Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant and stain remover. It can be used to clean everything from your teeth to your floors.
Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound with the formula H2O2. It is a colorless liquid that has an odor similar to that of bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is used as an antiseptic, bleaching agent, and oxidizing agent, among other uses.
Hydrogen peroxide has been used for cleaning for as long as it has been around. It is a widely used product and can be found in many households in the form of hydrogen peroxide solutions and other products that contain it.
Cleaning With Hydrogen Peroxide
Here are some ways to use hydrogen peroxide around the house:
Get Rid of Mold
Mold is a common problem in households across America. It can grow on any surface and it’s hard to get rid of completely. Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to kill mold in your home without resorting to harsh chemicals or bleach. Here are some steps you can take:
Spray the mixture on the moldy area and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. Then scrub it away with an old toothbrush or sponge brush. The peroxide will kill the mold spores, which means they won’t grow back as easily.
Get Rid of Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are annoying little insects that appear seemingly out of nowhere when you least expect it! Luckily, hydrogen peroxide is great at getting rid of them because they cannot tolerate high levels of oxygen (which is what the peroxide produces).
Simply pour some 3% hydrogen peroxide near where you see the fruit flies congregating; within an hour or so they will be gone. If you want to keep them away longer than this method requires, simply repeat them every few days until there is no more fruit.
Clean Countertops, Tables, and Other Surfaces
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best ways to remove stains from countertops and tables. Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide will not only remove stains but also kill bacteria, making it an ideal choice for cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom.
Pour 4 ounces of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle along with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or dish detergent and water. Spray the mixture onto the surface that you want to clean, then wipe it down with paper towels or a sponge.
Clean Grout and Tile
Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water, then pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto the grout lines, let sit for 5 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush to remove stains. If you have hard water stains on your shower door or tile, scrubbing with hydrogen peroxide will help remove them as well.
Disinfecting Toothbrush
Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Hydrogen peroxide is a great disinfectant for toothbrushes.
You can soak your toothbrush in a cup of hydrogen peroxide for several hours or overnight if you prefer.
Just add 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water, and let it sit until the water turns clear again. Then rinse your toothbrush with warm water, and allow it to air dry before using it again.
Clean Upholstery
Hydrogen peroxide works as a stain remover on upholstery. Just spray it on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away.
This method works best on fresh stains from things like ketchup or grape juice; older stains may require more effort to remove completely.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables
A few drops of hydrogen peroxide will help remove dirt from fruits and vegetables without damaging their appearance or taste.
It’s also an effective way to remove pesticides and chemicals from produce before cooking or eating them.
Remove Armpit Stains
Armpit stains are one of the most difficult stains to get rid of. If you have problems with armpit stains on your clothes or shoes, try spraying some hydrogen peroxide on them before washing them with detergent and hot water.
The chances of getting rid of armpit stains will be higher if you soak them overnight before washing them with detergent and hot water. This method also works well on red wine stains because it breaks down the tannin found in red wines.
Clean Dishwasher
Add 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to your dishwasher’s rinse compartment along with your regular detergent and run an empty cycle with no dishes inside (this will activate the cleaning power).
The next time you run a full load of dishes through your dishwasher, there should be fewer spots on your dishes than before.
Disinfect Cutting Boards
Mix 4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water (not hot) to make a disinfectant solution that can be used to disinfect cutting boards or knives that need cleaning between uses (just make sure they aren’t made out of wood). Let them soak for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.
Cleaning Toilets
Pour two cups of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into your toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing it with a toilet brush. This will help disinfect the surface of your toilet bowl while removing stains caused by hard water buildup.
If you don’t have access to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 1 cup of warm water will work as well (but not as effectively).
Removing Stains from Clothing
Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry to help remove stains on white or light-colored clothing. The hydrogen peroxide will cause the stain to bubble up and disappear from the fabric when it hits the wash water.
For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat this process several times before the stain is completely gone. You can also add 1/4 cup of vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Clean Your Bathroom
Clean your bathroom sink drain or toilet bowl ring with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (1 part baking soda to 2 parts hydrogen peroxide). Let it sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing it off with a brush or cloth rag.
This method works great if you have hard water buildup on your fixtures! It also works well in combination with other cleaning products like vinegar or lemon juice (for glass shower doors) or Bor
Clean Your Oven
Use hydrogen peroxide as an alternative to commercial oven cleaners. Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of water, then add 1/2 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Use this mixture to scrub the inside of your oven and let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it down with a sponge or cloth.
Remove Baked on Grease
Baking soda is great for removing baked-on grease from pots and pans, but if you want something stronger, use hydrogen peroxide instead.
Simply pour 1/2 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into your pot or pan and let it sit overnight while covered with plastic wrap so no moisture gets in. After an hour or two, wash off the greasy residue with soap and hot water
Cleaning Your Mattress
Hydrogen peroxide is great for getting rid of odors in carpets, but what about mattresses? Many people find that their mattresses begin to smell after being used for a while.
If this happens to you, try spraying a mixture of one part water with two parts hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the mattress until dampened thoroughly.
Let it sit for about five minutes before drying off with a clean towel or air it out to dry.
Sanitize Sponges
Sponges are great for cleaning various surfaces around the home, from countertops and sinks to tables and floors, but they tend to harbor germs and bacteria over time which is why it’s important that you sanitize them regularly.
Soak dirty sponges in 3 parts water to 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes before rinsing them in warm water and letting them air dry on a clean surface like an old towel or rack.
Freshen Up Trash Cans
First, empty the trashcan. Then pour about 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the can and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. Next, scrub the inside of the can with a nylon brush or sponge, rinse thoroughly with water and dry well.
This will help eliminate odors from any food scraps or paper towel remnants that may have been left behind in your trashcan.
Sanitize Makeup Brushes
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your makeup brushes. Simply soak them for 15 minutes and then rinse well with water. This will kill any bacteria or germs that might be lurking in your brushes and keep them fresh between uses.
Clean Carpets
If you have carpeting, you know how quickly it can get dirty. The dirt that gets trapped in the fibers of your carpeting can be difficult to remove without professional help.
To clean your carpets with hydrogen peroxide, simply mix one part water with two parts hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and apply it to your carpeting with a sponge or rag.
Let the mixture sit for about five minutes before blotting or scrubbing it into the carpeting with a bristle brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. This process will remove most stains from your carpeting and may even deodorize it as well.
It’s A Wrap!
The uses of hydrogen peroxide are endless, and the best part is that it’s an inexpensive household cleaner. It’s easy to get, you don’t have to boil it, and it can do several tasks around your house to help clean up.
And the great thing is that it’s just as effective as even harsher chemicals like bleach.
If you’re the kind of person who loves to go all-natural when it comes to cleaning, then hydrogen peroxide is a must-have.
