Does Mouthwash Keep Flowers Fresh? I Tested This Hack

No one likes to see their bouquet wilting in just a couple of days, right? That’s why I decided to roll up my sleeves and try out a hack I’d heard about for years–using mouthwash for flowers.

There seemed to be plenty of anecdotal evidence online and whispers from gardening enthusiasts, all suggesting this could be a game-changer. But before jumping on the mouthwash bandwagon, I wanted to understand why this would work. After a little digging, I found that mouthwash contains ingredients like alcohol and antibacterial agents that could kill off bacteria in the water–one of the chief culprits responsible for flower deterioration.

To test this out, I decided to conduct my own experiment at home. I wanted to see, firsthand, if adding mouthwash to the vase water could actually combat bacteria growth and extend the life of my bouquet. At the same time, I thought it’d be fun to compare this method with a few other popular flower care hacks, like using sugar or soda. This way, I could discover which tactic was truly the most effective.

If you’re as obsessed with flowers as I am, you’ve probably read about countless flower care hacks claiming to work miracles. Some suggest adding pennies for the copper, while others swear by squeezing in lemon juice to balance the water’s pH levels. All of them sounded intriguing, but as a skeptic, I wanted more than just speculation; I wanted results.

This blog will document my personal experiment with mouthwash for flowers, alongside my trials of other hacks. I hope that by the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to make flowers last longer, whether mouthwash lives up to its reputation, and whether it outshines other tricks.

Along the way, I’ll also share why a good-quality bouquet matters just as much as the care tricks you use. For example, subscription services like BloomsyBox deliver premium-grade blooms right to your doorstep. These flowers often come fresh from farms and are full of life from the get-go, making them an amazing starting point if you want to maximize vase life.

Now, with all the cards on the table, it’s time to deep-dive into the details of my experiment and reveal everything I learned about keeping flowers looking their best for as long as possible.

The Science Behind Using Mouthwash for Flowers

At first, the idea of using mouthwash for flowers seemed strange to me. I mean, why would a product we use in oral care have anything to do with plants? However, once I read more about it, the connection made perfect sense.

Mouthwash contains active ingredients like ethanol and antibacterial compounds, which are formulated to kill germs in our mouths. Interestingly, these same properties can work wonders in your vase water. When we place flowers in water, they release natural sugars and minerals, which become food for bacteria. Over time, these microorganisms multiply, clogging up your flowers’ stems and limiting their ability to absorb water and nutrients.

By adding a small amount of mouthwash to the water, you can reduce bacteria growth. This keeps the water cleaner for longer, allowing your flowers to remain hydrated and fresh. When flowers can efficiently take in water, their petals remain firm, their color more vibrant, and their overall life span is extended.

During my experiment, I used a standard, alcohol-based mouthwash. I opted for a clear variety rather than dyed options to ensure no unnatural coloring affected the flowers. After mixing about a teaspoon into a liter of water, I set my bouquet up for observation. Would this simple tweak live up to the hype?

Learn more about my results and how mouthwash compared to other flower care hacks in the sections below.

Does Mouthwash Keep Flowers Fresh? I Tested This Hack

No one likes to see their bouquet wilting in just a couple of days, right? That’s why I decided to roll up my sleeves and try out a hack I’d heard about for years–using mouthwash for flowers.

There seemed to be plenty of anecdotal evidence online and whispers from gardening enthusiasts, all suggesting this could be a game-changer. But before jumping on the mouthwash bandwagon, I wanted to understand why this would work. After a little digging, I found that mouthwash contains ingredients like alcohol and antibacterial agents that could kill off bacteria in the water–one of the chief culprits responsible for flower deterioration.

To test this out, I decided to conduct my own experiment at home. I wanted to see, firsthand, if adding mouthwash to the vase water could actually combat bacteria growth and extend the life of my bouquet. At the same time, I thought it’d be fun to compare this method with a few other popular flower care hacks, like using sugar or soda. This way, I could discover which tactic was truly the most effective.

