Homemade Mouthwash: A Natural Antibacterial Recipe for Fresh Breath

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Homemade Mouthwash

Our homemade mouthwash is natural, effective, and gentle, not harsh like the commercial stuff. This DIY mouthwash is simple and inexpensive!

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 the beneficial properties of peppermint essential oil, I did what any creative DIY’er would do, I set out to make my own.

Homemade Mouthwash

Homemade Mouthwash: A Natural and Antibacterial DIY Recipe

Our homemade mouthwash is natural, effective, and gentle, not harsh like the commercial stuff. This DIY mouthwash is simple and inexpensive!

Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
2 minutes
Total Time
7 minutes
Servings
4 ounces

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. The baking soda will settle to the bottom of the jar when not in use, so be sure to shake your homemade mouthwash before each use.

  2. 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.

Recipe Video

Notes

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.

We strive to create recipes that are easy to make, inexpensive, and effective. This homemade mouthwash is all that and even has antibacterial and antifungal properties to help keep bad breath at bay.

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Homemade Mouthwash is Better and Cheaper

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.

This homemade DIY mouthwash delivers us a savings of approximately 250%.

Homemade Mouthwash 1

Xylitol Mouthwash and Other Optional Ingredients

First, xylitol is a natural sweetener proven to have a positive effect on tooth and gum health. Further, any natural dentists recommend xylitol and it is now a popular ingredient in natural toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash. To clarify, it is not a necessary ingredient for this natural homemade mouthwash but it will improve the taste and even the effectiveness. Lastly, about 1 teaspoon is recommended if you are using it 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.

Make your own homemade mouthwash today!

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Avatar photo

About Betsy Jabs

Betsy holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling, and for nearly a decade worked as an elementary counselor. In 2011 she left her counseling career to pursue healthy living. She loves using DIY Natural as a way to educate people to depend on themselves to nourish their bodies and live happier healthier lives. Connect with Betsy on Facebookand Twitter.

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for us to support our website activities, we may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this website.

DISCLAIMER: Information on DIY Natural™ is not reviewed or endorsed by the FDA and is NOT intended to be substituted for the advice of your health care professional. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure statements here.

Comments

  1. Avatar photoRoseanne says

    People have no idea that fast growth shampoos (obviously with no sulfates, no parabens or DEA) even exist. Folks can now experience longer hair and enjoy more possibilities. Surely worth considering.

    Whether you’re dealing with alopecia, damaged hair, preventing hair disorders, fast hair growth, hair health at large, similar ideas become relevant.

    In most cases, you will want to steer clear of hair products and treatments that use chemicals such as parabens, DEA or sulfates.

    What is beneficial for your hair is healthy for your skin as well.

    Obviously your content above is so useful for many reasons. It stays away from the accustomed traps and errors so many fall into- getting ineffective alternatives. Thank you so much!

  2. Avatar photoNiki says

    It would be wonderful if you compiled all the beauty recipes into a book like you did the cleaners. I own the book! I like having all the recipes together for ease of finding when I need them. Thanks for all you do!

  3. Avatar photoirene says

    Xylitol is a sugar alcohol as is malitol and should not be used by anyone allergic to alcohol or has an alcohol problem.

  4. Avatar photoRose says

    What great timing! I had it on my list to find a mouthwash since my gums have been bleeding. I just tried your mouthwash and don’t like the saltiness of the baking soda. Has anyone ever tried a salt free baking soda? Also, can you use Spearmint EO in place of the Peppermint? I seem to be sensitive to Peppermint EO. Thanks.

    • Avatar photoMary says

      For me, the absolute best way to deal with bleeding gums is:
      Baking Soda
      Dental Floss
      Listerine (Substitute Listerine with Dr. Tichnor’s)
      Peroxide
      Toothpaste
      Water

      Floss each tooth, well (some discomfort and bleeding will occur but will decrease and finally disappear, the more you use this treatment)

      Stir 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of peroxide in an 8oz glass of warm water. (Mixing the baking soda with peroxide and warm water minimizes the salty taste of the baking soda).

