By Betsy Jabs
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: 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
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup filtered water (or distilled)
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
-
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.
-
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.
Made this recipe?
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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%.
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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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.
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!
Heed the warnings on the labels to be safe. Essential oils are very powerful.
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!
You’ll love it Sally…it’s just so simple!
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
Hey Betsy,
Great to see you are steering people away from nasty alcohol laden mouth washes. keep it up.
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.
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.
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! ^_^
wow !! Amazing article on mouthwash ., thanks for sharing homemade mouthwash recipe here
resvibrant
where do you buy Xylitol?
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.
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 🙂
Hi Steven, since we’re not dental professionals we recommend you consult your dentist to see what is best for you. God bless.
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 🙂
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 !
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
I would recommend using 1 teaspoon of Xylitol per 1/2 cup of water. Enjoy!
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 🙁
We do NOT recommend using this mouthwash as a substitute for brushing. Check out our homemade toothpaste article: https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toothpaste-recipe-easy-and-frugal/
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!
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! 🙂
Betsy,
After making the mouthwash, what per use amount to you recommend?
All the best to you and Matt!
Swish about 2-3 teaspoons in your mouth per use. Enjoy!
You should add Xylitol to your homemade mouthwash. It is sweet and it prevents cavities as much as fluoride and is completely safe.
Not weird at all! You are resourceful, creative, frugal, and wonderful for wanting to do these things for your family! Keep it up! 🙂
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!
Thanks Jeff. What did you think of the mouthwash?
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. 🙂
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).
Great article Betsy! Glad to see you writing.
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!
We are working on new things every day…lots more to come! Glad you found us too Nat!