We all know what hydrogen peroxide is, as it is present in most homes. As an inorganic chemical, it is made up of 2 atoms each of hydrogen and oxygen. It is a very powerful oxidative agent which makes it such an effective disinfectant.
Its solution is a potent compound for destroying various kinds of germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It can be used for so many things in our homes.
Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide
Here are 24 incredible uses of Hydrogen Peroxide you may not know:
1. Curing Fungal Infections on Feet
Fungal infections usually occur in humid areas like the spaces between our feet and toes. This can cause skin peeling and give out a bad odor. Treat this condition by mixing hydrogen peroxide and water in a 50/50 ratio and submerging your feet in them before going to bed. Also, make sure to always keep the feet dry. Otherwise, the fungal infection can return.
2. Bath
You can also prepare a remarkable detox bath with hydrogen peroxide. It can be used for soaking your body and removing harmful toxins from the skin. add a liter of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your warm water bath and lie in it for 30 minutes.
3. Disinfecting Wound
hydrogen peroxide is also used in medicine for disinfecting open wounds on our skin, like lacerations and cuts before they are stitched and dressed. A 3 percent solution of the compound is used for the purpose.
The antiseptic can also form foam when it comes in contact with an enzyme known as catalase. This enzyme comes from damaged cells (mostly blood cells). If you find foam reappearing on the near-healed wounds when using hydrogen peroxide, it means that the wound has a bacterial infection.
4. Removing Ear Wax
Ear wax or cerumen can gradually build up in our external auditory canal. This could clot the sound passage to our tympanic membrane. Most of the time 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is all that is required for dissolving this clot. But sometimes a water jet propulsion system may be required for getting the clout out.
When you apply some drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear canal, it will give you a feeling of crackles. This happens because of the dissolving cerumen.
People have been using hydrogen peroxide for many other non-conventional purposes like:
- Enema;
- Teeth whitening;
- Cleansing contact lenses;
- Hair lightening.
Personal Care Applications
5. Toothpaste
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda you can prepare your toothpaste.
6. Toothbrush
Dip your toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide before brushing. If you soak the brush in the compound, it will remain germ-free.
7. Mouthwash
You may not know at all that hydrogen peroxide can also be used as an affordable and highly effective mouthwash. Put a capful of it in your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes daily before spitting it out. It will help you prevent canker sores and make your teeth whiter. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and mix a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavor.
8. Tooth Whitener
You can also use 3% hydrogen peroxide and have white teeth like me. There is no need to spend on professional teeth whitening.
9. For Yeast Infection
You can also use hydrogen peroxide for removing chronic yeast infections. Mix 2 cupfuls of the 3% compound in warm distilled water and use 1-2 times per week.
10. Tooth Ache
Hydrogen peroxide should not be taken as a pain killer. But it is quite strong in treating the pathogen behind the infection. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. When one of my teeth had inflammation, my dentist told me to get a root canal. She said the tooth would be dead. It was distressing for me but I still said that I would take my chances and give my teeth a chance to heal.
I started washing my teeth using hydrogen peroxide (several times per day) and coconut oil (once a day). Soon the discomfort was gone and there were no more problems with the tooth. If you are having a horrible toothache and the dentist is not reachable instantly, just put 1 capful of hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, hold it for a few minutes and spit. Repeat this a few times. You will find the pain reduced by a great amount.
11. Enema or Colonic
If you want to get a colonic, mix a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into five gallons of warm water. Mix 1 tbsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide in one quart of warm and distilled water for an enema.
12. Contact Lenses
The CIBA Vision’s Clear Care no rub is used for cleansing contact lenses, and hydrogen peroxide is the main compound in it. It works as a disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide can break down the proteins formed on the lens. These proteins are formed because of our eye’s immune response. This helps in increasing the comfort of our sensitive eyes.
13. Lightening Hair
Hydrogen peroxide works is a strong bleaching agent and are used for lightening hair. Dilute the 3% hydrogen peroxide in water in a 50:50 ratio and pray it on wet hair after taking a shower. Comb the hair and you will get natural highlights when you have dirty blonde or light brown hair. The change is not extreme but it will take place at a gradual pace.