      Swish liquid around wetting all teeth & gums & spit out (*do not swallow*)

      Brush teeth & gums with your favorite toothpaste. (Some great toothpaste for bleeding gums are: Colgate Daily Repair, Paradontax, ProNamel, Sensodyne). The Dollar Store also sells a knock-off brand that works very well if funds are too tight for buying brand name toothpastes.

      Follow by gargling and swishing with Listerine or *Dr. Tichnors mouthwash. (Dr. Tichnor’s is an extra strength mouthwash and should not be used straight; mix with a good bit of water until you find a strength that works for you).

      If your gums are bleeding, your breath is smelling. (To prove it, floss 2 or 3 teeth and smell the floss. If there is an odor on the floss, there’s odor on your breath).

      Flossing along with using the peroxide, pulls the bacteria from beneath the gum line. No amount of brushing will ever do that.

      You, your co-workers, family members, friends and (most of all) your significant other, will appreciate the results!!!

  5. Avatar photoCindy says

    Thank you for your tips, I’m enjoying your website! One thing I also add to my homemade mouthwash is Aloe Vera juice or gel (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral), and witch hazel (anti-inflammatory, and reduces bleeding gums).

    • Avatar photoRose says

      Cindy, how much witch hazel and aloe did you add to the 1/c water? Thanks for posting this info as I am having bleeding gum problems.

  6. Avatar photoLinda says

    Yes, to one repsonse, I also only us Young Living oils, pure and can be taken internally, that way if you swallow a little while brushing it is fine.
    Question: Why is Xylitol so bad that it can cause death in dogs?

    • Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

      Great question Linda. Xylitol is safe for people and doesn’t affect glucose levels in humans, but it causes a dangerous surge of insulin when ingested by dogs. This insulin surge can be deadly. It’s just a difference in the way our bodies process it.

  7. Avatar photoSue says

    I find this mouthwash quite nice. Thank you. May I ask if you rinse your mouth with plain water after rinsing with the mouthwash? Would this just be a matter of personal preference or would there be advantage or disadvantage either way? Appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks.

    • Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

      You can do this depending on the consistency of your homemade toothpaste. If you’re only using coconut oil/baking soda, it won’t be pasty enough to squeeze out of a container. If you’re mixing something like pure aloe vera into the paste, it will work well in a squeeze bottle.

  8. Avatar photoSue says

    I like the mouthwash recipe you gave. Thanks. I have put it in the bathroom in a sippy cup with a cover for convenience. Of course it’s just me using it, so hygiene concerns for a family would be different.

  9. Avatar photoSue says

    I have heard some confusion on whether baking soda contains aluminum or not? Bob’s Red Mill sells an aluminum free baking soda, but Arm n Hammer baking soda just lists sodium bicarbonate on the ingredients and says nothing about aluminum. (Not to be confused with baking powder which can contain aluminum and can be bought aluminum free) I read that the aluminum enters in the processing and production of the baking soda and that Bob’s Red Mill uses a different process. If so, would aluminum free baking soda be better reserved for hair washing, tooth powders, deodorants, and other personal care products and the other brands okay for just cleaning? Do you have any information on this? Cost of the two brands is a definite factor, if you use a lot of it. Thanks.

  10. Avatar photoLisa Brown says

    thanks for the great article! I’m just curious… why baking soda? I don’t love the taste, so I’m wondering if I can get by without it, or if it’s a pretty crucial ingredient.

  11. Avatar photoJeff says

    Thank you both for your quick responses. The tea tee oil link in the recipe above points to Herbal Authority tea tree oil, so I am guessing when choosing a tea tree oil I should look for “therapeutic-grade” according to Tiffany’s response. Seems like most uses for tea tree oil is for skin issues and bug bites. I am new to this and I just don’t want use the wrong oil. Thank – you

    • Avatar photoCarol L says

      “therapeutic grade” is a marketing tag. There is NO SUCH thing as therapeutic grade. It is given by companies to make their products sell better.

  12. Avatar photoJeff says

    I am looking for a good recipe for mouthwash, I have one question about tea tree oil, the oil that I am finding in stores is stating on the label “for external use only”. Is it safe for the mouth as long as you don’t swallow? It is hard to swish in the mouth without swallowing some little amounts especially when gargling.

