What is Hydrogen peroxide? Most of us have seen it around, perhaps in the homes of our parents or grandparents in a brown bottle. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the simplest peroxide. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent and antiseptic. It is one of the most common household disinfectants in the world. If you haven’t gotten to know this compound up close and personal, now may be the time for an introduction. It is a seriously underrated cleaning and disinfecting tool to have around the house. Here are a few of the ways in which you can use hydrogen peroxide.
Cleaning Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
Remove Stains – It is great for blood, sweat, wine, chocolate, and grass stains. Just pour directly onto the stain as soon as possible. Wait until it stops fizzing and then dab with a soft toothbrush or cloth until the stain lifts. Launder as usual.
Replace Your Bleach – Chlorine bleach is bad, bad, bad. Use Hydrogen peroxide to brighten and whiten your whites instead.
De-Stink Your Towels – Do your towels have a musty mildew smell? It is great at getting the smell out of towels.
Sponge Sanitizer – Drop your kitchen sponges in a bowl of water and hydrogen peroxide, a 50/50 ratio to clean them and kill bacteria.
Get Rid of Mold – If you have lingering mold somewhere in the house grab hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to treat it. Spray and leave for 30 minutes and then come back to clean it up. Use as needed.
Toilet Cleaner – Clean and sanitize your toilets by adding a 1/2 cup to the toilet bowl. After letting it sit for 30 minutes follow up with your toilet brush. No need for expensive toilet cleaners anymore!
Cutting Board Disinfection – Great for plastic or wood cutting boards to get rid of germs. Just remember to follow up with mineral oil on wooden cutting boards, to keep them from warping.
Veggie Wash – Fill a small bowl, or your sink with water and add a 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide to thoroughly clean your produce.
Oral Care – One of the most common uses is tooth brushing and mouthwash. It kills bacteria that causes bad breath and helps with inflamed or infected gums.
Clean Your Toothbrush – I am opposed to throwing out a good toothbrush because I have had it for a long time. Just sanitize it by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide.
Whiten Your Grout – If you have tile grout that is looking dingy use this bring it back to sparkly white. Making a paste with baking soda and scrubbing with a toothbrush works wonders.
Carpet and Rug Cleaner – Gopt stained carpet? Hydrogen peroxide can bleach out stains without degrading your carpet or breaking down the dyes in colored carpet. Add 2 ounces along with an ounce of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap to your carpet cleaning receptacle. Sprinkle stains with baking soda first and use a brush to scrub.
Ready to get started?
