Posted Feb 16, 2015

9 Hydrogen Peroxide Uses You Probably Haven’t Thought of Yet

Some of the most common hydrogen peroxide uses are for health and beauty– the household chemical can disinfect wounds, serve as a hair bleach, and whiten nails. But the H202 compound is much more versatile than most people realize.

That’s good news since you probably have a bottle or five under your bathroom sink or in your medicine cabinet. Bust out one of those little brown bottles and discover some of the surprising uses for hydrogen peroxide.

Kitchen Cleaner

Throw a spray nozzle on a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and suddenly you’re holding one half of a potent kitchen cleaner– you’ll also need a spray bottle of vinegar. Spray a light mist of peroxide followed by a squirt of vinegar onto your countertops, fridge door, wall tiles, and other surfaces to remove bacteria and stains. It even kills salmonella and E. coli! The two chemicals work together to create a strong anti-oxidizing agent.

However, you shouldn’t mix them in the same bottle, as this will create an entirely different solution that does not clean as well. Use this same cleaning power in the bathroom, as hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used to remove mold and soap scum from bathtubs and shower curtains, among other not-so-pleasant bathroom muck.

Stain Remover

BBQ sauce, red wine, coffee, you name it. Peroxide may not work as quickly as bleach, but it is a safer alternative to harsh stain removers and is less likely to damage fabrics.

Make a solution of equal parts laundry detergent and hydrogen peroxide, then use a sponge to apply the mixture to the stain. Let it sit for one minute, then blot the stain to really work the solution into the fibers of the fabric. Afterward, wash the garment as you normally would.

Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

One of the lesser known hydrogen peroxide uses is as a cleaner for produce. Unless you’re buying organic, fruits and vegetables are soaked in pesticides, and peroxide works to safely and effectively remove these harmful chemicals.

Just fill your sink or a water basin with water, then add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Use the solution to clean all of your fruits and veggies at once, and be sure to rinse the produce with water afterward.

De-Mold Plants

When that fern in the corner of the living room starts to look a bit rough and smell musty, turn to the old brown bottle. It can remove mold from plants without harming the greenery.

Create a mixture containing 1 pint of water and 5 tablespoons of household peroxide. Then, put it in a spray bottle (not a clear one, as peroxide is very light-sensitive) and mist that fern once a day until the fungus fades away.

Septic Tank Cleaner

If you’re one of the special few renters with your own septic tank, you know that cleaning that sucker is extremely important.

You need to keep it well maintained and draining properly to avoid some truly devastating and disgusting mishaps. Flush one ounce hydrogen peroxide down the toilet every six months to clean out the system

Rinse Your Dirty Mouth

Mouthwash is one of those items that always slips your mind while you’re skimming the health and beauty aisle. Fortunately, when you run out, there’s a solution right in your bathroom cabinet.

You might not think it’s safe to put a chemical that doubles as a kitchen cleaner in your mouth, but hydrogen peroxide is safe to use as a mouthwash, killing germs that can lead to gingivitis and stank breath, as well as whitening teeth. Just fill up the cap with peroxide, rinse and spit.

Disinfect Your Toothbrush

Another way hydrogen peroxide can make your mouth happy is as a toothbrush cleaner. Soak toothbrushes in the chemical overnight to kill staphylococcus and other bacteria.

You can clean it this way after every use – just replace your toothbrush holder for a cup of peroxide (and be sure to refresh the chemical regularly).

Get Rid of Deodorant Stains

Anyone who’s run a marathon in the blurry heat of summer knows that deodorant is a gift from the gods. However, there’s one big downside: It can leave white stains on your clothing.

A neat trick for using hydrogen peroxide as a cleanser is to create a solution of dishwashing liquid and peroxide with a 1:2 ratio. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for an hour to activate the cleansing power, then rinse with cold water. Bam: No more stain.

Freshen a Sponge

Speaking of dishwashing, this household chemical can be used to clean the thing you use to clean your dishes: The sponge that transforms into a nasty breeding ground for bacteria.

To kill those unwanted microorganisms, steep your sponge in a cup of peroxide, and then rinse it thoroughly. It’s a quick and simple trick, but it makes all the difference knowing you’re not eating from a plate crawling with microscopic bacteria.

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Photo Credit: revjdevans, Roger H. Goun, Daniel James, paige_eliz, jojo 77, It’s Great To Be Home, John Loo, Smabs Sputzer, Artizone, darwin Bell