Whether you’re someone who avoids chemicals or just keeps common household items on hand, hydrogen peroxide is something many of us have. It’s typically used for cleaning wounds, and you’ll even find it in homemade cleaning solutions. But did you know it has a lot more uses than that? Plus, there are different kinds of hydrogen peroxide!
In our home, we steer clear of harsh chemicals for cleaning, personal care, and even in the kitchen. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a simple compound that fits right in. At low concentrations (3-5%), it’s used as a bleaching agent and to help prevent infections in cuts. There are various grades and concentrations available, each suited for different purposes.
Before we explore its diverse uses, let’s go over the types of hydrogen peroxide you might come across:
The hydrogen peroxide available at grocery stores, often in a brown bottle, usually has a 3% concentration, which is pretty diluted. It consists of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water, making it safe for household tasks, though it can act as a bleach. Remember, it shouldn’t be consumed.
Food-grade hydrogen peroxide, which is stronger than the regular 3% type, isn’t typically found in drugstores. You’ll likely have to look online for it. While it can be ingested, we’ll get to that soon. You can also find food-grade versions at 3% concentrations.
More concentrated hydrogen peroxide should be handled with caution and never used without diluting. It should not contact skin directly and can be dangerous if spilled. I don’t usually use this type and wouldn’t do so without following safety guidelines and professional advice.
Other grades, like those used industrially, are not available to the general public. They may serve purposes like industrial bleaching or rocket fuel.
For most home uses, the 3% hydrogen peroxide you find at pharmacies or grocery stores works perfectly. Now that we’ve covered the types, let’s delve into some everyday uses for hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide has countless applications, but here are our favorites for this handy household item:
In the medicine cabinet, we use it in several ways:
Always check with your doctor first, but hydrogen peroxide can help with ear infections. Ear infections can arise when mucus gathers in the ear, allowing bacteria to grow. A few drops of diluted hydrogen peroxide can clear up an infection by getting through to the bacteria. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and dilute it further with water. Just place 6-8 drops in the ear, keep your head down on the opposite side for about five minutes, then let it drain out onto an old towel. You can repeat this a few times a day, but consult a doctor beforehand, especially with children, as it might be unsafe if there’s a perforated eardrum.
Hydrogen peroxide is a staple for cleaning everything from small cuts to post-surgery incisions. My grandma always used it when I scraped my knee as a kid. It works well for wound care because wounds need oxygen to heal and prevent infection. Many bacteria, including tetanus, don’t grow well in oxygen-rich environments, which is why hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizer, is effective against infections.
Adding a quick hydrogen peroxide rinse to your oral care routine can enhance oral health. The 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide is ideal since it’s already diluted and safe for the mouth, which tends to absorb substances easily. It’s even labeled as an oral rinse on some packaging.
I’ve also made an herbal mouthwash recipe. You can mix essential oils like cinnamon, peppermint, or clove into hydrogen peroxide for an effective oral rinse.
For an umbilical stump, I usually let it heal naturally with herbal baths to speed up the process. However, if you need to clean the area gently, just use a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean around the stump.
For swimmer’s ear prevention, I’ve used a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar after swimming to keep ear infections at bay. We do this after swimming in lakes or other non-saltwater places.
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t just for cleaning but is part of my skincare routine too! If you deal with acne, you’ve probably tried a bunch of products. I’ve shared before about the importance of gut health and nourishing your skin’s flora. For acne, dab a cotton ball in a little hydrogen peroxide and gently swipe it over clean skin. You can add essential oils like geranium or frankincense for extra benefits, then use a yogurt and honey mask to help bring back good bacteria.
That oral rinse with hydrogen peroxide also whitens teeth since it’s a gentle bleach. Try making a paste with activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide as a tooth polish to whiten up your smile.
Hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic natural cleaner, and here’s how we use it:
If you don’t like ammonia in regular glass cleaners, you’ll love hydrogen peroxide for streak-free windows and mirrors. Just put some in a spray bottle, and you’re good to go, even if the kids draw pictures with soap on the mirrors—it handles that too!
Disinfect your toothbrush by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide, especially after an illness.
For stains on clothes or light-colored carpets, hydrogen peroxide is your friend. Mix it with a bit of dish soap to tackle stains on white shirts, grass stains, mud, blood, and wine. Just test on a hidden area first, and avoid using it on dark fabrics.
Add hydrogen peroxide to your laundry to brighten whites and freshen towels; about a cup per load works great.
As a natural disinfectant for surfaces, keep a spray bottle in the kitchen for germs, especially after handling raw meat, or spray down cutting boards before washing.
For cleaning and brightening tile grout, spray it with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for an hour before wiping clean and mopping.
Hydrogen peroxide is also handy for gardening:
If you want to grow mushrooms, it can help prevent contamination—read more from MycoMasters for guidance.
To stop seeds from molding while germinating, soak them in a mix of a half tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per cup of water for a couple of minutes, rinse, then plant.
For stubborn weeds, spray them with a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
There are so many ways hydrogen peroxide can be useful, whether for cleaning, disinfecting, or health. Before using it for medical purposes, always seek advice from a healthcare professional. Have you tried any of these uses? What else would you include?
