Hydrogen peroxide is an effective cleanser that can disinfect, remove odors, and whiten surfaces. This device is used to treat skin conditions, wounds, and infections in major medical centers worldwide. This liquid can also be used to clean water stains, and spots on clothing or lawns, and even in high-tech industries for various cleaning purposes.
The chemical compound is most often used diluted in water. The ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water varies depending on whether it is to be used for industrial or household purposes.
Different Types of Hydrogen Peroxide
There are many uses for hydrogen peroxide that you may not be aware of. Some of these use you may have heard of, but others may be new to you. Let’s identify the different types of laundry detergent so you’ll know which one to use.
Common 3% Household Hydrogen Peroxide
The hydrogen peroxide you can find at the grocery store typically has a concentration of 3%. The formula for hydrogen peroxide is 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water. This formula does not need to be any weaker, and it is safe for all kinds of home uses. However, it should be noted that it can still have bleaching properties. This low-grade H2O2 should not be taken internally.
35% Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
More potent hydrogen peroxide is not readily available in stores like standard hydrogen peroxide, so you may need to look for it online. The 3% concentration is much less diluted, and therefore more powerful. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide can be taken internally, but we’ll discuss that in a moment. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide can typically be found in concentrations of around 3%.
You should be very careful when handling concentrated hydrogen peroxide and never use it without diluting it. You should never come in contact with this substance directly, as it can be dangerous. If it spills, take care. I would never use this type of thing without proper safety precautions and the guidance of a trained professional.
Industrialized Hydrogen Peroxide
Other grades of hydrogen peroxide that are more concentrated are not available for the average person to purchase and are considered industrialized. They can be used as industrial bleaching agents, and even for rocket fuel.
The most common 3% hydrogen peroxide you can get is fine for most uses.
Now that you know the types of hydrogen peroxide, let’s get down to some uses.
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses
There are lots of different ways you can use hydrogen peroxide, but here are our favorite uses for this cheap household product.
Health and Natural Remedy Uses
We keep H2O2 in our medicine cabinet and use it as a remedy in several ways:
Solve Ear Infections Fast
I have used hydrogen peroxide myself to clear up ear infections, but you should always check with your doctor first.
Ear infections occur when there is an accumulation of mucus in the ear canal which provides an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria. A small amount of hydrogen peroxide diluted in water can be used to clean out an ear infection. The liquid will travel through the gunk and kill the infection. It is significant to use 3% hydrogen peroxide and dilute further with water.
Tilt your head to the side and place 6-8 drops in your ear. Then tilt the opposite side of your head down for 30 seconds to let the drops seep in After about five minutes, turn the head over and let the excess liquid run back out onto an old towel. This can be done a few times per day to help get rid of an infection. Ask a doctor before trying though, especially on children. Hydrogen peroxide shouldn’t be used if the child’s eardrum is perforated.
Wound Care
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to cleanse cuts and scrapes, as well as surgical incisions. I remember my grandmother always having a bottle of something to help with scrapes and bruises when I was a child. Why is it that people believe that using honey as a form of wound care is a great idea?
For wounds to heal properly, they need access to oxygen. This also helps to prevent infection. That’s a myth. You shouldn’t worry about tetanus only when your wound is bleeding. This is because tetanus bacteria cannot thrive in oxygen-rich environments. This explains why hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent, is effective against infection.
Oral Rinse
Hydrogen peroxide can kill germs quickly, so you can add it to your oral care routine to improve your oral health. This food-grade hydrogen peroxide, diluted to 3%, is a prudent choice for oral health because it is less likely to be absorbed into the highly porous tissues of the mouth. This product is often used as an oral rinse.
Umbilical Cord Stump Care
I think it’s good to let the umbilical stump fall off naturally, and I’ve found that an herbal bath after birth helps it fall off more quickly. However, a stinky stump can sometimes occur during the healing process, which you don’t want.
If you need to clean the area around the base of your stump, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and carefully wipe it around the base of the stump. This technique is easy to do and you can still enjoy the smell of a new baby without having a smelly belly.
Stop Swimmers Ear
Mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and using it after swimming helps to prevent swimmers’ ears. We do this to avoid swimmers’ ears when anyone swims in lake water or any other non-salt water.
Beauty Uses
I use peroxide regularly as part of my beauty routine – not just for bleaching hair or doing highlights, but for other purposes too. It’s a useful product to have around!
Face Wash
Acne is a common skin condition that can be difficult to treat. If you suffer from acne, you may have tried various methods to improve your skin’s appearance. I’m sure we’ve all had to deal with a pimple or two at some point, and it can be really frustrating.
To cleanse your skin with hydrogen peroxide, dampen a cotton ball with it and wipe it over your skin. Use essential oils like geranium or frankincense for extra acne-fighting power.
Finish your skincare routine with a yogurt and raw honey mask to replenish good bacteria and improve your skin’s microbiome.
Whiter Teeth
The oral rinse suggested above also helps to whiten teeth, as hydrogen peroxide is going to help with the bleaching process. A paste can be made with activated charcoal and 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide to be used as a tooth polish to whiten teeth.
