Author: Maria Alfano
I am always looking for ways to save money and help the environment and these 19 amazing hydrogen peroxide cleaning uses do just that. Why go for expensive chemical solutions when you can use hydrogen peroxide?
Save the environment and provide your family with a chemical-free home. Hydrogen peroxide is the surprise hero that will replace many poisonous cleaning agents you use today. It is safe for anyone to use.
19 Amazing Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Uses That Will Make Your Head Spin
Let’s face it, when we were younger we wanted the fastest and the best of everything including household cleaners. If my mother would have told me about hydrogen peroxide then I probably would have ignored her. I didn’t want to so spend time cleaning, I was more interested in going out and having fun.
Today, I like to think I have a little more sense than I did in my 20s and 30s. I care about the environment and my bank account as I am sure many of you out there do too. These 19 amazing hydrogen peroxide cleaning uses really will make your head spin. And then, you will wonder why you spent so much money on the name-brand cleaners.
This post is all about what is hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide cleaning uses, and other household uses for peroxide. The best part is hydrogen peroxide can be found very inexpensively at your local drug store, Walmart, Target, or on Amazon for pennies per use compared to the commercial brands.
What is hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring compound made up of 2 parts of hydrogen and 2 parts oxygen – H2O2 (yikes chemistry was not my thing in high school or beyond). It is commonly found diluted to 3% or 6%. It is a powerful disinfectant, a bacteria killer, and can be used as a bleaching agent.
The fact that hydrogen peroxide is so inexpensive and works so well, it’s really surprising that more people don’t use it for their daily cleaning needs! I get my secret stash of 3% peroxide from Dollar Tree for yup you guessed it $1.00 per bottle and when they are out of stock Amazon is a great place to get it.
Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Uses
Kitchen Appliances
DISHWASHER – spray hydrogen peroxide around the rubber seals, any drainage parts, racks, and doors to remove mold and mildew. Watch how this cleaner dishwasher will give you cleaner dishes. With no grime in the machine, there is none to be left behind on the cutlery, pots, pans, dishware, and glasses.
REFRIGERATOR – soak a sponge with 50/50 water and peroxide to wipe down shelves, doors, rubber rings, and drawers. Removes and dried on foods and stains as well as any bacteria from food. Keep your fridge and the food inside smelling and tasting fresh for a lot longer when you eliminate the odor-causing bacteria.
Food Prep
CLEAN sponges – kitchen and bathroom sponges are a hotbed for all kinds of bacteria and germs (eewww). Soak them in hydrogen peroxide and remove these pesky unwanted enemies for about 5 minutes. Then, rinse really well with plain water and they will be good as new. Contrary to popular belief putting your dirty sponges in the microwave and nuking them only bakes in the dirt and grime. It doesn’t kill anything. Hydrogen peroxide is the way to destroy those germs.
POTS & pans – I will be willing to bet you have a pot or pan hiding in the back of the kitchen cabinet because it is so grungy you are embarrassed and afraid to cook with it. Fear no more! Simply sprinkle baking soda on or in the crusty pan. Spray it with full strength 3% or 6% peroxide and let it soak for a few hours. You can then just wipe it clean. Wash it well before using.
FRUITS & veggies – buying organic can be expensive if you’re on a tight budget. Midlife and retirement income is not exactly what it used to be when you were working so every penny counts. To remove the pesticides and micro insects that could be living on your fruits and vegetables soak them in your kitchen sink filled with water and hydrogen peroxide for 5-10 minutes. Rinse really well with cold water and enjoy almost organic produce.
COUNTERTOPS – your countertops tend to breed all kinds of bacteria like e.coli if not properly cleaned. This hydrogen peroxide cleaning use will help you sanitize your countertops. Spray with a 50/50 mix of H2O2 and water and wipe clean.
CUTTING boards – you use your cutting boards for all kinds of raw and cooked foods and while you wash them in between uses, you aren’t really giving them a deep clean. Soak them in water and peroxide for 10-15 mins then rinse really well with cold water. Voila! good as new.
Laundry
STAIN remover – the bubbling action in hydrogen peroxide works to lift stains from clothes, rugs, and marble countertops. It does a great job of getting rid of coffee wine, chocolate, grass, and blood stains with little effort. Add it straight from the bottle to the s stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing or wiping clean.
BRIGHTEN wash – use hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to brighten all your clothing. It will not damage colored clothes as bleach does and the whites come out brighter than they do when using bleach. It can help remove the yellowing color from underarm stains too. Simply pour it into your bleach dispenser in your washing machine or use it with water to pre-soak ground in stains.
Bathroom
TOILET cleaner – pour 1/2 cup of peroxide right into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and clean as you normally would with your favorite toilet brush. Peroxide eats away at the scum in the bowl and leaves it shiny and new.
SOAP scum – mix a 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to form a paste-like substance. Use this to scrub your tubs, shower, and sinks. Apply the paste to the tub surround, the grout lines, and the tiles. Give it time to do its magic (10-15 minutes). Rinse clean with cold water.
MIRRORS & windows – why use harsh window and glass cleaners when all you need is a spray bottle with 50/50 water and peroxide. Spray onto your mirrors and windows and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth or brand new coffee filter, then sit back and watch them gleam!
Toothbrushes & dentures – the bubbling action of hydrogen peroxide will help lift any germs from your toothbrush or dentures. Simply soak them in a glass of H2O2 for 5-10 minutes and rinse really well. While peroxide is really safe to use, it is definitely not a good idea to ingest it.
MAKEUP brushes – your makeup brushes need a good cleaning. I know when I was younger I used to throw them out and buy new ones. This isn’t always in the budget now. So, I learned to clean them using the same 50/50 mixture I use to clean my toothbrush.
OTHER Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Uses
GROUT – if you have ceramic tiles you know how hard it can be to keep the grout clean. Not anymore 😉. Use a simple mixture of 65/35 baking soda and hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of dish soap well mixed in a bottle. Spray it onto the grout lines. Let it sit for 3-5 mins and wipe clean with cold water.
MATTRESS disinfectant – each time you change the sheets spray your mattress with hydrogen peroxide to kill any dust mites. Allow it to dry thoroughly and vacuum before putting on fresh clean sheets. Breathe better and sleep better with one easy-to-do task. Prolong the life of your mattress by killing those mites before they take over your bed.
WASTE bins – how often do you actually take the time to clean your waste bins? Once a week, once a month, never? Now you can clean them easily by spraying the inside and outside of the bin with the 50/50 solution you use on your countertops. Allow the bins to dry naturally to eliminate germs and bacteria.
RUST – get rid of rust on your hand tools, buckets, rods, etc. with this little concoction of 50/50 cream of tartar and baking soda with a few drops (1/4 tsp) of peroxide. Mix them together into a paste. Apply on the rust spots. Wait an hour and wash off with cold water to see them shine again.
GARDEN
PLANT booster – this is my absolute favorite use of hydrogen peroxide. Plant soil can sometimes be lacking the nutrients your plants need to grow. Or, your plants can be hit with root rot or have a small bug infestation. No matter which of these you are experiencing, spraying the soil with a mixture of 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of peroxide enriches the soil, helps reverse root rot, and will scare away any unwanted pests. Repeat this exercise every two or three days to support your plant health and have a rich bountiful harvest in the end.