10 Neat Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
by Athlyn Green on Apr 26, 2008 with 13 Comments
Hydrogen peroxide is a safe, versatile liquid and can be used for a multitude of tasks.
Hydrogen peroxide is water with an extra oxygen molecule. This versatile liquid is ecologically friendly and does an excellent job for a variety of tasks. Purchase it in a 3% solution and pour it into a spray bottle for easy use.
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses
- Remove spots from carpets. Spray the stained area, then rub and blot with a cloth.
- Clean bathroom and hand mirrors. Spray peroxide and wipe glass until clear. Peroxide removes build-up of surface contaminants such as smeared make-up, dust, and streaking.
- Use peroxide on mold. Spray on affected area and repeat as necessary until area whitens.
- Whiten teeth by brushing with peroxide or by adding it to toothpaste
- Sterilize cuts and wounds by applying peroxide. It will fizz and boil, which means it’s working.
- Remove blood from mattresses and clothing by spraying with hydrogen peroxide. If using on clothing, rinse to avoid bleaching of fabric.
- Sterilize and keep your vegetables fresher longer by adding a little 3% peroxide to water when soaking vegetables. Peroxide has an odd flavor so rinse food items before eating.
- Moisten a Q-tip with peroxide and use it to clean ears
- Lighten and reduce blackheads on skin by applying peroxide to a cloth and wiping over affected area
- Kill bacteria on cutting boards by wiping with a cloth that has been moistened with peroxide
As can be seen, there are many uses for hydrogen peroxide. It is a safe product when used in weaker solutions. It can be corrosive in higher concentrations so purchase 3% peroxide from your local pharmacy. Peroxide is inexpensive and handy to have on hand.
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Published in: Consumer Information
william rodriguez II | Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
Nice article.Thanks for the info,Athlyn.
Athlyn Green | Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
Thanks, William
Pete Macinta | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Great tips, I have been using H2O2 for my teeth. Also cleaning out my dog’s ears (with rag).
God bless,
Pete
Pete Macinta | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Whoops, just saw this …
“…pour it into a spray bottle for easy use.”
Yes, but the spray bottle should be opaque. H2O2 decomposes when exposed to sunlight.
Still good article.
God bless,
Pete
Athlyn Green | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Pete. You are correct about hydrogen peroxide and light. Thanks for the tip, which I’m sure readers will appreciate.
Brady Frost | Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
When I was in Junior High my younger brother thought it would be interesting to fill the squirt bottle I used to wet my hair with peroxide… My hair began to gradually lighten and it took a few days to finally figure out what that strange smell was each time I got ready in the morning.
I’ve never been a morning person, so perhaps I would have caught on sooner if I had been more awake.
Athlyn Green | Aug 30, 2008 | Reply
Hi Brady,
It sounds as though your brother is a tease. I’m glad that you didn’t spray it in your eye, thinking it was water.
Athlyn Green | Sep 3, 2008 | Reply
Hydrogen Peroxide can also be used to lighten hair. It’s far safer to use than dye and will lighten hair gradually. You simply place it in a dark spray bottle and spritz hair. See my article about same for additional information: http://www.beyondjane.com/Beauty/Hair/Lighten-Your-Hair-Using-Hydrogen-Peroxide.186137
Holly | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
silly that all over the internet people are telling you to soak your veggies in water and H202 or vinegar, when you really only need to soak them in the water. Limp vegetables are such because they lack the necessary water in their cells. Spraying them with water plumps them back up through osmosis. That’s why grocery stores do it.
Athlyn Green | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
I had a friend who lived in South America. They had to soak their vegetables in water and hydrogen peroxide for safety reasons, so that they were safe for consumption. This may be why this is recommended in some situations.
You are correct about water helping to restore vegetables to their former crispness.
Chris Stonecipher | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Athlyn,
Excellent uses for hydrogen peroxide. I did not know that it could be used for cleaning mirrors. Thanks for the tips.
Blessings,
Chris
Chris Stonecipher | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Athlyn,
I bookmarked this on Digg
athlyn green | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Hi Chris,
Hydrogen peroxide is fabulous for getting stains out of carpeting. I keep a spray bottle on hand and when I see a spot, treat it with peroxide. Thanks for sharing this article.