Cleaning Uses
Here is the primary hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning…
Remove Stains From Clothing
We often get left with dirty-looking white towels because our detergents are not effective at making them look clean and new again. If your white towels look dull or don’t smell nice, you can rely on hydrogen peroxide to fix that.
Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide to your washing machine. You need to add 3% hydrogen peroxide to ensure that it will work. Add the clothes to the machine and then add water. This will ensure that your clothes come out clean and smell fresh.
To clean white clothes without bleach, use hydrogen peroxide instead. Be careful not to use it on dark-colored fabrics, as it can cause staining. This chemical compound is also more environmentally friendly than bleach.
Don’t use hydrogen peroxide and bleach together to clean your clothing as it won’t be effective and will turn the hydrogen peroxide into water.
Deep Clean Carpets and Upholstery
You can clean your house with hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant. This chemical compound is an excellent cleaner for your rags, scrubbers, sponges, and brushes, and it will also work effectively to clean your upholstery and carpets. In addition to being able to use hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, you can also use it to clean medical equipment such as bedpans and thermometers.
To clean the stove, spray the liquid on the stove, wait for it to bubble up, and repeat the process. If you need to clean something that is very dirty, you should soak it in hydrogen peroxide.
Disinfects Dishware and Countertops
If your dishes and kitchen countertops are extremely dirty, you can mix hydrogen peroxide in your dish detergent to boost your cleaning process. Hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing baked-on grime. Put the dishwashing liquid in the detergent compartment of your dishwasher and close it. Start your dishwasher as normal. The chemical will handle the rest.
To clean your countertops, you can use hydrogen peroxide that has not been diluted with water. Leave the item on the countertop for 10 minutes so the chemical can kill the germs and remove any stains. Then, wipe it off properly.
Use as Garbage Disposal Cleaner
After you’re done washing your garbage disposal using soap & water, take the container & spray it with a hydrogen peroxide solution and water in a ratio of 1:1. Then, let the container sun-dry for many hours. Hydrogen peroxide cleans the container by oxidizing contaminants on the surface.
Remove Stains From Walls and Floors
Watermarks are annoying because they can show up on walls, floors, and granite countertops. To remove these stains quickly, use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.
In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (3%). Mix them, and you’ll have a paste with you. Use this paste to clean water stains. Spread it on the stains and let it rest for 10 minutes. Once the clock hits the hour, take a damp cloth and wipe the paste off.
This should do the job. If you have tough stains, you can cover the paste with plastic and tape it. Wait overnight, and then wash it the following day. You can dry the surface by wiping it with a soft cloth.
Kill Mold and Mildew
Too much moisture in the air can lead to the growth of mildew and mold. You can kill mildew and mold without having to breathe in unpleasant bleach fumes. To remove mold & mildew, simply take 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray it on the affected area.
Let the chemical soak for a good 30 minutes, and then rinse it off. This will effectively kill mildew and mold. You may need to treat the stains that mold and mildew leave separately.
Clean the Showers, Tubs, and Toilet
If you want to keep your toilets, tubs, and showers clean, hydrogen peroxide is a good option. This excellent cleaner can also be used to clean your loofahs and toothbrushes.
In addition to that, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean makeup brushes and blenders, shaving brushes, and any other similar cleaning tools.
Clean Water Stains From the Sink
If you’re having trouble getting rid of water stains in your sink, try these tips. We have a tip to get rid of stains easily. First, wet the sink and then scrub it using baking soda. Use a sponge to scrub it. Take 3% hydrogen peroxide and pour it all over the surface. The chemical will clean the sink as you start rinsing it.
The cat pan and pet bedding should be cleaned out at least once a day to keep your pet healthy and comfortable. Clean out the cat pan and pet bedding at least once a day.
Is your cat’s pan stinky? Don’t you worry! Empty the litter box and wash it using soap. It’s important to use hot water when rinsing the soap off, and then follow up with a spray of hydrogen peroxide to make sure the area is disinfected. Let the chemical sit on the litter box for around 15 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Don’t forget to dry it properly, and you’re done! We are confident that hydrogen peroxide will remove that unpleasant smell.
Clean Your Refrigerator
Refrigerators are often home to bacteria and germs, much to people’s surprise. You should not clean your refrigerator with chemicals because you will end up eating the chemicals. Use non-toxic hydrogen peroxide to clean your refrigerator by putting it on a sponge or paper towel.
After that, clean the walls and shelves of the refrigerator using the same cleaner. If you do this, the bacteria will be killed and your food will be safe.
Clean Your Washing Machine
Pesky smells from high-efficiency washing machines are a common problem. The only way to get rid of mold and mildew smell is by adding 2 cups of our favorite cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, to the washing machine while it’s empty.
After you add the chemical, turn on the washing machine on the hot water cycle. This will ensure that your washing machine smells pleasant. You can avoid a bad-smelling washing machine by cleaning it once a month.
Removes Germs from Beauty and Manicure Tools
If you do your own nails at home, you should always have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect these tools to make sure they are clean before using them on your skin or nails. To disinfect your beauty tools, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
To clean these tools, pour some hydrogen peroxide on a clean washcloth, then wipe the tools with the cloth. Give extra care to wipe the tool’s cutting edges.
