hydrogen peroxide uses

28 Remarkable Hydrogen Peroxide Uses for Cleaning Every Corner of Your Home

/Updated /54 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

Did you know that a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your cupboard holds the secret to a cleaner, healthier home? This non-toxic, budget-friendly miracle worker can sanitize, whiten, and disinfect, making it a must-have for any DIY cleaning enthusiast. In this guide, discover 28 ingenious ways to harness the cleaning power of hydrogen peroxide, from your kitchen to your laundry room.

hydrogen peroxide uses

Hydrogen peroxide—it’s inexpensive, readily available, and a true powerhouse when it comes to household cleaning. This non-toxic, odorless product is a must-have for any home, thanks to its myriad uses. But what makes it so effective?

What Makes Hydrogen Peroxide a Powerful Cleaner?

 

Product Image - Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP, 32 Fl Oz

Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP, 32 Fl Oz

Hydrogen peroxide is as harmless as it is powerful. It’s not just a household cleaner; it’s an all-around remedy that’s both safe and incredibly cheap. You can find it in any grocery or drug store, typically in a 3% dilution, making it safe for use even in septic systems.

What sets hydrogen peroxide apart is its ability to act as a potent oxidizer. This means it’s excellent for cleaning, sanitizing, whitening, and bleaching. Whether you’re disinfecting surfaces, brightening laundry, or treating minor cuts, hydrogen peroxide’s versatility is unmatched.

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Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP, 32 Fl Oz
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    How to Keep Hydrogen Peroxide Fresh and Effective

    To get the most out of hydrogen peroxide, freshness is key. This powerful cleaner has a limited shelf life—about one year when unopened and only six months once opened, as long as you store it properly.

    Hydrogen peroxide is sensitive to heat, light, and air, which can quickly cause it to break down into plain water and oxygen. When it loses its “fizz,” it also loses its cleaning power. If your bottle of hydrogen peroxide is older than six months after being opened, it’s time to toss it out. While it won’t be harmful, it will be ineffective, and that’s just a recipe for disappointment.

    To ensure your hydrogen peroxide stays fresh and effective, always store it in a cool, dark place, and remember to check the date on the bottle. This way, you’ll always have a reliable cleaner ready to tackle your household tasks.

    Hydrogen Peroxide: Your Household’s Secret Weapon

    Hydrogen peroxide is a staple that deserves a prime spot in every home. It’s affordable, versatile, and safe, making it the perfect go-to solution for a variety of everyday tasks. Here are 28 ways to make the most of this multitasking marvel.

    1. Sanitize the Refrigerator

    hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning sanitizing refrigerator

    Keep your fridge fresh and food-safe by using undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. This non-toxic solution is perfect for cleaning the walls and shelves of your refrigerator without any worry about harmful residues near your food.

    2. DIY Vegetable Wash

    DIY vegetable wash hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Skip the pricey veggie washes. Make your own by mixing 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a sink filled with cold water. Give your fruits and veggies a good wash, then rinse them thoroughly with cool water. It’s as effective as it is budget-friendly.

    3. Disinfect and Freshen Kitchen Sponges

    Disinfect and Freshen Kitchen Sponges uses for hydrogen peroxide

    Kitchen sponges are notorious for harboring bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. Keep them fresh and germ-free by soaking them daily in a solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. It’s a simple and powerful way to keep your kitchen tools safe.

    4. Clean Your Dishwasher

    hydrogen peroxide uses Clean Your Dishwasher.

    Did you know your dishwasher could be harboring harmful fungi? A 2016 study found that a whopping 83% of dishwashers tested positive for fungi, with 47% harboring black yeast E. dermatitidis. Give your dishwasher a deep clean by adding 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide before running an empty cycle. For an extra touch, try making a scented dishwasher “bomb” using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and essential oils.

    5. Sanitize a Load of Dishes

    Sanitize a Load of Dishes uses for hydrogen peroxide

    Boost the sanitizing power of your dishwasher by adding 2 oz. (about 1/8 cup) of fresh hydrogen peroxide to your regular detergent. This easy step helps ensure your dishes come out sparkling clean and sanitized.

    6. Keep Houseplants Healthy

    hydrogen peroxide for cleaning healthy houseplants

    Protect your houseplants from disease and fungus by adding a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle filled with water. Mist your plants regularly to keep them thriving and fungus-free.