    • Avatar photoTiffany Takao says

      Hi Jeff. You are right about the oils that say ‘for external use only’. I am using only Young Living oils, as they are safe for internal use, directly on the skin, in capsules, etc. You need to be very careful when using something that is not therapeutic-grade, because they can have adverse side effects. Let me know if you want to learn more. There are free videos on my website that explain the difference. Take care!

  13. Avatar photosally says

    So glad to have found this. I’ve been wanting to make a more natural, less chemical mouthwash at home. Can’t wait to try this!

  14. Avatar photosteven i says

    I just tried it, and it was great! was surprised that i had both oils in the house, but i did. a friend recently gave me some great orange blossom organic honey so i added a tiny bit of that (took a while to stir into my mix). my garlicky salad aftertaste from lunch is long gone.
    thanks

  15. Avatar photoPeter says

    Hey Betsy,
    Great to see you are steering people away from nasty alcohol laden mouth washes. keep it up.

  16. Avatar photoBrian says

    I was looking around for more ideas after great success with the diy laundry soap. This looks promising, but I have a warning about Xylitol.

    Dog caretakers beware, Xylitolis highly toxic to our canine friends. Even a small dose can cause renal failure and death. If you do chose to use Xylitol, be sure to keep it, and anything you use it in away from dogs.

    • Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

      Thanks for reminding Brian. There is a warning about the danger Xylitol poses to dogs in my original Xylitol article, but I will add one here as well.

  17. Avatar photoCeleste says

    I thank you for your suggesstion, I shall try vinegar instead. My teeth are just sensitive to cold right now(Not severely but when I cannot bite out a piece of a popiscle, due to its coldness). I’m look forward to the benefits of this mouthwash. Naturalism Rules! ^_^

  18. Avatar photoresvibrant says

    wow !! Amazing article on mouthwash ., thanks for sharing homemade mouthwash recipe here
    resvibrant

    • Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

      We found Xylitol at our local health food store. However, I know you can also buy it online if you don’t have a good health food store nearby.

  19. Avatar photoSteven says

    Thank you Betsy for your response, but I still do have a lingering question, as the toothpaste does have baking soda in them. I was wondering if the toothpaste is safe to use everyday without irritating the gums? As I have stopped for a day after brushing with baking soda every night and my painful/irritated gums became almost normal again. I do have a pretty minor form of receding gums but was bleeding and hurting a lot when eating/flossing/brushing a couple days ago, until I recently took a short break from brushing with baking soda.
    My current recipe is using 2 tsp of baking soda, 2 tsp of table salt and 2 tsp of 3% solution hydrogen peroxide, with some added water to make that paste texture. It seems my gums are kind of sensitive, due to receding gums, as I did have braces+retainers for quite long(I think 4~5 years). But i’m not sure if it could also be because of hydrogen peroxide, although I doubt it :/

    Well thanks for reading and awaiting a reply 🙂

      • Avatar photoSteven says

        Oh alright, although I’m expecting the dentist to recommend me to a fluoride-based toothpaste, from which I do not wish to use. I’ll probably try buying/trying tooth soap and see how that works out, with the baking soda brushing 1~2 times a week and the occasional rinsing/gargling with this mouth wash.

        Well, thank you for taking the time to read through my long posts, I really appreciate it 🙂

        • Avatar photolisa says

          Hi Steven,
          When I started out using this formula, it was recommended to use aloe vera juice at first and then introduce the hydrogen peroxide (OMIT Salt) until your gums are not so sensitive. I think this would be more soothing to your gums and balance the pH of the baking soda. Perhaps adding Xylitol would be good as well (as it is “sweet and prevents cavities – I will be adding that recommendation into my formula 🙂

          We gargle with 1 part water/ 1 part hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse that will also deal with bacteria and whiten teeth.

          My husband and I have used this to make our gums healthier, and our dentist noticed the difference…He did not even have to clean my teeth, and that is a first !

          Hope this helps, God bless !

    • Avatar photoceleste says

      steven_ I was reading your note about yuor gums hurting.. I have experienced this and have heard before.. we believed one of the possibilities is the Hdrogen Peroxide… instead of that, maybe try Vinegar, and /or coconut oil.