If you’re as obsessed with flowers as I am, you’ve probably read about countless flower care hacks claiming to work miracles. Some suggest adding pennies for the copper, while others swear by squeezing in lemon juice to balance the water’s pH levels. All of them sounded intriguing, but as a skeptic, I wanted more than just speculation; I wanted results.

This blog will document my personal experiment with mouthwash for flowers, alongside my trials of other hacks. I hope that by the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to make flowers last longer, whether mouthwash lives up to its reputation, and whether it outshines other tricks.

Along the way, I’ll also share why a good-quality bouquet matters just as much as the care tricks you use. For example, subscription services like BloomsyBox deliver premium-grade blooms right to your doorstep. These flowers often come fresh from farms and are full of life from the get-go, making them an amazing starting point if you want to maximize vase life.

Now, with all the cards on the table, it’s time to deep-dive into the details of my experiment and reveal everything I learned about keeping flowers looking their best for as long as possible.

The Science Behind Using Mouthwash for Flowers

At first, the idea of using mouthwash for flowers seemed strange to me. I mean, why would a product we use in oral care have anything to do with plants? However, once I read more about it, the connection made perfect sense.

Mouthwash contains active ingredients like ethanol and antibacterial compounds, which are formulated to kill germs in our mouths. Interestingly, these same properties can work wonders in your vase water. When we place flowers in water, they release natural sugars and minerals, which become food for bacteria. Over time, these microorganisms multiply, clogging up your flowers’ stems and limiting their ability to absorb water and nutrients.

By adding a small amount of mouthwash to the water, you can reduce bacteria growth. This keeps the water cleaner for longer, allowing your flowers to remain hydrated and fresh. When flowers can efficiently take in water, their petals remain firm, their color more vibrant, and their overall life span is extended.

During my experiment, I used a standard, alcohol-based mouthwash. I opted for a clear variety rather than dyed options to ensure no unnatural coloring affected the flowers. After mixing about a teaspoon into a liter of water, I set my bouquet up for observation. Would this simple tweak live up to the hype?

Learn more about my results and how mouthwash compared to other flower care hacks in the sections below.

Vibrant floral arrangement featuring pink flowers and green eucalyptus leaves, perfect for gifting.

How to Make Flowers Last Longer with Sugar and Soda

One of the classic flower care hacks involves adding sugar or soda to your vase water. This method has a clear-cut scientific basis, much like mouthwash. The idea is that sugar provides nutrients for cut flowers, mimicking what they would naturally receive while still on the plant.

For my comparison experiment, I prepared a vase with a teaspoon of granulated sugar dissolved in the water and another vase with a splash of soda. The soda used was a clear, non-colored type (like Sprite) to avoid any unnecessary stains or residue. I placed identical bouquets in each.

What I found fascinating was how quickly the soda seemed to perk up the flowers. Within a few hours, the petals seemed to open up more fully, almost as if receiving an extra boost of energy. On the other hand, the sugar water flowers didn’t show noticeable changes as quickly, though they held up well after a few days.

Despite the initial success of soda, its downside became evident over time. The vase water developed a sticky residue, which encouraged bacterial growth. That’s when the mouthwash came in as a top contender as it hadn’t shown these same drawbacks.

The Benefits of Clean Water and Regular Maintenance

When comparing mouthwash to other tips, sometimes the simplest flower care practices can be the most effective. Clean water and regular maintenance remain an unbeatable combination when it comes to keeping flowers alive.

Change your vase water daily or every two days if possible, giving the stems a fresh cut each time. This is important because bacteria tend to collect at the bottom of the stems, clogging them and slowing down their absorption of water. A quick snip at an angle can help prevent that.

Although mouthwash enhanced the cleanliness of the water, I noticed that a regular water change achieved similar results. However, mouthwash worked well as an aid between changes, especially when I wanted a little extra security against bacteria multiplying in between cuts.

