Hydrogen peroxide – chemically represented as H2O2 – is one of the most common household disinfectants in the world. People typically use hydrogen peroxide for sanitizing small cuts and as a whitener for delicate items; however there is much more to this little brown bottle than most of us realize. Here are the top 20 reasons you need hydrogen peroxide in your homes:
- REFRESH REUSABLE BAGS
Spray hydrogen peroxide inside your re-useable cloth shopping bags to clean, disinfect, and remove food odours.
- CLEANSE DEHUMIDIFIERS
Add a pint of hydrogen peroxide to one gallon of water and run the solution through humidifiers to disinfect and remove any mould or mildew that may be growing inside.
- REMOVE ORGANIC STAINS
Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dish detergent and apply to organic stains (coffee, wine, blood, sweat, etc) to remove them. Do not use it on darker fabrics as it will bleach them!
- WHITEN LAUNDRY
Use about a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your wash water and soak fabrics for 15 – 30 minutes to revitalize dingy or yellowed whites.
- DISINFECT CUTTING BOARDS
Spray hydrogen peroxide on cutting boards to kill germs and bacteria from raw meat and other foods that may have soaked into the surface of the board.
- CLEAN GLASS SURFACES
Spray hydrogen peroxide on dirty mirrors and other glass surfaces to loosen dirt and grime. Wipe away with a clean, lint-free cloth.
- REMOVE TUB SCUM
Spray hydrogen peroxide on soap scum, dirt, and stains in the bathtub. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes then rinse to loosen grime and make cleaning easier.
- CONTROL MOLD AND MILDEW
Spray hydrogen peroxide on areas where mould and mildew are present to stop fungal growth and remove discoloration.
- CLEAN TOILET BOWLS
Pour about half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into toilet bowls and let it soak for at least 30 minutes to clean and remove stains.
- TREAT FOOT FUNGUS
Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a dark coloured spray bottle (light exposure weakens hydrogen peroxide) and apply to skin affected by foot fungus each night to stop fungal growth.
- KILL SUB DERMAL PARASITES
Apply hydrogen peroxide to skin affected with mites or other parasites to kill them naturally.
- REMOVE EAR WAX
Put a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide into ears, wait a minute or two, then follow-up with a couple of drops of olive oil. Wait another minute, then drain fluid from ears to remove ear wax.
- DISINFECT TOOTHBRUSHES
Soak toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide to kill staph bacteria and other germs common to the bathroom environment.
- DE-FUNK MUSTY FABRICS
Mix hydrogen peroxide with white vinegar and soak musty fabrics to remove unwanted odours.
- CLEAN RUGS AND CARPETS
Spray hydrogen peroxide onto light-coloured carpets and rugs to remove stains from mud, food, etc. Just remember that hydrogen peroxide will bleach some fabrics. You may want to test this technique in an inconspicuous area first.
- DISINFECT LUNCH BOXES
Spray hydrogen peroxide into lunchboxes, coolers, and cooler bags. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe away to clean and disinfect.
- IMPROVE SEED GERMINATION
Soak seeds in hydrogen peroxide to remove fungal spores and increase germination rate.
- CLEAN YOUR REFRIGERATOR
Spray hydrogen peroxide around the inside of your refrigerator and let is soak for a few minutes. Then wipe away with a clean cloth to remove food and disinfect.
- WASH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Spray fruits and veggies with hydrogen peroxide and let soak for a minute or two before rinsing in clean water to remove dirt, wax, and other contaminants.
- SOAK DISHRAGS AND SPONGES
Drop dirty rags and cleaning sponges into hydrogen peroxide and let them soak for 15 – 30 minutes to disinfect.
These are the top 20 ways you can use hydrogen peroxide. Is there any other way you use it?