Homemade mouthwash from DIYNatural.com

Homemade Natural Mouthwash

by Betsy Jabs · 32 comments

Ever watched the clock hoping you could endure the burn of your mouthwash for a full minute? I have never been able to stand the harsh burn of commercial mouthwash, so after reading about beneficial properties of peppermint essential oil I did what any creative DIY’er would do… set out to make my own.

Antibacterial natural mouthwash

We strive to create recipes that are easy to make, inexpensive, and effective – this mouthwash is all that and even has antibacterial and antifungal properties to help keep bad breath at bay.  Here’s all you need to make mouthwash:

• A container – I use a small mason jar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Baking soda will settle to the bottom of the jar when not in use, so be sure to shake mouthwash before each use.  Swish about 2-3 teaspoons of this homemade formula in your mouth for a minute or two. As with any mouthwash, try to avoid swallowing this while gargling.
Feel free to double this recipe for a larger batch. Making really big batches is not recommended because the oils will continue to blend over time and flavors can change.

Save money and get better mouthwash

A few years ago we paid $3.50 for a liter (nearly 34 ounces) of generic Listerine, and that’s about the lowest price you’ll find.  If we divide $3.50/34 we get approximately $0.10/ounce for the store bought mouthwash.  Our mouthwash recipe above yields 5 ounces with raw ingredients that cost approximately $0.03/ounce.
If you were to make a liter of this homemade natural mouthwash it would cost you approximately $1.00 which is $2.50 less than the store bought.
Homemade mouthwash delivers us a savings of approximately 250%.

Xylitol mouthwash and other optional ingredients

Xylitol is a natural sweetener proven to have a positive effect on tooth and gum health.  It is recommended by many natural dentists and is now a popular ingredient in natural toothpaste, gum and mouthwash.  It is not a necessary ingredient for this natural homemade mouthwash but it will improve the taste and even the effectiveness. About 1 teaspoon is recommended if using in this recipe.
Matt just ran out of toothpaste and is whipping up a new batch that will include a bit of Xylitol and possibly even some coconut oil for better texture. (Purchase quality coconut oil here.)
Warning: Xylitol can be extremely toxic to dogs. It is best to keep any Xylitol products or items sweetened with Xylitol stored safely away from dogs.
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