No amount of diluting or adding mint helped—it just got worse.
That sounds all too familiar. I tried making a homemade sage mouthwash once because I read it could help with gum irritation. The smell was so overpowering, I started worrying it’d cling to everything in the fridge. I kept adding lemon and even a bit of honey, but honestly, it just turned into a weird herbal syrup that nobody wanted to use. At some point, you have to weigh the cost of ingredients against the potential benefit… and sometimes, tossing it really is the most budget-friendly option.
At some point, you have to weigh the cost of ingredients against the potential benefit… and sometimes, tossing it really is the most budget-friendly option.
I get that feeling. I tried making a clove tincture once because someone online said it’d help with tooth pain, but I think I messed up the ratios. The smell was so strong it made my eyes water, and even after diluting, it just tasted... off. I kept thinking, “Is this even safe to put in my mouth?” There’s this urge to salvage it because you’ve already spent the time and money, but sometimes it’s just not worth risking a weird reaction.
If you’re set on fixing something like that, I’ve heard letting it sit uncovered for a bit (in a safe spot) can help some of the stronger odors mellow out, but honestly, I’m with you—it’s probably safer (and less stressful) to just cut your losses. I always feel anxious about using homemade stuff unless I know exactly what went into it and how strong it is. Maybe next time, smaller batches? That way if it goes sideways, it doesn’t sting as much to toss.
There’s this urge to salvage it because you’ve already spent the time and money, but sometimes it’s just not worth risking a weird reaction.
Can totally relate. I once tried making a homemade mouth rinse with peppermint oil—figured it’d be “natural,” but it ended up tasting like I’d gargled a Christmas candle. My gums tingled for hours (not in a good way). Now I stick to smaller batches too. Sometimes you just have to laugh, toss it, and call it a learning experience.
I get wanting to just toss it and move on, but I always feel weird about wasting stuff—even if it’s a science experiment gone wrong. Like, with strong oils, sometimes I’ll try diluting it way down or mixing with something bland (plain coconut oil, maybe?) before giving up. Still, I’m super cautious since my gums are drama queens... one tingle and I’m convinced I’ve made things worse. Guess there’s a fine line between “DIY” and “nope, not worth it.”
That’s totally relatable—my gums are super sensitive too, and I’ve definitely had a few “what was I thinking?” moments with DIY oils. I’ve found that diluting with coconut oil helps, but sometimes the taste or smell is just too much and it’s not worth risking irritation. Honestly, if it feels off or makes your mouth tingle, it’s usually a sign to just let it go. I hate wasting things, but oral health isn’t something I want to gamble with. Sometimes the safest fix is not using it at all... learned that the hard way after a homemade clove oil fiasco.
