If you’ve spent time researching ways to cut costs on cleaning products, you’ve probably come across hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Inexpensive, readily available, and with many uses beyond its primary function as a disinfectant, it’s no surprise that H2O2 is so frequently recommended for cost-conscious consumers.
While there are many applications for this chemical, ranging from home maintenance to industrial processes, there are some uses for hydrogen peroxide that most people are unaware of. Keep reading to discover nine surprising uses for hydrogen peroxide.
1. Clean stains and remove rust
Try hydrogen peroxide to get rid of stubborn stains on your clothes, like rust and coffee stains. Combine a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of tartar cream and baking soda to remove rust stains from clothing. Apply the resulting paste to the stain, wait for 30 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse and wash the clothes as usual.
You can also clean your silver and other metals with hydrogen peroxide. To do this, pour the solution into a bowl, add a few drops of dish soap, and then put your silver. Leave it for a few hours, then wash it with regular soap and water. If you don’t have any dish soap or hydrogen peroxide, you can try apple cider vinegar. The two work well together, removing some tough stains and leaving your silver and other metals looking good as new.
2. Get Rid Of laundry odors
Getting rid of odor in your cloth diapers isn’t easy, but hydrogen peroxide can help. Add enough water to completely cover the soiled diapers and mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into it. Leave it for about 15 minutes, then wash it as usual. The hydrogen peroxide will break down sweat and urine odors and get rid of the musty smell.
This trick will also work with towels and other laundry items. Similarly, it is an easy way to remove odors and stains caused by pet urine.
3. Clean Your Toilet
Hydrogen peroxide, according to the CDCTrusted Source, is effective at removing microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores, making it an excellent choice for cleaning your bathroom.
To kill germs and brighten the surface of your toilet, add 1/2 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to your bathroom bowl. For the full effect, leave it in the bowl for 20 minutes.
4. Deodorizer
Because hydrogen peroxide oxidizes (breaks down), it can aid in the faster breakdown of natural odors such as fish or rotten food. It works best when combined with baking soda and placed in areas where odors have accumulated, like refrigerators and dishwashing machines.
5. Dissolves Stuck Pipes
If you have a slow drain, try hydrogen peroxide instead of forcing it open. Pour 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for an hour. After that, pour several cups of hot water.
The high concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution will break down the gunk in the pipe and unclog the drain quickly. It is a good option when you don’t have access to a plumber or power tools.
6. Remove Inks and Markers Stains
Ink and pen stains can be difficult to remove, but hydrogen peroxide can help. Mix equal parts 20 per cent hydrogen peroxide and water. Pour several drops of the solution into a paper towel and blot the ink stain. Blotting the stain with paper towels removes it from your clothes and other surfaces.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to eliminate marker stains on your skin. Simply dab a bit of hydrogen peroxide onto a marker stain and then gently wipe it off with a paper towel.
7. Sanitize Your Toothbrush And Retainer
According to the American Dental Association, fecal coliform and other bacteria can be present on toothbrushes in the bathroom. Although small amounts of these bacteria are unlikely to cause health problems, soaking your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide is a good precaution.
8. Treat fungal Infections In Plants
If the vegetables in your garden have powdery mold or other fungal infections, you can spray them with a hydrogen peroxide solution to eliminate the fungus.
Mix four teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with a pint of water, and spray the plant with the solution. Avoid using it at full strength, as higher concentrations could burn delicate leaves.
9. Wash Fruits and Vegetables
Instead of spending money on pricey fruit and vegetable washes, try hydrogen peroxide! In a sink full of cold water, add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, then thoroughly rinse the produce. It will eliminate any bacteria and pesticides.
1. Clean stains and remove rust
Try hydrogen peroxide to get rid of stubborn stains on your clothes, like rust and coffee stains. Combine a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of tartar cream and baking soda to remove rust stains from clothing. Apply the resulting paste to the stain, wait for 30 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse and wash the clothes as usual.
You can also clean your silver and other metals with hydrogen peroxide. To do this, pour the solution into a bowl, add a few drops of dish soap, and then put your silver. Leave it for a few hours, then wash it with regular soap and water. If you don’t have any dish soap or hydrogen peroxide, you can try apple cider vinegar. The two work well together, removing some tough stains and leaving your silver and other metals looking good as new.
2. Get Rid Of laundry odors
Getting rid of odor in your cloth diapers isn’t easy, but hydrogen peroxide can help. Add enough water to completely cover the soiled diapers and mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into it. Leave it for about 15 minutes, then wash it as usual. The hydrogen peroxide will break down sweat and urine odors and get rid of the musty smell.
This trick will also work with towels and other laundry items. Similarly, it is an easy way to remove odors and stains caused by pet urine.
3. Clean Your Toilet
Hydrogen peroxide, according to the CDCTrusted Source, is effective at removing microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores, making it an excellent choice for cleaning your bathroom.
To kill germs and brighten the surface of your toilet, add 1/2 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to your bathroom bowl. For the full effect, leave it in the bowl for 20 minutes.
4. Deodorizer
Because hydrogen peroxide oxidizes (breaks down), it can aid in the faster breakdown of natural odors such as fish or rotten food. It works best when combined with baking soda and placed in areas where odors have accumulated, like refrigerators and dishwashing machines.
5. Dissolves Stuck Pipes
If you have a slow drain, try hydrogen peroxide instead of forcing it open. Pour 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for an hour. After that, pour several cups of hot water.
The high concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution will break down the gunk in the pipe and unclog the drain quickly. It is a good option when you don’t have access to a plumber or power tools.
6. Remove Inks and Markers Stains
Ink and pen stains can be difficult to remove, but hydrogen peroxide can help. Mix equal parts 20 per cent hydrogen peroxide and water. Pour several drops of the solution into a paper towel and blot the ink stain. Blotting the stain with paper towels removes it from your clothes and other surfaces.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to eliminate marker stains on your skin. Simply dab a bit of hydrogen peroxide onto a marker stain and then gently wipe it off with a paper towel.
7. Sanitize Your Toothbrush And Retainer
According to the American Dental Association, fecal coliform and other bacteria can be present on toothbrushes in the bathroom. Although small amounts of these bacteria are unlikely to cause health problems, soaking your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide is a good precaution.
8. Treat fungal Infections In Plants
If the vegetables in your garden have powdery mold or other fungal infections, you can spray them with a hydrogen peroxide solution to eliminate the fungus.
Mix four teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with a pint of water, and spray the plant with the solution. Avoid using it at full strength, as higher concentrations could burn delicate leaves.
9. Wash Fruits and Vegetables
Instead of spending money on pricey fruit and vegetable washes, try hydrogen peroxide! In a sink full of cold water, add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, then thoroughly rinse the produce. It will eliminate any bacteria and pesticides.