You probably walk past them every single time you reach for the oregano or the cumin. They sit quietly in your spice rack, maybe tucked behind a jar of paprika you forgot you bought. Bay leaves have always been that ingredient you toss into a simmering pot of soup without giving much thought to what else they can do. But what if the most useful spot for them is not your kitchen at all – but your closet, your dresser drawers, and even your shoes?
The pantry staple you have been underestimating
Spring has a way of making us rethink the way our homes look, feel, and smell. As the weather shifts and we start rotating wardrobes, there is a small window where our stored winter clothes and linens are especially vulnerable – to musty odors, to stale air, and most importantly, to pests. Moths, silverfish, ants, roaches, and flies all love the dark, undisturbed corners of a closet or storage bin. And yet, most of us reach for chemical sprays or synthetic sachets without realizing there is a far simpler, completely natural solution already sitting in the pantry.
Instagram creator Jackie Milne recently shared a Reel that reframed the humble bay leaf – whether dried or fresh – as one of the most versatile household tools you are probably not using to its full potential. In the video, Milne demonstrates three distinct ways to put bay leaves to work beyond cooking: as a color preserver in the laundry when paired with baking soda, as a natural pest deterrent tucked into clothing and dry goods, and as a deodorizer for various spots around the home. Have you ever considered that the same leaf flavoring your stew could also be protecting your favorite cashmere sweater?
How bay leaves work as a natural pest barrier
Bay leaves carry a powerful, pungent scent that humans often find pleasant – herbal and light – but that many common household pests find deeply off-putting. That aroma is exactly what makes them effective at deterring grain weevils and other bugs when placed inside flour or rice containers. But the real game-changer is taking that same principle and applying it where pests can do the most damage: your closet and your clothing storage.
In her video, Milne tucks one bay leaf into each of her folded winter sweaters before stacking them in a storage container. Sweaters, especially bulkier knits, are famously loved by moths, and a single leaf nestled between the folds creates a scent barrier that discourages those insects from settling in. The same approach works beautifully for stacked linens and towels, or even layered between pants and shirts inside a dresser. If you have jackets hanging in your closet, slipping a bay leaf into each pocket serves a dual purpose: it keeps bugs at bay while leaving a subtle, fresh herbal scent for the next time you pull that jacket on.
Whether your home tends to attract moths, silverfish, or other unwelcome visitors like ants, roaches, or flies, positioning bay leaves in the areas where fabric and food are stored gives you a chemical-free line of defense that costs almost nothing.
Beyond the closet – other places to put them to work
Pest control may be the standout use, but it is far from the only reason to scatter bay leaves around your home. Milne also highlights their role as a natural deodorizer. Placing them in shoes helps neutralize lingering odors. Tucking one into the fridge absorbs stale smells. Even the bathroom benefits from the herbal, light fragrance bay leaves release over time. The result is a home that smells clean and natural without relying on synthetic air fresheners or plug-in diffusers.
Then there is the laundry trick. According to Milne, combining bay leaves with baking soda in the wash can help preserve the color of your clothes. It is a gentle, low-cost addition to your routine that works alongside your regular detergent rather than replacing it. For anyone who has watched a favorite top fade after a few cycles, this alone makes the hack worth trying.
If your spice rack is currently bay-leaf-free, picking some up is as easy as a quick trip to your local grocery store or market. You can also order them from Amazon and have them shipped directly to your door. Either way, you are looking at one of the most budget-friendly home hacks available – no specialty products required, no complicated steps to follow.
A small leaf with a surprisingly big impact
What makes this trick so appealing is its simplicity. You do not need a tutorial, a toolkit, or a subscription box. A single bay leaf, dried or fresh, placed in the right spot can protect your clothes from pests, keep your spaces smelling clean, and even help your laundry hold its color longer. It is the kind of low-effort, high-reward home hack that actually sticks because there is no reason not to do it. Next time you open the spice cabinet, grab a few extra leaves – your closet, your shoes, and your wallet will all be better for it.
