Have you ever put bay leaves on your washing machine? On TikTok, this is the homemade trick that went viral. Laurus nobilis, (yes, the cooking leaf) is supposed to be used during the laundry cycle to combat household odors and restore the fresh scent of clothing.
People who use it, describe it as a natural disinfectant that may help with bacteria and fungi and believe it matches the feel of natural cleaning. The hacks also relates to a sustainable home mindset because is about using basic and natural ideas before grabbing more chemicals.
There is no concrete proof that fabric is magically reset by bay leaves. Consider this a cleaning tip that gives an old-fashioned trick a modern makeover rather than a definite solution.
What the bay leaf hack claims
Persistent odors can be a very annoying and ongoing issue. Clothes that are left out for a long period of time, sweaty t-shirts that are worn a few times, or items that are taken out of the closet after months can all leave behind household odors. Bay leaves can reduce these funky odors that originate from bacteria and fungi because it works as a freshener and possibly a natural disinfectant.
There are usually the simple and cheap ideas that spread quickly on TikTok, especially cleaning tips that just need one action and promise big results. Well, this approach also feels safe and “clean” because it involves only a kitchen ingredient, which fits into sustainable home ideals and natural cleaning.
But “popular” doesn’t mean “proven.” In any laundry routine, keep in mind that timing, water temperature, and detergent still do most of the work.
How to use the bay leaves trick
If you wan to try this hack, well is not that complicated: throw a few dried bay leaves into your washing machine’s drum, add your regular detergent, and then select your regular program. It’s actually like a regular washing cycle but putting in some bay leaves, that’s the “special” step. Still, some people like to also add fabric softener.
Even if the clothes were damp at first or had a closet-like smell, the guarantee is that they will smell cleaner after being cleaned.
But keep in mind that this isn’t supported by lab evidence. Which means that it’s unlikely that the leaves by themselves will do miracles if the odor is too strong. Also, while some publications claim that bay leaves are a natural disinfectant, this doesn’t imply that they have an actual medicinal-grade effect; it just simply means that they are a more natural and traditional way to bring freshness and perfume than regular detergents.
So, use the hack as a low-risk experiment rather than as a substitute for basic laundry practices like washing clothes on time and using the right detergent.
Give it a try (but don’t expect magic)
Laurus nobilis, a common culinary item, somehow ended up in the washing machine and became a fast home remedy to address odors, combining tradition with internet speed. And additionally, it’s a sustainable home practice.
It sounds like a great solution, it does, but there is still little proof and for the moment, bay leaves are not a replacement for proper washing practices yet, even though some users prefer a fresher aroma.
Try a few leaves on a regular load and see if your clothing smell better if it’s something that fits you.
In any case, keep in mind that bacteria and fungi are typically the source of persistent scents, and that the most effective remedies are still the simple ones you can manage: wash your clothing on time, and whatever herb or detergent you use, don’t let damp items unhung up.