Sanitation, Cleaning & Disinfecting
14. Household & Kitchen Surfaces
You can also use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the counters and table tops. It will kill the germs and emit a fresh smell. Simply put a small amount on the dishrag and wipe. You may also spray hydrogen peroxide on the counter.
Take a shower bottle and fill it with 50-50 mixtures of 3% hydrogen peroxide water and clean your bathroom without affecting the septic system. The commonly used disinfectants like bleach can destroy the system.
You could also spray or pour hydrogen peroxide on the wooden cutting board after rinsing them. You can also use vinegar afterward and kill various microbes including salmonella.
Maintain a spray bottle containing 3% hydrogen peroxide (straight) for cleaning the insides of the refrigerator. It can also be used for cleaning your child’s school lunch boxes.
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used for cleaning mirrors and glass without any smearing. Also use it for disinfecting the floors, toilets, and counters in the bathroom.
How to Use:
It is recommended to use 2 spray bottles rather than mixing the solutions. Add straight hydrogen peroxide in the first and straight vinegar in the second. Whenever you clean any surface, spray the first and then the second. When combined, they will form a highly effective sanitizer (but only for a short duration). Then you could rinse the surface. You can use this method for kitchen surfaces and food/vegetable decontamination.
15. Dishwasher
You can also disinfect the dishwasher by using a mixture of 2 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide and your standard washing formula.
16. Humidifier & Steamer
You can clear the air by using a mixture of a pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. add it to the humidifier/steamer.
17. Laundry & Stain Removal
You can remove stains from spills using 3% hydrogen peroxide. It has also been used for removing 2-day-old blood stains. When you pour a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide on a blood stain, it will cause bubbling up of the blood due to a reaction with enzyme catalase. Wipe out the additional liquid using a paper towel or fabric and the stain will be removed.
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide on the clothing before you use warm water to ‘set’ the blood stains. Then you can use cold water and a cleanser for removing the blood strains treated with hydrogen peroxide.
Note: – Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is capable of bleaching and discoloring different fabrics.
18. Laundry/Washing
You could whiten your white clothes by adding 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide in place of bleach. If the clothing has blood, pour the peroxide directly on the spot and leave it for 60 seconds before rubbing and washing with cold water. You should rehash it depending upon the need.
You will find hydrogen peroxide to be a highly beneficial solution for maintaining the whiteness of your clothes. When you chlorinate your clothes, they are going to wear out quickly. There’s no need to worry about it with hydrogen peroxide.
Preparing Food
19. Veggie Soak
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a vegetable soak/wash for killing microorganisms and neutralizing chemicals. mix a quarter containing 3% hydrogen peroxide in a sink filled with cold water.
- Thick-skinned veggies like cucumbers should be soaked for 30 minutes;
- Light-skinned veggies like light lettuce should be soaked for 20 minutes.
Dry the vegetables and then keep them in the fridge, this will help prolong their freshness.
You can also spray the veggies and fruits with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to save time. Leave them for 2 minutes before rinsing and drying.
20. Preparing Food & Decontamination
Mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to create your practical, cheap, and nontoxic disinfectant agent. It can be used for killing pathogens rather than using bleach. The mixture is nontoxic and can be used for cleansing the areas where you prepare and cook foods.
According to studies conducted at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, using a mist of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar has been found to kill all E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella microbes even on highly contaminated surfaces and food.
21. Marinade
Take the meat, poultry, or fish in a casserole and cover with a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts. Leave if covered in the refrigerator for half an hour, and then rinse before cooking.
22. Sanitize Meat
You can also use hydrogen peroxide for rinsing the meat before cooking it.
23. Leftover Tossed Salad
When you have leftover salads, you can spray them using a solution containing 1 tablespoon of 5% hydrogen peroxide and half a cup of water. Drain it, cover it and then keep it in the fridge.
24. Sprouting Seeds
Mix 1 oz 3% hydrogen peroxide with a pint of water. Douse seeds through the night and rinse using the same measure of hydrogen peroxide.