That’s Why You Need to Put a Bay Leaf in the Mop Bucket
September 19, 2023
source: ABBY MERCER/ALLRECIPES
Cleaning floors can often feel like a daunting task, especially if you find it to be a bit of a chore. But what if I told you there’s a game-changing trick that can make this essential household duty a breeze? No, it’s not a magic spell or a super-expensive cleaning product – it’s something as simple and affordable as a bay leaf!
The Challenge of Cleaning Floors
Let’s face it; cleaning floors is not exactly everyone’s favorite activity. The thought of dragging out the mop and bucket, wringing out the mop, and going through the motions of scrubbing can be downright unappealing, especially after a long day. However, maintaining clean and shiny floors is crucial for a healthy and aesthetically pleasing home environment.
The Game-Changer: Bay Leaf
Enter the humble bay leaf, a common herb that is probably sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now. You might be familiar with using bay leaves in cooking to add flavor to soups and stews, but did you know they can also work wonders for your floors? Here’s how:
1. Refreshing Scent
One of the most delightful benefits of adding a bay leaf to your mop bucket is the refreshing scent it imparts. As you mop your floors, the bay leaf releases its aromatic oils, filling your home with a pleasant, natural fragrance. It’s like giving your home a spa treatment every time you clean!
2. Anti-Germ Properties
Bay leaves are not just about creating a delightful atmosphere; they also have natural anti-germ properties. This means that as you mop with bay leaves, you’re not only cleaning your floors but also adding an extra layer of protection against harmful bacteria and germs. This is especially important in high-traffic areas where dirt and germs tend to accumulate.
3. Keeping Annoying Pests Away
Another remarkable benefit of bay leaves is their ability to repel annoying pests like mosquitoes and flies. The scent of bay leaves is pleasant to humans but repulsive to many insects. By incorporating bay leaves into your cleaning routine, you can help keep these pesky bugs at bay, making your home a more comfortable and bug-free space.
4. Shiny Floors
Besides their aromatic and protective properties, bay leaves can also help you achieve sparkling, shiny floors. The natural oils in bay leaves can add a beautiful sheen to your surfaces, leaving your floors looking brand new.
5. Cost-Effective
Perhaps the best part about using bay leaves for mopping is how cost-effective it is. Bay leaves are incredibly affordable and readily available in most grocery stores. You don’t need expensive cleaning products or chemicals to achieve outstanding results – just a simple bay leaf will do the trick.
How to Use Bay Leaves for Mopping
Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of using bay leaves in your mop bucket, let’s go over how to do it properly:
Ingredients:
- Mop bucket filled with warm water
- Your regular floor cleaner
- 2-3 dried bay leaves
- Instructions:
Fill your mop bucket with warm water as you normally would when cleaning your floors.
Add your regular floor cleaner to the water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Drop 2-3 dried bay leaves into the bucket.
Allow the bay leaves to sit in the water for a few minutes to release their fragrance and natural oils. Then, proceed to mop your floors as usual. You’ll be amazed at how much fresher and cleaner your home will feel after using this simple yet effective trick.
Cleaning floors doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By adding bay leaves to your mop bucket, you can enjoy a refreshing scent, benefit from their anti-germ properties, keep annoying pests at bay, and achieve shiny floors without breaking the bank. Give it a try, and you’ll never look at floor cleaning the same way again!