You’re sure to find bay leaves in hearty stews, Mediterranean sauces or savory meat dishes. But did you know that you can use the spicy leaves in more than just the kitchen? Bay leaves also work wonders in the washing machine. Do you already know this simple household trick? If not, read on quickly!
Why you should put bay leaves in the washing machine
Bay leaf is more than just an aromatic culinary herb. The leaves contain essential oils with antibacterial and antifungal effects – properties that can be put to good use when washing.
Fresh scent instead of musty laundry
If your towels smell unpleasant after washing or your heavily used sportswear just doesn’t want to be fresh anymore, bay leaves in the washing machine can help! They reliably neutralize unpleasant odours – without any artificial perfumes.
Antibacterial cleaning with plant power
Laurel has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. This means that it helps to remove bacteria, mold and other microorganisms from your clothes – completely naturally and without chemical additives. This is a real plus point, especially for bed linen, underwear or children’s clothing!
Also good for the machine itself
It’s not just your laundry that benefits from bay leaves: the washing machine is also happy about the green all-rounder. Bay leaves counteract the build-up of detergent residues and unpleasant odors in the drum. This keeps your machine fresh and clean for longer.
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How it works – using bay leaves correctly in the washing machine
All you need is a few dried bay leaves (approx. 2-3 per wash cycle). It’s best to put them in a small laundry net or cotton bag so that they don’t scatter or crumble in the drum. Then simply add them to the laundry and wash as usual. The essential oils develop their effect during the entire wash cycle.
TipIf you like, you can add a few drops of laurel essential oil to the fabric softener compartment for an even more intense fragrance.
Bay leaves in the washing machine are a small but effective insider tip for anyone who wants to clean and freshen up their laundry in a natural way. They provide freshness, hygiene and care all in one – without any chemicals. So it’s definitely worth a try.
Source: chip.de