Many people look at hydrogen peroxide as an old-fashioned remedy. That’s understandable since the stuff has been around for the better part of the last century, and many still swear by it today. It comes highly regarded as an all-purpose wonder product used in the household and for various medical purposes, some of which may be dodgy.
What exactly is hydrogen peroxide?
Similar to water, it’s a liquid compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It looks like water and is just as transparent. People also call it by its chemical formula H2O2, and that’s where their similarities end. It carries an additional oxygen atom compared to water or H2O. That extra oxygen atom makes a big difference in turning hydrogen peroxide into a potent oxidizing agent.
How effective is Hydrogen Peroxide as a Disinfectant and Sanitizer?
Its medical value has to do with how it reacts to the enzyme catalase found in living tissue, blood, and bacteria cells. Once hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with those cells, the enzyme triggers oxidation that kills all of them. An oxygen atom gets released from each molecule as a byproduct, and the peroxide breaks down and turns into water.
That makes it a non-toxic germicide compared to bleach and chlorine. On the downside, it destroys the affected tissue and blood cells along with the bacteria. Nevertheless, there’s a host of other applications where hydrogen peroxide has found use as a household chemical.
In the kitchen
1. Dishwasher cleaner
In a research study of home dishwashers published in Medical Mycology, 62% tested positive for fungus, and 56% of those were black yeasts. Although hot water and detergents present an extreme environment for germs and fungi, they still manage to thrive. There’s moisture and also a constant supply of nutrients from dirty dishes. The rubber seal also acts as a playground for all sorts of nasty bacteria.
Add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide before running a new load. If you’re cleaning, spray all the damp and dirty areas, including the seals. Give it a few minutes to do its job, and then come back and wipe all the surfaces clean.
2. Disinfecting cutting boards and countertops
Use the 3% household-grade solution to disinfect cutting boards and your countertops by letting it soak for at least 10 minutes before wiping it clean.
However, H2O2 isn’t for regular cleaning of natural stone countertops like granite and marble. While it’s terrific for removing stains on those surfaces, the compound will erode the seal and eventually damage the material underneath.
3. Scrubbing your sink
First, douse your sink with water. Baking soda is abrasive, so use it to give all the surfaces a thorough scrubbing. After that, spray hydrogen peroxide all over your sink and let it sit for a while before you rinse it clean.
However, it isn’t advisable to do this regularly on stone sinks.
4. Scouring your cookware
Douse your pots and pans with water. Proceed to scour all surfaces with baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide to remove the dark layer of grime. Let the cookware soak on the solution for at least an hour before rinsing and wiping them dry.
5. Washing veggies and keeping them fresh
You can soak your veggies in the sink filled with water mixed with a cup of peroxide. Leave them there to soak for 15-20 minutes, or longer for tougher veggies. After that, drain the sink and rinse them thoroughly with cool water.
That should remove all of the bacteria as well as any chemicals and pesticides on them. It would help them stay fresh and crisp longer while stored in the fridge.
6. Getting rid of germs in your garbage can
First, wash the garbage bin thoroughly with water and soap, preferably using a scrubbing brush. Then spray the container inside and out with an equal parts solution of water and peroxide.
Leave it out to air-dry, and that should eliminate all the germs in your garbage can.
In the Bathroom
7. Eliminate mildew and mold
Unlike bleach and other commercial cleaners, peroxide doesn’t emit toxic fumes. Spraying and saturating 3% household-grade peroxide on mildew and mold will kill them.
8. Remove soap scum
Hydrogen peroxide will make short work on soap scum clinging to a shower glass enclosure or fiberglass tub. Create a foaming scrub solution by mixing a cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of white vinegar, and two tablespoons of peroxide. Wait for the mixture to stop bubbling and scrub all the soap scum away from the affected surfaces.
9. Toilet bowl cleaner
With H2O2, you can sanitize your toilet bowl and make it sparkle like new by removing unsightly streaks and stains.
Pour about 1/2 cup into your toilet bowl and scrub thoroughly using a toilet brush. Wait and let it sit for about half an hour to eradicate all the microorganisms before flushing.
10. Whiten yellowed porcelain
With hydrogen peroxide’s bleaching properties, you can give a yellowed porcelain sink a makeover. Mix it with some baking soda and scrub all over the old sink until it’s white as new.
11. Glass cleaner
You can use equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water as a glass cleaner and sanitizer.
Spray it on your mirrors and shower glass enclosure and wait for a while. Then use a paper towel to wipe it clean.
Your Laundry Room
12. Restore your whites
Pour about a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the drum before starting the cycle to fill it with water. Or you can pour it in the automatic bleach dispenser if your machine has one. Add your whites but stop the washer mid-cycle. Let them soak for two hours before letting it continue to finish the job. To remove yellow underarm stains, add 1/2 cup of baking soda or preferably washing soda.
13. Deodorize your clothes
Soaking your clothes in hydrogen peroxide mixed with white vinegar will remove any funny odor. However, don’t do it on colorful clothes because they will fade.
14. Stain remover
While it’s excellent for removing stains on bright fabrics, it also acts as a bleaching compound. Using it as a stain remover on dark-colored fabrics would result in uneven splotches.
In your Garden
15. Eliminate plant fungi
To rid your plants of any fungus, use a spray bottle containing a cup of water mixed with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. You can also use it as a preventive measure by spraying around the plant’s lower part and roots but avoid its leaves.
16. Promotes plant growth
Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring substance during rain. It helps soften seed coats and promote quick germination resulting in better yields. You can simulate that phenomenon by soaking your seeds at least 20 minutes in a 1-3% solution before planting them.
17. Rid your pond of algae
A surefire way to clear any fish pond or water feature of algae is adding half a cup of household-grade hydrogen peroxide for every 90 gallons of pond water.
Your Pets
Treating your pet’s open wounds with hydrogen peroxide, even minor ones, is no longer recommended by most veterinarians. Still, the compound has some uses in pet care.
18. Remove aquarium algae
The dosages of hydrogen peroxide depend highly on the type of algae infesting your aquarium. You’ll need 8-15ml of the 3% household peroxide for every 50 liters of water to kill blue-green algae. To kill the tougher green variety, add 25-35ml for every 50 liters. However, it’s crucial to know beforehand if the plants and type of fishes or other marine animals you have can tolerate the chemical.
19. Clean out and disinfect a litter box
First, wash your cat’s filthy litter box thoroughly with soap and some hot water. Then spray it generously with undiluted household-grade peroxide. Allow it to bubble for 20 minutes or so before rinsing the container. Allow it to dry completely before replacing it with a new litter. That should eliminate any trace of the foul and pungent odor.
20. Induce vomiting in poisoned dogs
Although not considered safe, it’s still the best method to make a dog vomit out ingested toxins. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and it’s the only thing you can do in such an emergency if racing to the vet isn’t an option. Take great care not to overdo spraying peroxide at the back of your pet’s mouth. I strongly advise that you immediately get in contact with your vet by phone to receive real-time instructions.