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Have you ever walked through the grocery store’s cleaning aisle and noticed a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide tucked among the all-purpose cleaners?
You may have a bottle sitting in your medicine cabinet, only using it occasionally for minor cuts and scrapes.
You might be amazed by the various practical uses of this common household item!
In this article, we’ll explore 25 cool ways to use hydrogen peroxide that might surprise you.
So get ready to discover the endless possibilities of this humble yet powerful substance.
1. Floor Cleaner
Over time, floors can become dull and lose their shine from traffic, dirt, and grime.
To give them a good spring cleaning, mix equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide in a bucket and use it to clean your floors; this method is safe for most floor types and will leave them sparkling clean. But to be safe, try it out on a small area in a corner first.
2. Plant Care
Did you know that hydrogen peroxide can help keep your plants healthy?
Just mix a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with a cup of water and spray leaves to get rid of pests or soak the dirt to help get rid of root rot.
3. Grout Cleaner
If you have tiles in your home, you know how hard it is to keep those grout lines clean.
Use a paste made with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, then scrub it into the grout lines with a toothbrush, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse for a sparkling clean finish.
4. Rust Remover
If you have rust stains on your bathroom sink or bathtub, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar into a paste and apply it to the stain.
Rub the mixture in well, then let it sit for an hour before scrubbing away with a sponge or cloth.
5. Cleaning Toilet Bowl
If you don’t like using harsh chemicals, try this to clean your toilet bowl: Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing with a toilet bowl brush.
For those tougher stains, mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and let it sit in the bowl overnight before scrubbing.
6. Shine Mirrors and Windows
Whether doing spring cleaning or daily chores, mirrors and windows can be a pain to clean.
For a streak-free shine without the usual glass cleaners, give this a shot: mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle to clean your windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces.
7. Brighten Whites
Instead of using harsh bleach, try hydrogen peroxide to brighten your white clothes.
Add half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry along with your regular detergent.
8. Clean Dishwasher
Dishwashers make cleaning our dishes easy, but they also need to be cleaned sometimes.
To keep your dishwasher clean and fresh from any buildup or odors, pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle.
9. Aquarium Cleaner
Aquariums are beautiful additions to any home, but cleaning them is not fun.
However, you can add a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to your aquarium water, which will help break down organic matter, keeping your tank clean and safe for your fish.
10. Sanitize Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are a breeding ground for bacteria, especially when used to cut raw meat.
To sanitize your cutting board, spray or wipe it with undiluted hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. This will kill any lingering germs and leave your cutting board clean and safe to use again.
11. Remove Stains from Clothing
Stubborn stains on clothing can be challenging to remove, but hydrogen peroxide can make the task much easier.
Pour hydrogen peroxide onto tough stains like blood, wine, and grass and let it sit for a few minutes before washing as usual.
12. Clean Toys
Kids sometimes put toys into their mouths, so it’s important to clean them often, and you don’t want to use harsh chemicals on them.
Instead, mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, then spray the toys and let them sit for a few minutes before wiping them off with a damp cloth.
13. Remove Watermarks From Granite
If you have granite countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, you have probably noticed the watermarks that can be difficult to remove.
To remove these marks, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a paste that you apply to the watermarked areas and let it sit for about 30 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
14. Whiten Nails Naturally
If you paint your nails often, you may have noticed them becoming yellow over time.
To naturally whiten your nails, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a bowl. Soak your nails in the mixture for about 10 minutes, repeating once a week for best results.
15. Canker Sore Treatment
If you have had canker sores, you know how painful they can be, but you can use hydrogen peroxide as a natural remedy.
Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts, then swirl it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Don’t swallow the mixture because it is not safe to ingest large quantities of hydrogen peroxide.
16. Clean Toothbrushes
If you use your toothbrush every day, it can build up germs and bacteria, and who wants that on their teeth?
To clean your toothbrush, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl or cup and let your toothbrush soak in the mixture for about 10 minutes.
17. Skunk Scent Remover
Has your dog ever been sprayed by a skunk, and you could not find anything to eliminate the smell?
You can mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap and rub it onto your pet’s fur.
Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off with water for a fresh-smelling pup.
18. Litter Box Cleaner
Cleaning up your cat litter box is not fun, but it is at least easier with hydrogen peroxide.
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle and spray onto the litter box before wiping clean with a cloth.
19. Stop Algae Growing On Pools
Have you noticed algae growing in your pool, and you don’t like using expensive, harsh pool chemicals?
Hydrogen peroxide is a great natural solution for getting rid of it; pour about 1/2 cup into your pool for every 500 gallons of water and let it circulate for a few hours.
20. Clean Makeup Brushes
It’s important to clean your makeup brushes regularly to prevent the germs and bacteria they collect from getting on your skin.
Start by mixing equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl. Dip the brushes in the solution, let them soak for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse with water.
21. Mold And Mildew Remover
Are mold and mildew issues in your bathroom or basement, and do you want a natural way to get rid of them?
Mix hydrogen peroxide and water together, spray where the mold or mildew is a problem, and let it soak for a few minutes before wiping it away.
22. Detox Soak
Are you feeling stressed after work?
Want to unwind in a nice bath?
Have you ever thought about tossing in a cup of hydrogen peroxide to detox and feel refreshed?
23. Seed Starter
Want to kickstart your new garden but unsure about getting those seeds to start sprouting?
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water, soak your seeds for 24 hours, and plant them.
24. Foot Fungus Treatment
Are you struggling with foot fungus and don’t like using harsh chemicals on your skin?
Try soaking your feet in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water for 15-20 minutes daily until the fungus disappears.
25. Clean Fresh Produce
Whether you plant your own garden or buy produce from the store, there can be germs, bacteria, and pesticides on your produce.
To clean fresh produce, mix food-grade hydrogen peroxide with warm water, soak your fruits and vegetables for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
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I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
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