammatory: Eugenol found in clove also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation in the gums and mouth tissues. This property is beneficial for promoting overall oral health and may aid in the treatment of gum disease.
- Freshens breath: The natural aroma of clove imparts a pleasant scent to the mouthwash, helping to freshen breath naturally without the need for artificial fragrances or additives. (Source)
Ultimately, clove’s combination of antibacterial, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties makes it an effective and natural ingredient for promoting oral health and fresh breath.
More DIY Personal Care Recipes
- Homemade Bath Bombs
- DIY Dry Shampoo
- Easy Handmade Bath Gifts
- Homemade Lavender Soap
- DIY Clarifying Shampoo
DIY Clove Mouthwash
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan or kettle.
- Place whole cloves in a heat-resistant container, such as a mason jar.
- Pour the boiling water over the cloves.
- Cover the container and allow the mixture to cool, about 20 minutes.
- Strain the mouthwash and pour into a clean container with a lid.
To Use Homemade Clove Mouthwash:
- Swish 1 Tablespoon of mouthwash for 15-30 seconds and spit. Do not swallow. Use up to two times per day.
Notes
Nutrition
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I made this today. It’s really good. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi, Jean! Thank you for trying the recipe and coming back to comment. I love hearing from those who try my DIY recipes. So glad you enjoyed it!!
How long will it keep for?
Thank you for sharing this recipe! My mom also makes her own mouthwash but with clove essential oil.
I’ve mentioned this blog post in my latest blog! Check it out: https://milknhoneylifestyle.com/benefits-of-essential-oils-how-to-use-them-2/
– Jenn
Thank you so much for the shoutout, Jenn! I checked out and shared your informative post.
Hi thank you for this mouthwash recipe I love it but I use one tablespoon on a large mason jar I used more than 8 ounces of water and it still works for me I leave there for two days and when .y other bottle is finished I use my new one. Is this ok????
How long does the mouthwash and how should you store it?
Hi LaKeisha,
The mouthwash will keep for a year in a sealed container. I like to use a mason jar. It can be stored at room temperature. I keep mine in a medicine cabinet, but it is not necessary to keep in a dark place.
Thank you, so much, for this recipe! I love cloves, have a bunch of them, and I also love the idea of adding cinnamon, orange peel, and maybe peppermint leaves. I’ve made a toothpaste with natural ingredients (herbs, salt, baking soda, coconut oil), as well, but it doesn’t taste very good. This sounds like the perfect mix to finish things off with. 🙂 I do want to say a word of caution re: using clove essential oil for this mix. My understanding (having taken a class on the subject) is that if essential oils are too concentrated, they can demineralize teeth, which of course would be counterproductive.
Blessings!
Can you leave the cloves in the Mouthwash?
Started doing more natural things for my health. Added the clove mouthwash and my mouth feels fresher for sure ! My son has requested some for his bathroom so after I shared a little of mine. Thanks!
Je ne pouvais pas résister à l’envie de commenter 🙂
Merci d’avoir commenté. (I am sorry if grammar is wrong. I had to use a translator.) 🙂
Love it. Making a second batch today.
Thank you.
I made this and put it in a glass jar with rubber on the lid. I used filtered water to boil, and added a cinnamon stick to the cloves. It tasted great for the first few times I’ve used it, but after a few weeks, I tried it again and it almost tastes spoiled. Do I need to refrigerate it next time?
Thanks!