If you regularly use mouthwash that you’ve purchased at the store, then you know it isn’t cheap. But did you also know that store-bought mouthwash often includes alcohol and is loaded with a blend of chemicals whose names you can’t pronounce.
So why not make your own mouthwash at home? Here are five easy recipes that won’t break the bank and will provide you with lots of tasty mouthwashes that use “real” ingredients.
Three-Ingredient Mouthwash
Ingredients:
1 cup of filtered water
1 teaspoon of baking soda
3 drops of peppermint essential oil (you can also use cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, peppermint, or tea tree essential oils)
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake very well. This can be kept in the bathroom and does not require refrigeration. Shake well before each use.
Grandma’s Disinfecting Mouthwash
Ingredients:
1 cup of filtered water
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients together in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well before each use. This will keep forever right on your bathroom countertop.
Simple Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening Mouthwash
Ingredients:
1 part hydrogen peroxide
1 part filtered water
Instructions:
Don’t make a large batch of this solution. Try one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of water, for example. Mix in a ceramic or glass container (such as a glass or coffee cup) and use immediately. Swish in the mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow, and do not save any extra solution.
Super Citrus Oil Mouthwash
Ingredients:
2 cups of filtered water
2 teaspoons of calcium carbonate powder
1 teaspoon of xylitol crystals
10 drops of trace mineral liquid
10 drops of peppermint essential oil
5 drops of lemon essential oil
3 drops of wild orange essential oil
Instructions:
In a mason jar, or other similar container with a lid, stir together the xylitol crystals and the calcium powder. Add the essential oils and liquid minerals. Stir again to be sure everything is well combined. Add your water and stir. Close the lid and shake for 1 minute. That’s it! How easy was that?! You can find all these ingredients in your local natural or health food store or online. Store this in the refrigerator (it keeps for 2 to 3 weeks) and shake well before each use.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener proven to have a positive effect on tooth and gum health. It is recommended by many dentists and is now a popular ingredient in natural toothpaste, gum and mouthwash. It will also improve the taste and even the effectiveness of your mouthwash.
Cinnamon and Honey Mouthwash
Ingredients:
2 organic lemons, juiced
½ tablespoon of cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda (not baking powder!)
5 teaspoons of raw, organic honey
1 cup of warm water
Instructions:
Using a mason jar or similar type of container with a tight-fitting lid, add all ingredients in the order given. Be sure the water is very warm as it needs to melt the honey. Close the lid and shake for one minute. Store in the refrigerator and use two tablespoons as a mouth rinse.
As with any mouthwash, be sure not to swallow during use. Happy gargling!
Sources: GreenMedInfo.com, DIYnatural.com, TheAlternativeDaily.com
