07:45 05-12-2025

Bay leaves in laundry: natural booster for fresh whites

Generated by DALL·E

Learn how bay leaves brighten whites, refresh colors, and add a gentle scent to laundry, with easy tips for using them in the washer or for hand washing.

Bay leaves have long been a staple in the kitchen, but they also have a less obvious job. Ordinary dried leaves can lift the quality of a wash, freshen laundry, and even stand in for familiar fragrance boosters. Many people already use the trick, and it continues to catch on.

Why bay leaves go into laundry

Sometimes the simplest household tricks prove the most effective. At home, everyday items get repurposed in all sorts of ways: some keep wardrobes smelling fresh with scented stickers, others make their own sachets, and some turn to pantry spices.

Bay leaf is one of those quiet helpers. It adds aroma in cooking and works surprisingly well in the washing machine. The effect is especially noticeable on whites: the leaf seems to draw out grime, helps brighten the fabric, and leaves it feeling fresher.

How bay leaf affects fabric

This spice suits both white and colored items. On light fabrics, it acts like a gentle whitener—without harsh components. Colored clothes washed with bay leaf keep their brightness, don’t look dull, and are less prone to losing shape.

The scent after such a wash is soft and spicy, and it lingers on the fabric. That can replace conditioner if its perfume feels too strong or if you prefer a more natural approach.

Ways to use bay leaves

There are a few simple options for machine and hand washing:

Into the drum

Place 3–5 dry leaves directly with the laundry. This method is universal and suits most cycles.

Into the softener compartment

Add the same 3–5 leaves if fabrics need extra care—for instance, if they look overwashed or have lost their freshness.

For hand washing

Drop the leaves into the basin with water. This works for delicate fabrics that shouldn’t go in the machine.

In a fabric pouch

Put bay leaves into a small pouch or a clean sock, tie it, and place it in the washing machine. This helps avoid crumbs on clothes.

Other everyday uses

The spice is handy beyond the laundry room. Bay leaves are placed in wardrobes to deter moths—their aroma repels pests and helps protect clothing. Some people burn the leaves as incense. Even without any ritual, the result is clear: the air in the room becomes fresher and gentler.