5 Household Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide

Written By Sierra Powell / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Do you need to swiftly properly clean or sanitize something at home? You most likely already have the solution but are unaware of it. If you're ever in a bind, that handy can of hydrogen peroxide that's undoubtedly lying under your bathroom cabinet may be all you need.

You are indeed acquainted with plenty of hydrogen peroxide applications, but others may astound you. Here are some popular household uses for hydrogen peroxide.

1. For Cleaning Laundry

Do your white linens and apparel appear a little dirty these days? Or do you have a less-than-pleasant odor? Hydrogen peroxide saves the day! Try adding 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to your washer before adding the garments or water.

In a pinch, hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful substitute for bleach; however, test the materials first and use it on whites since it will discolor dark fabrics. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendlier solution than bleach, which gives you peace of mind when using it.

However, it is crucial to remember that you do not need to use both bleach and hydrogen peroxide simultaneously. Your clothes will not be any cleaner. That's because the chlorine bleach's sodium hypochlorite will overwhelm the hydrogen peroxide, thereby converting it to water.

2. Cleaning Your Washer

Washing machines, particularly high-efficiency front-loading washers, can emit musty aromas. This is due to mildew and mold growth caused by excess fabric conditioner and detergent residue remaining in the machines. For the most part, we're all guilty of occasionally using an excessive amount of detergent.

Fill the empty washer drum with two cups of hydrogen peroxide. After that, start a hot water set. Do this at least once a month, more frequently if the weather conditions are humid. Utilizing hydrogen peroxide is also significantly less expensive than purchasing chemicals designed expressly to clean your washer.

3. Use it as a Disinfectant

Because peroxide is a disinfectant, be sure to spray the three percent solution on cutting boards, garbage cans, and other germs-infested surfaces.

Treat fungus, mold, and mildew in wet parts of your home - such as the garage, basement, windows, and bathrooms - with the same approach. Peroxide degrades into water and hydrogen, leaving nothing hazardous behind, whereas other cleaning agents containing bleach release toxic substances into the environment.

Use this compound to clean children's indoor and outdoor toys; make sure to rinse them afterward thoroughly.

4. Get Rid of Soap Scum!

Assume you know somebody who has gone weeks without cleansing their tub and shower area. There's probably a film of brown muck preventing everyone else who enters the restroom from taking bubble baths and long showers. Be a nice buddy and pass on these hints.

Use a quarter cup of soap and a third of a cup of baking soda. Combine all ingredients and store in a glass jar. After applying the paste with a wet sponge, spray the contaminated area liberally with hydrogen peroxide to boost the cleaning action.

Be sure to retain this light-sensitive chemical in its original dark bottle. Spray nozzles of any size will fit into the bottle. Use this mixture in sinks, baths, and showers. Allow the mixture to soak for about 30 minutes before rinsing.

5. Use it for Gardening

Misting garden and plant foliage with 3% or 35 food grade hydrogen peroxide (follow recommendations carefully) helps to keep them healthy.

In essence, H2O2 35 percent hydrogen peroxide functions as a natural water conditioner for plants, increasing nutrient absorption into the root system, promoting blooming and seedling growth, inhibiting fungal illness, and stimulating the plant's protective mechanism over viral diseases and pests.

So, purchasing it can serve all your gardening needs. Keep in mind that you will require significantly less of the 35 percent solution than you would of the three percent variety.

In treating plant fungus, always know the correct amounts of each and apply using a spray bottle. Be cautious when combining quantities and consult a local nursery owner, florist, or expert gardener for precise cuts.

In a Nutshell

Keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand for several uses such as those listed above. However, be sure to secure the cap and store it with other cleaning chemicals and medical supplies to prevent pets and kids from accessing it.

Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.  

Written By:

Sierra Powell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Writing. When she's not writing, she loves to cook, sew, and go hiking with her dogs.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Image Source Pexels