Helpful Tips for Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide
Everyone knows that hydrogen peroxide disinfects cuts and scrapes. But did you know that its germ-killing formula also works to clean several household surfaces? Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant, cleaner, and deodorizer. It’s even great for removing stains from white carpet.
There are many ways to use peroxide around the house, but since it has bleaching properties, avoid using it on dark fabric or textiles. Read below for instructions on how to put this powerful product to work.
What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is water (H2O) with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2). It is a pale blue liquid and is often used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic.
When you hear the formula H2O2, you may think, “Hey, how is hydrogen peroxide different from water?” That is a good question.
Both water and hydrogen peroxide have hydrogen and oxygen in them, but peroxide is 40% denser. The biggest difference, though, is the chemical reaction.
According to the Fundamentals of Chemistry by Brady and Holum, “The single bond between the two oxygen atoms is weak so that H2O2 readily fragments into either H and HO2 or two OHs. Either way, the resulting species are free radicals, which means they are very reactive, and this makes H2O2 a very powerful oxidizing agent.”
Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
One of the main uses for hydrogen peroxide is to clean. It’s cheaper than standard cleaners and can be purchased in large bottles.
Hydrogen peroxide has many uses around the house. But before you try any of them, spot test to ensure it doesn’t lighten or damage the surface you need to clean.
Deodorize Fabric
Hydrogen peroxide can deodorize fabric. It’s useful for mildew smells and can even remove the scent of skunk. Just spray the fabric with peroxide before washing it. (Spot test first; peroxide can bleach some materials.)
Clean Tile With Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
You can deep clean most types of tile with peroxide. Mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a cup of baking soda to create a paste that you can scrub onto the tile. Make sure you get the grout too.
Then wait up to 15 minutes and scrub the area with a brush. Rinse with water to remove the paste. The grout lines should be brighter, and the tile should be free of grime.
Defog Mirrors
If your mirrors are blotchy or foggy, use peroxide to clean them.
Spray the mirrors and windows with half water and half peroxide, then wipe them with a lint-free cloth.
Medicate Your Plants
Hydrogen peroxide has a variety of uses for plants. It can treat root rot and kill bugs and fungus.
Here’s how to use it: Add a spoonful of peroxide per cup of water and spray it onto the plants before you water them.
Get Rid Of Toilet Bowl Germs
Peroxide can get rid of unwanted toilet bacteria.
To sanitize your toilet, just pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into it. Let it sit for half an hour before scrubbing it with a toilet bowl brush. Finish by flushing the toilet, and you’re done.
Bleach The Bathtub With Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
Hydrogen peroxide cleaner is a good alternative to bleach for cleaning a bathtub. Spray it on the tub, allow it to set for a few minutes, and rinse it off.
It can remove bacteria, whiten the bathtub, and get rid of grime.
Refresh Your Mattress
Since you can’t put a mattress in the washing machine, treating it with peroxide is a great way to remove stains.
Dab stains with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Follow up with a cloth dampened in water to remove the peroxide. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress and let it sit for a few minutes. Vacuum to remove the baking soda afterward.
Clean Your Dishwasher
Most dishwashers contain a lot of bacteria, which you can kill with peroxide. To do so, spray the inside of the dishwasher with peroxide and then run it with standard dishwasher detergent.
Remove Watermarks With Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
Do you have watermarks on furniture or countertops? Blot the stains with half peroxide and half water.
Cleanse Metals
Use baking soda and peroxide to clean metals. Create a paste and use it to scrub items like silverware and pots.
De-rust Tools
Spray tools with hydrogen peroxide to remove rust stains. After they dry, scrub them with steel wool to remove the excess rust.
Spruce Up Outdoor Furniture
Diluted hydrogen peroxide cleaner can be used on outdoor furniture. Just spray it on and wipe it off. Peroxide may be safer for use around pets than other chemical cleaners.
Sanitize Counters And Cutting Boards
You can sanitize your kitchen counters and cutting boards by using diluted peroxide.
Spray them with peroxide spray, rinse them, and let them dry. Do this once a week to keep your counters and cutting boards free from bacteria.
Clean Your Veggies With Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner
If you’re worried about chemical residue on your produce, use peroxide to clean them.
To help remove bacteria from vegetables, add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. If the veggies are root vegetables or thick-skinned, you may have to soak them for twenty minutes first.