How to Make Flowers Last Longer with Sugar and Soda

One of the classic flower care hacks involves adding sugar or soda to your vase water. This method has a clear-cut scientific basis, much like mouthwash. The idea is that sugar provides nutrients for cut flowers, mimicking what they would naturally receive while still on the plant.

For my comparison experiment, I prepared a vase with a teaspoon of granulated sugar dissolved in the water and another vase with a splash of soda. The soda used was a clear, non-colored type (like Sprite) to avoid any unnecessary stains or residue. I placed identical bouquets in each.

What I found fascinating was how quickly the soda seemed to perk up the flowers. Within a few hours, the petals seemed to open up more fully, almost as if receiving an extra boost of energy. On the other hand, the sugar water flowers didn’t show noticeable changes as quickly, though they held up well after a few days.

Despite the initial success of soda, its downside became evident over time. The vase water developed a sticky residue, which encouraged bacterial growth. That’s when the mouthwash came in as a top contender as it hadn’t shown these same drawbacks.

The Benefits of Clean Water and Regular Maintenance

When comparing mouthwash to other tips, sometimes the simplest flower care practices can be the most effective. Clean water and regular maintenance remain an unbeatable combination when it comes to keeping flowers alive.

Change your vase water daily or every two days if possible, giving the stems a fresh cut each time. This is important because bacteria tend to collect at the bottom of the stems, clogging them and slowing down their absorption of water. A quick snip at an angle can help prevent that.

Although mouthwash enhanced the cleanliness of the water, I noticed that a regular water change achieved similar results. However, mouthwash worked well as an aid between changes, especially when I wanted a little extra security against bacteria multiplying in between cuts.

Elegant miniature gardenia bonsai tree with white flowers and lush green leaves.

Using Vinegar in Flower Water: Does It Work?

When researching flower care hacks, I found vinegar was a common suggestion. Its appeal lies in its acidity, which is said to help regulate the vase's pH balance and slow bacterial growth. Curious about how vinegar would stack up against my mouthwash experiment, I decided it was worth a try.

I started with a fresh bouquet and prepared the solution by adding one teaspoon of white vinegar to a liter of water. The clear solution made the flowers look pristine in the vase, and I was eager to see how they would respond. Vinegar's acidity seems to act as a deterrent for bacteria growth, much like mouthwash. Both methods share the goal of limiting harmful microorganisms that clog flower stems.

At first, the flowers in the vinegar solution looked just as lively as those in the mouthwash mix. However, after about two days, I noticed a difference. The vinegar bouquet stayed crisp, and no foul odor emerged from the water, which was promising. Mouthwash, on the other hand, had an added freshness factor because of the scent it brought to the water.

The downside of vinegar? The flowers seemed to lack the same vibrant "pop" as those treated with mouthwash. While the vinegar did prevent wilting, the colors of the petals faded slightly faster. This might be due to vinegar’s simplicity as an antibacterial agent without any hydrating properties.

Despite this, there’s no denying vinegar did a great job at keeping bacteria at bay. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have mouthwash, vinegar could be a solid alternative. But between the two, I still felt the mouthwash gave my flowers a better balance of freshness and longevity.

Using Vinegar in Flower Water: Does It Work?

When researching flower care hacks, I found vinegar was a common suggestion. Its appeal lies in its acidity, which is said to help regulate the vase's pH balance and slow bacterial growth. Curious about how vinegar would stack up against my mouthwash experiment, I decided it was worth a try.

I started with a fresh bouquet and prepared the solution by adding one teaspoon of white vinegar to a liter of water. The clear solution made the flowers look pristine in the vase, and I was eager to see how they would respond. Vinegar's acidity seems to act as a deterrent for bacteria growth, much like mouthwash. Both methods share the goal of limiting harmful microorganisms that clog flower stems.

At first, the flowers in the vinegar solution looked just as lively as those in the mouthwash mix. However, after about two days, I noticed a difference. The vinegar bouquet stayed crisp, and no foul odor emerged from the water, which was promising. Mouthwash, on the other hand, had an added freshness factor because of the scent it brought to the water.

