Clever Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

H2O2 or hydrogen peroxide is a combination of hydrogen and water.  Jacques Thenard a French chemist discovered hydrogen peroxide in 1818.  Upon realizing that hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria it was originally used to treat wounds.  That is why you usually find H2O2 in the first aid section of your store.  However, now doctors do not recommend cleaning wounds with hydrogen peroxide because it not only kills the bad bacteria it also kills the good bacteria that is trying to heal the wound.  When hydrogen peroxide foams you know it is working to kill bacteria.

Even though we no longer use hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds there are tons of clever uses for all natural H2O2.

Around the House:

Laundry:  Removes grass, blood, arm pit, and chocolate stains.  Mix 2 parts H2O2 to one part dish soap to create a spot remover.  Spot treat, let sit, flush with cold water and wash as usual.

1 cup of H2O2 added to whites in your washer brightens without using chlorine bleach.

Sanitize Cutting Boards:  Pour directly on cutting surfaces to clean then rinse with plain water.

Remove Marble Stains:  H2O2 can remove stains from marble.

Sanitize all germy surfaces like sinks, door knobs, light switches.  Spray or wipe full strength and allow to air dry.

Toys:  Spray or wipe full strength to sanitize toys.

Sponge Cleaner:  Soak sponges in 50% H2O2 and 50% water for 10 minutes then rinse.

H2O2 is safe around kids and anyone with breathing issues for it will not irritate your lungs.

In the Bathroom:

3% H2O2 added to a bath is good for your body and leaves your tub clean.

Mold & Mildew Cleaner:  Use in the shower and bath to kill mold and mildew.  It will disinfect and sanitize.  Spray full-strength H2O2 on mold let sit for 30 minutes, then wipe away.  If it starts to foam you know it’s working.

Glass Cleaner:  Spray undiluted H2O2 on mirrors and wipe.  Streak free.

Toilet Sanitizer: Pour ½ cup H2O2 in toilet let sit for 30 minutes then scrub with toilet brush if necessary.

Toothbrush: We should regularly sanitize our toothbrushes or replace, particularly if you have had a cold.  Soak your toothbrush in a glass of H2O2 then rinse.  Germ free.

Grout Cleaner:  Spray on full strength then scrub with a tooth brush.  If you need to whiten your grout you can make a paste of H2O2 with baking soda and scrub.

Hydrogen Peroxide is non-toxic so safe for areas around food.  You can even use it to wash vegetables and fruits.  It is also great for sanitizing your child’s lunch box.

Personal:

Whiten fingernails:  Is your polish staining your fingernails?  H2O2 to the rescue.  Apply a cotton ball soaked in H2O2 to your nails and let sit.  That should remove the stain.  If your stain is more stubborn you can combine hydrogen peroxide with baking soda (1 to 2 ratio) make into a paste and scrub your nails.

Lighten your Hair:  Hydrogen peroxide applied to your hair acts like bleach and will lighten your hair.  Combine equal parts water and H2O2 and spray on wet hair to add highlights.  I tried lemon juice as a teenager without much success, wish I had known about hydrogen peroxide.

Plants:

You can use hydrogen peroxide to help control pests, sprout seeds, kill fungus foliage and improve plant growth.

Use ½ cup H2O2 to one gallon of water in a spray bottle to combat plant fungus.

Using 32 to 1 ratio mix water with H2O2 and pour around the base of your plants to improve the root system.

H2O2 is all natural but it does lose its potency when exposed to air or sunlight.  That is why it comes in a brown bottle.  If your hydrogen peroxide is no longer bubbling it is most likely time to replace.

The must have all natural inexpensive cleaners to keep on hand are baking soda, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.