Making clove mouthwash at home takes about 20 minutes and requires just whole cloves and water. The active compound in cloves works by breaking down bacterial cell walls in your mouth, which is why clove has been used in dentistry for centuries. A simple hot infusion extracts enough of this compound to create a rinse that research suggests performs comparably to standard antiseptic mouthwashes for reducing plaque.
Basic Clove Mouthwash Recipe
The standard ratio is 1 tablespoon of whole cloves to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to a full boil, then pour it over the cloves in a heat-resistant container like a mason jar. Cover the jar and let the mixture steep and cool for about 20 minutes. Once it reaches room temperature, strain out the cloves through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You’ll end up with a light brown liquid that smells strongly of cloves.
Store the finished mouthwash in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator. Because there are no preservatives, it stays fresh for about 5 to 7 days. Making small batches weekly is the simplest way to keep it effective. To use it, swish about 2 tablespoons around your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds, then spit it out.
Why Cloves Work as a Mouthwash
Cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which makes up roughly 70 to 90 percent of clove essential oil. Eugenol fights bacteria through a few different mechanisms. It disrupts bacterial cell membranes by increasing their permeability, essentially poking holes that cause the cell contents to leak out. Its oily, hydrophobic nature also lets it penetrate the outer walls of harmful gram-negative bacteria and break down their structure from the outside in. On top of that, eugenol blocks certain bacterial enzymes, which slows their ability to multiply and form the biofilm that becomes plaque on your teeth.
This antibacterial action translates to real results. A clinical trial comparing herbal mouthwashes to chlorhexidine (the prescription-strength antiseptic dentists commonly recommend) found that both groups showed a significant decrease in plaque after three days of use. The chlorhexidine group had a slightly greater reduction, but the difference was not statistically significant. In practical terms, herbal rinses with compounds like eugenol performed on par with the standard clinical option.
Variations and Optional Additions
The plain clove and water version works well on its own, but you can adjust the recipe to improve flavor or add complementary benefits. A teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves steeped alongside the cloves gives a fresher taste without affecting the antibacterial properties. A pinch of cinnamon pairs naturally with clove and has its own mild antimicrobial activity. Half a teaspoon of salt dissolved into the warm liquid before cooling adds extra soothing properties for irritated gums.
Some recipes call for adding a teaspoon of baking soda to help neutralize acids in the mouth, which can be useful if you’re prone to acidic saliva or drink a lot of coffee. A small splash of food-grade peppermint extract after straining can also make the experience more pleasant if the clove flavor is too intense on its own.
Whole Cloves vs. Clove Essential Oil
This is an important distinction. A hot water infusion of whole cloves produces a mild, diluted extract that’s gentle on your oral tissues. Clove essential oil is a concentrated form of eugenol that can cause real damage to the soft tissue in your mouth if used incorrectly.
At low doses, eugenol causes only minor local irritation. But at higher concentrations, like those found in undiluted essential oil, it can cause oral ulcers, painful gums, and tissue injury. Case reports in dental literature describe patients developing burning mouth symptoms from concentrated eugenol exposure, with one case persisting for two years before the cause was identified. A positive allergy patch test confirmed the connection. If you do want to use clove essential oil instead of whole cloves, limit it to 2 or 3 drops per cup of water, and stop using it if you notice any burning, soreness, or unusual sensitivity in your mouth or on your lips.
Whole cloves are the safer starting point. The hot water extraction naturally limits how much eugenol ends up in your rinse, making it much harder to accidentally irritate your tissues.
What to Expect With Regular Use
Clove mouthwash has a warm, slightly numbing taste. This is the eugenol at work, and it’s the same reason dentists have historically used clove oil as a topical pain reliever during procedures. The numbing sensation is mild with a water infusion and fades within a few minutes.
Unlike chlorhexidine, which is known to stain teeth brown with prolonged use and alter taste perception, clove-based rinses have been noted to cause fewer side effects in comparative studies. The rinse itself is light brown, but it does not appear to cause tooth staining at normal use levels. Most people find the taste acceptable, especially with peppermint or cinnamon added.
For best results, use the rinse twice a day, after brushing. It works as a supplement to brushing and flossing, not a replacement. The antibacterial effects help reduce the bacterial load between cleanings, but they don’t physically remove plaque the way a toothbrush does. If you notice any irritation, redness, or increased sensitivity after a few days of use, take a break. Eugenol allergies are uncommon but do exist, and contact dermatitis in the mouth can develop after days or even weeks of repeated exposure.