The downside of vinegar? The flowers seemed to lack the same vibrant "pop" as those treated with mouthwash. While the vinegar did prevent wilting, the colors of the petals faded slightly faster. This might be due to vinegar’s simplicity as an antibacterial agent without any hydrating properties.

Despite this, there’s no denying vinegar did a great job at keeping bacteria at bay. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have mouthwash, vinegar could be a solid alternative. But between the two, I still felt the mouthwash gave my flowers a better balance of freshness and longevity.

View all flowers

Do Pennies in the Vase Actually Help?

Another widely known flower care hack is dropping an old copper penny into your vase. The theory is that copper acts as a natural fungicide, preventing bacteria from spreading. Intrigued, I set out to test this old wives’ tale.

I grabbed a few copper pennies, gave them a quick rinse to remove any surface grime, and tossed one into the vase of a fresh bouquet. For comparison, I placed an identical set of flowers into a vase treated with mouthwash. Initially, there wasn’t a huge difference in appearance between the two. Both bouquets seemed happy, their stems soaking up the water.

But after about 48 hours, the differences became noticeable. The penny bouquet started smelling odd as bacteria seemed to build up in the water. The flowers in the mouthwash vase remained odor-free, their water staying noticeably cleaner. Clearly, while the idea of copper as a fungicide has some merit, in my experiment, it wasn’t effective enough to keep bacteria at bay over time.

Another issue? The penny’s effect seemed inconsistent. Some blooms remained perky while others began to droop. This might have been due to the amount of copper released being too minimal to make a substantial impact. The flowers in the mouthwash vase were overall more uniformly fresh and bright.

While the penny trick might be worth trying for its low cost and ease, I wouldn’t rely on it as the ultimate flower care solution. Mouthwash still proved to be the superior option when it came to preventing bacteria and prolonging the life of my bouquet.

Do Pennies in the Vase Actually Help?

Another widely known flower care hack is dropping an old copper penny into your vase. The theory is that copper acts as a natural fungicide, preventing bacteria from spreading. Intrigued, I set out to test this old wives’ tale.

I grabbed a few copper pennies, gave them a quick rinse to remove any surface grime, and tossed one into the vase of a fresh bouquet. For comparison, I placed an identical set of flowers into a vase treated with mouthwash. Initially, there wasn’t a huge difference in appearance between the two. Both bouquets seemed happy, their stems soaking up the water.

But after about 48 hours, the differences became noticeable. The penny bouquet started smelling odd as bacteria seemed to build up in the water. The flowers in the mouthwash vase remained odor-free, their water staying noticeably cleaner. Clearly, while the idea of copper as a fungicide has some merit, in my experiment, it wasn’t effective enough to keep bacteria at bay over time.

Another issue? The penny’s effect seemed inconsistent. Some blooms remained perky while others began to droop. This might have been due to the amount of copper released being too minimal to make a substantial impact. The flowers in the mouthwash vase were overall more uniformly fresh and bright.

While the penny trick might be worth trying for its low cost and ease, I wouldn’t rely on it as the ultimate flower care solution. Mouthwash still proved to be the superior option when it came to preventing bacteria and prolonging the life of my bouquet.

Vibrant bouquet featuring yellow gerberas, pink roses, and lush greenery in a chic vase.

Aspirin for Flowers: Surprisingly Popular

If you’ve heard of using aspirin to care for flowers, you’re not alone. It’s a commonly recommended trick that claims to extend a bouquet’s life. The logic is that aspirin reduces the pH level of the vase water, improving its ability to travel up the stems. Curious to see if that held up, I gave it a try.

I crushed one tablet of aspirin and dissolved it in a liter of water, placing a fresh bouquet into the vase. The flowers adjusted quickly, their petals unfurling beautifully. The theory about aspirin lowering the pH seemed to check out, as the flowers stayed hydrated and fresh for several days.

That said, the aspirin’s results were similar to those I observed with vinegar. While the flowers didn’t wilt as quickly as untreated ones, they didn’t quite match the vibrancy of those in the mouthwash water. Mouthwash added an element of bacterial control that aspirin lacked, giving it an edge.

