Over the years, it’s been said that hydrogen peroxide can be used for curing ailments. Though, it should never be consumed, there are several other useful ways to use the product.
Hydrogen peroxide was discovered in the early 19th century. At first, it was used to bleach hats. More recently, it’s been used to kill off bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, and yeast.
There’s no denying that the world would be a different place without it. Therefore, let’s take a look at some of the amazing ways that hydrogen peroxide can be used.
Note: Despite its name “food grade” hydrogen peroxide is not safe to ingest! It it concentrated at 35% and contains a concentration of hydrogen peroxide that is roughly 10 times higher than the concentration sold to disinfect wounds.
If you use this at all, always dilute the peroxide before use.
Even swallowing household 3% hydrogen peroxide can lead to mild problems. Thus, heed caution and never ingest any hydrogen peroxide.
1. Clean tiles
Tiles are quite eye-catching so it’s best to keep them as clean as possible. Just mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to form a paste. Apply the paste to the tile and let it sit overnight. Finally, scrub and rinse the area.
2. Canker sores
If you have painful canker sores, try using hydrogen peroxide. Just swish a tablespoon in your mouth for about 10 minutes. That will help reduce inflammation and disinfect the area.
3. Clean cutting board
Germs love to live on your cutting board! It’s so easy for them to live in those little nooks and crannies. However, cleaning it is easy. After rinsing off the cutting board, wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide. Then wipe with a clean towel or sponge.
4. Ear wax
If you don’t like sticking a Q-tip in your ear, you’re not alone. Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to get rid of the wax in you ear. Simply, tilt your head and drop a few drops in and sit still for about 5 minutes. Once it starts to bubble and itch, use a towel to wipe it away.
5. Clean dishwasher
It’s imperative to keep your dishwasher clean. After all, it’s where dirty dishes go to come out clean themselves! Try mixing 2 cups of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and 10-20 drops of your preferred essential oil scent. Then form it into a ball and allow to harden.
Place 2 cups of white vinegar in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in the top rack. Place the ball on the bottom. Finally, run on a long, hot cycle.
6. Get rid of caked on food in pans
Baking is fun but cleaning up might not be! One of the most frustrating things about it is getting cake stuck in your pans because it’s difficult to get out. To do so, just use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a paste. Scrub it into the area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse with warm water.
7. Bath detox
There are several reasons to take a bath with hydrogen peroxide. You can try it once a month to detox or no more than twice a week until the condition you’re trying to resolve clears up.
Use extreme caution when bathing with 35% hydrogen peroxide. Use a small amount. Ideally, no more than 1/2 cup to start. You want to make sure that you aren’t having any reactions to the solution.
Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is a form of bleaching agent. Use extreme caution when using on your skin.
8. Washing fruits and vegetables
Washing your fruits and vegetables is very important! Thus, you want to make sure you do it properly. Just add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to a tub with cold water. To take things a step further, you can spray them with vinegar afterwards. Rinse and wipe clean!
9. Clean washing machine
Washing machines need cleaning too! To clean it, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the detergent compartment and run it on the hot cycle.
10. Clear up acne
If you have some acne you need to clear up, dab some hydrogen peroxide on the area. Don’t overdue it! You’ll end up killing the good bacteria. It only needs to be applied once.
11. Keep salads fresh
If the greens in your salad mix are starting to wilt, there’s still time to preserve them! Just spray 1/2 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide on the greens. Drain them, cover, and place them in the fridge.
12. Whitens teeth
Because it is a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can actually whiten your teeth! Just swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit. It only needs to be done once a week.
Do not swallow the peroxide!
13. Lighten hair
So you’re thinking of making a change? No problem. Just mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Then, use a comb to distribute it evenly. Then, let it dry. That’s it!
Keep in mind that this works gradually over time.
14. Disinfect countertops
If you need to clean your countertops, just mix hydrogen peroxide with water in a spray bottle. Then, spray and wipe clean. Make sure to spray on the area that you want to clean!
15. Clean mirrors
Instead of using the traditional cleaning method, try hydrogen peroxide. Simply spray it onto the mirror and wipe it clean with a towel.
