This is the reason why people are leaving bay leaves in their washing machine

Many of us typically think of bay leaves as an ingredient for soups, stews, and braises, or because of their healing properties, which have made them a staple in traditional medicine for centuries. However, some people believe bay leaves can also play a role in doing the laundry, even if science doesn’t necessarily agree.

A solution for stubborn odors

Waiting too long to take your clothes out of the washing machine can leave them with a damp smell that’s hard to remove. Pulling stuffy-smelling garments out of the closet that haven’t been worn for over a year, or using the same sweat-soaked t-shirt for multiple gym sessions can be equally unpleasant.

In each of these cases, and many others, bay leaves are said to help eliminate lingering smells that might otherwise be impossible to get rid of.

How the hack works

Bay leaves are natural fresheners and disinfectants, which has led to claims that they can remove bacteria and fungi that cause clothes to smell in the first place.

All you need to do is throw a few dried bay leaves directly into the drum with your laundry, along with detergent, select your preferred program, and wash as usual. When your clothes come out, the viral hack promises, they will be free of even the nastiest odors and smell fresh once again.

Science or tradition?

It should be noted that there is no scientific evidence to suggest bay leaves can magically revitalize garments in this way. The trick is more of an old-world remedy making a comeback. Still, there’s no harm in trying it, so it might be worth giving it a go the next time you need to freshen your whites.

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