One aspect where aspirin delivered was preventing cloudiness in the water. While mouthwash and vinegar tanks eventually developed a slight haze, the aspirin water stayed clear for almost a week. This added to its appeal as a quick, hassle-free trick.

All in all, I think aspirin is another decent option in flower care, especially if you have it readily available. However, if you have mouthwash on hand, it’s still my preferred method due to its ability to promote both vibrancy and freshness.

Aspirin for Flowers: Surprisingly Popular

If you’ve heard of using aspirin to care for flowers, you’re not alone. It’s a commonly recommended trick that claims to extend a bouquet’s life. The logic is that aspirin reduces the pH level of the vase water, improving its ability to travel up the stems. Curious to see if that held up, I gave it a try.

I crushed one tablet of aspirin and dissolved it in a liter of water, placing a fresh bouquet into the vase. The flowers adjusted quickly, their petals unfurling beautifully. The theory about aspirin lowering the pH seemed to check out, as the flowers stayed hydrated and fresh for several days.

That said, the aspirin’s results were similar to those I observed with vinegar. While the flowers didn’t wilt as quickly as untreated ones, they didn’t quite match the vibrancy of those in the mouthwash water. Mouthwash added an element of bacterial control that aspirin lacked, giving it an edge.

One aspect where aspirin delivered was preventing cloudiness in the water. While mouthwash and vinegar tanks eventually developed a slight haze, the aspirin water stayed clear for almost a week. This added to its appeal as a quick, hassle-free trick.

All in all, I think aspirin is another decent option in flower care, especially if you have it readily available. However, if you have mouthwash on hand, it’s still my preferred method due to its ability to promote both vibrancy and freshness.

Vibrant arrangement of orange gerbera daisies, roses, and pastel blooms showcasing beauty.

BloomsyBox Flowers vs. Grocery Store Bouquets

For my final test, I compared flowers from BloomsyBox with bouquets from a local grocery store. For consistency, I treated both with the mouthwash method to see if a higher-quality bouquet made a noticeable difference in longevity.

Straight out of the box, the BloomsyBox flowers were visibly superior. They were fresh-cut, vibrant, and carefully packaged with hydration packs keeping the stems lush and alive during transit. The grocery store bouquet looked decent, but the stems were thinner, and some petals were already slightly bruised.

Once placed in water, BloomsyBox flowers remained stunning well beyond the grocery store option. After a week, their petals still felt soft and fresh, while the store-bought ones began to droop and brown. Even with mouthwash helping extend their life, the lower-quality bouquet couldn’t compete with the premium ones.

What stood out to me most was how the BloomsyBox bouquet retained its scent. The blooms maintained their natural fragrance for nearly two weeks, an added bonus that enhanced the experience. BloomsyBox proved that starting with superior flowers truly sets the stage for the best results.

If you’re someone who loves fresh flowers and wants to ensure they look their best, BloomsyBox is a fantastic option. Their subscription service delivers high-quality bouquets straight from the farm, making it incredibly convenient for flower enthusiasts like me.

After conducting my flower care experiments, I can confidently say the mouthwash for flowers hack is not a myth. It does work, and it works well when used properly. It keeps water cleaner, reduces bacterial growth, and allows your bouquets to flourish longer. If you’re serious about how to make flowers last longer, it’s worth a try.

Among all the flower care hacks I tested, mouthwash stood out for its practicality and its ability to complement essential practices like changing water regularly. However, starting with a high-quality bouquet made all the difference. This is where services like BloomsyBox shine. Their fresh bouquet delivery ensures your flowers arrive in pristine condition, setting you up for success from the beginning.

Check out BloomsyBox.com for beautifully curated bouquets that are farm-fresh and designed to last. With options for all occasions, they are the ideal choice for flower lovers who want convenience and top-notch blooms.

Want to keep testing flower care hacks? Click here to explore a range of stunning flowers and see for yourself how long you can make them last with these tips!