16. Whiten whites in laundry
Nobody enjoys dingy whites. With hydrogen peroxide, your clothes will look as good as new. In fact, it can replace your bleach!
Simply add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washing drum before adding your laundry. It can also be placed in the bleach dispenser of your washing machine.
17. Clean litter box
You can eliminate odors and disinfect your cat’s litter box with the magic of hydrogen peroxide. Dump out the litter box and wash with hot, soapy water. Then spray liberally with hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, replace with clean litter.
18. Minor cuts
This is pretty well-known but it works. 3% hydrogen peroxide cleans minor cuts. However, it’s been stated that it can also slow the healing of wounds. Thus, it’s best to use it on tiny cuts.
19. Clean grout
Grout is pretty unsightly stuff. To spruce it up, make sure it’s dry and then pour hydrogen peroxide onto the area. Allow it to sit for a couple of hours before coming back and scrubbing with a brush and soapy water.
20. Disinfect sponges and dishrags
Your sponges and dishrags put in a lot of work for us. It’s only right that we help them along the way. Simply soak the used sponge or rags in hydrogen peroxide. You can also spray them instead when they’re in the sink or the tub. When they foam up, you’ll know it’s working!
21. Clean kids toys
It’s no secret — kids love to put things in their mouths, leaving a trail of drool behind them. Gross, we know but it’s life! To keep your kids safe, wipe down their toys with hydrogen peroxide every now and then. Allow them to air dry.
22. Clean fingernails
This is actually quite simple! Just mix 3-4 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a 1/2 cup of water. Then, soak your nails (get comfy!) for about 2 minutes. Next, grab a soft brush or cotton ball and scrub. Make sure to keep dipping the brush or cotton ball. Lastly, rinse!
23. Clean algae in aquarium
Our fish are our family so we always try and keep them safe from danger. Algae is one of the most common dangers to our pet fish. To clean the aquarium without harming the fish, add 3% hydrogen peroxide using a syringe or dropper directly onto the algae, if possible. Do this for 5 minutes. Use about 60 ml of hydrogen peroxide per 250 liters (66 gallons) of water.
The algae will dilute rapidly.
24. DIY Toothpaste
While baking soda is great for a toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide is as well! If you’re in a pinch, this combo will work wonders! Don’t forget to use water when doing so!
Do not swallow the peroxide!
25. Sprout seeds
To help sprout healthy seeds you can allow them to soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 20 minutes before planting them. This helps to soften their outer coating to begin the germination (growing) process.
You can also just spray with the hydrogen peroxide after it’s been planted when you moisten the soil. Use 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts water.
26. Clean makeup brushes
Bacteria loves to grow on those brushes! Soak the brushes in 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
27. Kill mold
If you have mold, make sure to have a humidifier and air conditioner in your home. Mold can cause health problems with those who have asthma and allergies. Just apply hydrogen peroxide to the area and wipe clean.
28. Clean reusable bags
It’s important to keep your bags clean in between trips to the grocery store. All you have to do is spray them with hydrogen peroxide in between uses. That’s it!
29. Hide roots
If you have bleached blonde hair you can hide your roots when they start to show. All you have to do is dab it on and let it sit for about half an hour and rinse out.
30. Clean the refrigerator
It doesn’t take long for the fridge to get a bit messy. Even when you can’t see them, germs are there. To keep them at bay, simply spray your fridge with hydrogen peroxide and wipe it down.
31. Yeast infections
This one has been debated for some time. Yes, it’s true that hydrogen peroxide can kill yeast. However, it might not work on every species of yeast.
Instead of douching with hydrogen peroxide (don’t do that!), add it to a bath. The water will help dilute the solution. Just don’t use it for an extended period of time.
32. Shine floors
To keep your floor shining just add 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon of hot water. Then, mop, or wipe, away!
33. Clean shower curtains
Shower curtains can get moldy and full of mildew and soap scum in between washes. To prevent this, toss your shower curtain in the washer and then add 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.
34. Combat toothache
Hydrogen peroxide can help that nagging toothache and even heal bleeding gums and reduce plaque. Simply mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Use it as a mouthwash and do not swallow it.
