15 Everyday Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide You Didn't Know

Check out these Everyday Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide you didn’t know – from bathrooms to cleaning to even dental care. No. 2 is a big surprise.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclosure.

If you don’t already have hydrogen peroxide in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet, you’ll want to after reading this. Other than ACV (check out my favorite uses for apple cider vinegar), I find hydrogen peroxide to be one of the most versatile products in my home. I use it for kitchens, dental care, health and wellness and cleaning.

Is Hydrogen Peroxide the Same as Bleach?

Chlorine bleach is a chemical that most of us have in our homes. It’s very handy for multiple applications including cleaning and disinfecting; but may not be all that earth friendly. A good alternative to consider is hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide on the other hand, is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2) and breaks down into oxygen and water. It’s certainly kinder on the environment. H2O2 is produced by both animal and plant cells and is formed naturally in the environment by sunlight acting on water.

So, hydrogen peroxide can not only be a more earth friendly replacement for chlorine bleach, but has many more uses around your home!

Check out this list of Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide you didn’t know – no. 2 is one of the biggest surprises.

Health & Wellness

1. First Aid

Hydrogen peroxide gently sanitizes cuts and scrapes without harsh chemicals. It’s a natural antiseptic that helps to prevent infection. This solution should be used to help clean minor wounds but should not be used for long term treatment or to clean serious wounds.

Use a food-grade, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for minor cuts, scrapes and bug bites to disinfect.

2. Soften Corns & Calluses

Mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide in a large bowl. Soak feet to soften corns and calluses.

3. Sinus Infection Relief

Diluted hydrogen peroxide can be used as a nasal spray for those of you dealing with sinus congestion.

Dental Care

4. Mouthwash

A food-grade, 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide can be used as an effective and safe mouthwash. When used daily, it can even whiten your teeth and help with persistent canker sores. You only need about 1 tablespoon daily; just swish around the solution in your mouth for 1-2 minutes and then spit.

5. Sanitize Toothbrushes

Keep toothbrushes naturally clean with hydrogen peroxide. Just soak toothbrush heads with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and bacteria. Try this 1-2 times a week.

6. Whiten Teeth

Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda with 1 tsp of food-grade, 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Use this as a “toothpaste” to remove stains and help to whiten teeth. Use a few times a week as needed.

Natural Cleaning

7. All-Purpose Cleaner

I always turn to hydrogen peroxide in my home because it is an effective and safe cleaning product. It has strong disinfectant properties and so it can be used in the kitchen, bathroom and even on your children’s toys. It’s also great for cleaning mirrors and windows.

8. Laundry Stain Remover

Next time you have to tackle a laundry stain, try using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Gently dab the solution onto the stain and let sit for no longer than 3 minutes (hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabric if left on the stained surface too long), then thoroughly rinse the affected area.

9. Whiten Laundry

Give up bleach for good and opt for hydrogen peroxide to get clothes naturally white. Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide a load of laundry. Let soak for 20-30 minutes and wash as normal. Here’s a DIY natural bleach alternative you can try at home.

10. Mold and Mildew Cleaner

Don’t reach for bleach if you have a tough mold or mildew stain. Spray a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide on mold and mildew on grout, tiles, bath tubs, shower stalls and more. Let solution soak for at least 30 minutes and rinse.

11. Carpet Cleaner

Got a tough carpet stain? Spray a little hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let sit for no longer than 3 minutes (hydrogen peroxide can bleach carpet if left on the stained surface too long), then wash out well with a cloth. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Kitchen

12. Disinfect Kitchen Sponges and Sinks

Kitchen sponges and sinks can easily contain more germs than bathroom toilets. Yuck!

Keep those sponges and kitchen sinks clean with hydrogen peroxide. Clean out sink of any dishes or dirt. Plug the sink and fill with very warm water and add 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Add kitchen sponges and let sit in sink for about 20-30 minutes. This will help to sanitize both the sponges and the sink and naturally kill bacteria.

13. Natural Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

Hard to believe, but, yes, that produce you got from the store is covered in germs. Ew, right? Hydrogen peroxide can kill germs on your produce, as well as help neutralize potentially harmful chemicals.

Simply fill half of your sink with warm water and add 1⁄4 cup of food-grade, 3% hydrogen peroxide, then let your fruits and vegetables soak for 10-15 minutes. I would recommend using this method on fruits and vegetables with thicker skins such as cucumbers and potatoes.

14. Sanitize Cutting Boards

Keep your cutting boards clean with hydrogen peroxide. Just spray cutting board surfaces with hydrogen peroxide and let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse well with hot water, and then use dish soap to wash off food particles.

15. Disinfect Refrigerator

Got a funky smell in the fridge? First, empty out all the food and drinks. Then, spray hydrogen peroxide and let sit for a couple of minutes. It will help to sanitize and neutralize odors. Wipe down with a clean cloth and place food back inside.

Garden

16. Help your Plants Thrive

Gardeners know one of the best substances for their plants is hydrogen peroxide. The all-purpose liquid can help with pest control, prevent infection on damaged trees, kill foliage fungus and combat root rot, as well as improve plant growth. That extra oxygen causes the roots to absorb more nutrients. For pest control or growth, add one teaspoon to one cup of water in a spray bottle and mist the plant. To combat root rot or fungal infections, use one tablespoon per cup of water.

Top Tips for Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is corrosive to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes at high concentrations (>10%)
Store in a dark container, as hydrogen peroxide can decompose into water if it’s exposed to light
If possible, hydrogen peroxide should be stored in roofed, fireproof rooms where it can be kept cool and protected from direct sunlight
Don’t mix: hydrogen peroxide and vinegar – it can cause a chemical reaction that can be toxic
You need to replace hydrogen peroxide six months after opening it, but it will last for three years unopened. To test whether it is still effective, you can pour it in to the sink and see if it fizzes and bubbles. If it does, it’s still good

Want More DIY Recipes?

Check out my book Natural Beauty Made Simple. It comes with 45 homemade skincare recipes with a set of printable labels and gift tags. You can download it instantly to your phone, computer or e-reader, so it’s portable and can go with you anywhere!

With this book, you’ll learn how to:

Make your own organic beauty and skin care products for less than $25 a month!
Learn simple techniques to make your own skincare – without the fuss of complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients
Get tried-and-true recipes that work to nourish the skin and make it look more radiant than ever before
Create beautiful gifts for friends and family with the printable labels and gift tags I’ve included with this book

Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com / senteliaolga

16 Everyday Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide You Didn’t Know