Need to clean or disinfect something at home quickly and effectively?
You probably have the solution on hand already but don’t even know it.
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O2).
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It’s a natural disinfectant that bubbles when it comes into contact with an enzyme called catalase.
Catalase is found in most cells, including blood cells and some bacteria.
Since catalase isnotfound on the surface of human skin, hydrogen peroxide only bubbles on broken skin.
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Those bubbles are a reaction that releases oxygen gas.
It’s also useful for cleaning items in sickrooms such as thermometers and bedpans.
Just remember,hydrogen peroxide can expire, so check your bottle before using.
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Here are the most common ways to use hydrogen peroxide around the home.
First of all, it doesn’t kill every kind of bacteria.
And secondly, it also kills fibroblasts, a tissue your body uses to heal itself.
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Plus, it disinfects facial cleansing devices and shaving brushes.
Add two ounces of hydrogen peroxide to your liquid dish detergent for an extra cleaning boost.
It can also remove baked-on grime and food stains from dishes.
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Just combine with baking soda and scrub everything right off.
Clean Your Refrigerator
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The inside of the fridge can harbor bacteria.
But using chemical cleaning products inside your refrigerator isn’t ideal either.
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Clean Your Shower
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Struggling with mold and mildew?
Hydrogen peroxide makes a great anti-fungal.
Just pour some into an empty spray bottle, spritz away, and wipe down.
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Replace the solution when the hydrogen peroxide no longer bubbles on contact with metal.
Whiten Grout
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Are your grout lines looking dingy?
Dip an old toothbrush into hydrogen peroxide and go to townthey will whiten right up!
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For Beauty Purposes
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Style and beauty influencerSharon Clearuses hydrogen peroxide regularly toclean her makeup brushes.
Then she air dries the brushes overnight.
No need for a fancy brush cleaner!
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In the Laundry
Are your white towels and clothing looking just a little bit dingy these days?
Or smelling less than pleasant?
Hydrogen peroxide to the rescue!
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Hydrogen peroxide makes a great substitute for bleach, especially in a pinch.
However, you don’t need to use both hydrogen peroxide and bleach at the same time.
The sodium hypochlorite in the chlorine bleach will overpower the hydrogen peroxide, essentially turning it into water.
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So your clothing won’t be any cleaner.
This comes from mildew and mold that grows from excess fabric softener and detergent residue.
We’re all guilty of using a little too much detergent sometimes.
Add two cups of hydrogen peroxide to the empty washing machine drum.
Then run a hot water cycle.
This should be done monthly, especially if the weather is humid.
Using hydrogen peroxide is also far less expensive than buying products specifically formulated toclean your washing machine.
Then gently scrub with a toothbrush and voila!
Combine one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with two teaspoons of baking soda to make a paste.
Scrub the pot, then wipe and rinse.
Expired hydrogen peroxide isn’t harmful, but it won’t necessarily be effective.
If it doesn’t, it’s time for a new bottle.
PubChem,Hydrogen Peroxide (Compound).
2022;47(8):1543-1549. doi:10.1111/ced.15235