35. Disinfect toilet bowel brushes
Disinfecting your toilet brush is easy. Just make sure to purchase one that comes in its own (enclosed) holder. Just pour hydrogen peroxide in it and set your brush inside.
36. Disinfect lunch boxes
Lunch boxes go out with us everyday. Therefore, it’s going to pick up a thing or two. To keep them clean, just spray it down with hydrogen peroxide.
37. Bathroom spray
Whether you’re cleaning your mirrors, showers, or countertops, hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning your bathroom. Just spray down the bathroom and allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for several minutes. Then, wipe away!
38. Mouthwash
Did you know that hydrogen peroxide helps get rid of bad breath? It gets to the root of the problem by killing the bacteria that causes it. Just use the 3% hydrogen peroxide as a regular mouthwash.
39. Clean humidifiers and dehumidifiers
We literally breath in what the humidifier kicks out. But if it doesn’t dry in between uses, it can create mold. To prevent this, run a cycle with 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed in. Just use 1 pint for every gallon of water.
40. Foot fungus
If you’ve noticed fungus on your feet, try spraying 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water onto your feet at night. Then just let them dry. Or try soaking them in water and hydrogen peroxide instead.
41. Washing dishes
To give your dishes an extra boost while in the dishwasher, just add a couple of ounces of hydrogen peroxide to each load. You can even do this when washing the dishes by hand. Your dishes will be cleaner than ever before.
42. Plant doctor
Plants can grow fungus. To ward it off, use a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix 1 pint of water and 4 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray regularly on plants.
43. Sanitize toothbrushes
Every once in awhile it’s okay to use a bit of hydrogen peroxide onto your toothbrush. Just place the bristles in a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (enough to cover the bristles). Allow to sit for 5 minutes and then rinse well. Lastly, shake off any excess water.
44. Get rid of odors
If your towels, linens, and clothes are starting to smell, try using hydrogen peroxide. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Allow them to sit for about 15 minutes and then wash regularly.
Only make sure to do this with light colors!
45. De-skunk your pet
If your pet is sprayed by a skunk, hydrogen peroxide can help! Just mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dish detergent, and 2 quarts warm water. Work the mixture onto the fur.
Note: keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleaching agent. Do not let this sit on the fur for long. Also, it’s best to wear gloves when treating your pet with this solution.
46. Treat colds
While there really isn’t a cure for a cold, hydrogen peroxide can help alleviate symptoms. Try putting a couple of drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear.
Note: This doesn’t replace going to a doctor!
47. Calluses and corns
If you have hard calluses that are causing you pain, use hydrogen peroxide to soften them up. Just soak them in hydrogen peroxide and water.
48. Toilet bowl cleaner
To clean your toilet with hydrogen peroxide, just pour half a cup of it into the toilet bowl and wait for 20 minutes. Lastly, scrub clean.
49. Smelly and stained tupperware
This should come as no surprise. It seems like hydrogen peroxide can be used just about anywhere to clean and disinfect. Simply soak the tupperware in hydrogen peroxide and water for a day. Then, rinse when done. Scrub as needed.
50. Remove armpit stains
For this, make sure your shirt is machine washable. Then, mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 part baking soda, and 1 part water. Rub the solution into the stain and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to loosen any leftover residue. Finally, wash as usual.
Over the years, it’s been said that hydrogen peroxide can be used for curing ailments. Though, it should never be consumed, there are several other useful ways to use the product.
Hydrogen peroxide was discovered in the early 19th century. At first, it was used to bleach hats. More recently, it’s been used to kill off bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, and yeast.
There’s no denying that the world would be a different place without it. Therefore, let’s take a look at some of the amazing ways that hydrogen peroxide can be used.
Note: Despite its name “food grade” hydrogen peroxide is not safe to ingest! It it concentrated at 35% and contains a concentration of hydrogen peroxide that is roughly 10 times higher than the concentration sold to disinfect wounds.
If you use this at all, always dilute the peroxide before use.
Even swallowing household 3% hydrogen peroxide can lead to mild problems. Thus, heed caution and never ingest any hydrogen peroxide.