      • Avatar photoCindy says

        Steven, vinegar (anything too acidic) is harmful to tooth enamel. I have sensitive and receding gums due to dry mouth. The gentlest toothpaste that works for me is plain coconut oil. You can also add a very small amount of powdered calcium and magnesium. Melt the oil, stir in the powders (less than 1/8 tsp) and I sometimes add a dash of peppermint extract for a bit of flavor. Baking soda, salt and peroxide are harsh for your gums and teeth. As suggested, check with your dentist. There are non-fluoride organic toothpaste that you can purchase as well.

        • Avatar photocheryl says

          I would not be using the solid coconut oil as this can plug up your plumbing but use fractionated coconut oil unless your’re not spitting it in the sink after rinsing

        • Avatar photoKaren says

          I will make some this weekend. Love this website, so many healthy and inexpensive solutions!

          Cindy, I have dry mouth from medications. My dentist said I needed frequent zylitol, and the best solution for sleeping is OraCoat Xylimelts. Vegan, gluten-free, it’s a disc that sticks to your gum and lasts me 3-5 hours. Can be halved with a pill cutter. No gummy residue that requires brushing afterward like other similar products. Basically like an Altoid that stays on your gum, comes in mint (strong) or mint-free. Safe for elderly or CPap patiets. Cheapest online. Works great at night.

  20. Avatar photoStacy says

    Hi! I am so enjoying yall’s site and having so much fun making all kinds of homemade stuff and learning how much money we WASTE on paying others to make this stuff for us!
    How much Xylitol would you recommend adding to 1 mouthwash recipe? Looking forward to trying this!

  21. Avatar photoSteven says

    Oh and I forgot to ask if it would be ok to just use this mouth wash, rather than tooth brush and tooth paste, even if homemade. I been using the baking soda+salt+water everyday for a week and found out that my gums are hurting a lot. So, I’m wondering if I use this mouth wash a few times a day and brush with baking soda and salt, will my teeth be alright or will it get worse?

    If i must use tooth brush and paste, what are home ingredients that you recommend and for it to not harm the teeth/enamel if used everyday?

    Sorry for long post, but i’m really confused 🙁

  22. Avatar photoSteven says

    Hi there Betsy, I have created this mouth wash that you had shared and found that it was pretty good.But i was wondering if it was safe to perhaps like 1~2 more drops of peppermint oil to the mixture and have no negative effect to the teeth or gum? I do get the strong smell of peppermint but not quite the flavor afterwards.

    Thanks!

    • Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

      Yes, 1-2 more drops of peppermint would be safe to add, but I would not add any more than this. As with any mouthwash, be sure not to swallow during use. Happy gargling! 🙂

  23. Avatar photoMichael says

    Betsy,

    After making the mouthwash, what per use amount to you recommend?

    All the best to you and Matt!

  24. Avatar photoRuthiness says

    You should add Xylitol to your homemade mouthwash. It is sweet and it prevents cavities as much as fluoride and is completely safe.

  25. Avatar photoBetsy Jabs says

    Not weird at all! You are resourceful, creative, frugal, and wonderful for wanting to do these things for your family! Keep it up! 🙂

  26. Avatar photolibertylover73 says

    I really like the thing I have seen on your site I found it totally by accident. It makes me feel like i’m not weird I grind my own hamburger and bake most of my famillys bread I think that I will love the acomplishment of not having to buy these products anymore thanks again and God bless you and your work!

  27. Avatar photoJanine says

    I just thought of something…While visiting, my granddaughter asked if I had brown sugar. I said no, I just use Turbinado for everything but then said “well you know, brown sugar is just sugar with molasses in it”.. so, I got out the sugar and molasses and mixed some up. I am planning on buying two containers of sugar next time and will make one into brown sugar. I used about a half cup of turbinado to 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses. You can make it as dark or light as you like. I thought I would share this with you. 🙂

    • Avatar photoTiffany says

      I have done this for a long time. No need to buy brown sugar, and the flavor is the same (and no pounding to break a part hard, old brown sugar).

  28. Avatar photoNat says

    I’m a frugal vegan whose about to leave for college and will have to purchase my own household needs. (Laundry detergent, for example.) I’m so glad I found your site!