    7. Disinfect Reusable Shopping Bags

    disinfect reusable shopping bags hydrogen peroxide for cleaning

    Your reusable grocery bags might be harboring more germs than you think, especially if they’ve come into contact with raw meats or produce. After each use, spray the inside and outside of your bags with 3% hydrogen peroxide. It’s a quick and easy way to prevent cross-contamination.

    8. Remove Blood Stains

    remove blood stains hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.

    Blood stains can be tough to tackle, but hydrogen peroxide is up to the challenge. Saturate the stain with hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with water before laundering as usual.

    EC Reader Georgia reached out to me with a similar issue when she got blood on her expensive duvet cover:

    I had a cut on my hand that opened up while I was putting my expensive duvet cover on my comforter. Now I have blood stains where I touched it. Is there any hope of getting these stains out completely? I tried using a carpet cleaning solution and washing it but those stains remain. I’m worried they’ll be there permanently. Thanks so much for your help! 

    – Georgia

    I responded immediately, directing Georgia to soak the stains with fresh, full-strength hydrogen peroxide. I heard back quickly. The hydrogen peroxide lightened the stains almost immediately, and within hours disappeared completely.

    9. Pretreat Stains

    20240826 pretreat stains hydrogen peroxide for cleaning

    Give stubborn stains a head start by pretreating them with hydrogen peroxide. Spray it directly on the stain, let it sit for a bit, and then toss the item in the washer. This method works wonders on clothing and linens alike.

    10. Whiten Laundry Naturally

    Whiten Laundry Naturally hydrogen peroxide for cleaning

    Brighten up your whites without resorting to chlorine bleach. Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide to a load of white laundry, and if possible, let it soak for 15 minutes before starting the wash cycle. Your clothes will come out looking brighter and fresher.

    11. Discolored Nails Remedy

    20240826 discolored nails hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    If your fingernails or toenails are looking a little yellow or discolored, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda to create a paste. Apply it to your nails, let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, and then rinse off with water. This simple treatment helps restore your nails to their natural color.

    12. Sanitize Manicure and Beauty Tools

    20240826 sanitize manicure pedicure tools hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Don’t overlook the importance of cleaning your beauty tools. Everything from eyelash curlers to pedicure tools can accumulate bacteria. Dip them in hydrogen peroxide to sanitize and keep them safe for use.

    13. Sweeten Smelly Feet

    20240826 stinky feet hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    If smelly feet are an issue, the culprit is usually odor-causing bacteria. A simple foot soak with one part hydrogen peroxide and three parts warm water can eliminate the odor while softening calluses and corns. It even helps prevent the spread of Athlete’s Foot fungus.

    14. Scour Cookware and Bakeware

    hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning baking sheet

    Got stubborn, baked-on gunk on your pots and pans? Sprinkle them with baking soda, then spritz with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 1 to 3 hours, then scrub away the grime. For extra tough spots, a bit of elbow grease might be needed, but this combo will do the heavy lifting.

    15. Cutting Board Sanitizer

    hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning cutting board sanitizer

    Cutting boards can be breeding grounds for bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. To disinfect, spray your cutting board with undiluted hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing clean. This quick step helps keep your kitchen safe.

    16. Disinfect Countertops

    hydrogen peroxide uses countertops kitchen

    Keep your kitchen and bathroom countertops germ-free by mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the surfaces, then wipe dry with a clean towel. It’s an easy way to maintain a sanitary home.

    17. T-shirt Armpit Stains

    armpit stains shirt hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Those pesky yellow stains under your white t-shirts can be a real eyesore. To tackle them, follow these simple steps here: How to Remove Yellow Sweat Stains—It Really Works!

    18. Sanitize Toys and Lunch Boxes

    lunch box hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Because hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic, it’s ideal for cleaning plastic toys and lunch boxes. Spray them down, let it sit, and rinse clean for a safe, sanitized result.

    19. Humidifier Cleanse

    humidifier hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Keep your humidifier running smoothly and free of bacteria by adding 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water. Run this mixture through the machine to clean and sanitize it thoroughly.

    20. Stinky Towels Solution

    tinky towels hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaningCan’t shake that musty smell from your towels? Try this: Add 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your washing machine along with those smelly towels. If you have a front-loader, pour the solution directly on the towels before closing the door. Let them soak for 15 minutes, then continue the wash cycle as usual. This should banish the stink for good.

    21. Aquarium Maintenance

    fish aquarium hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Hydrogen peroxide can help control fungi and pests in fish aquariums—just use it sparingly to avoid harming the fish. For detailed instructions, read more here.

    22. Homemade Toothpaste

    toothpaste hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Whiten your teeth and freshen your breath with a homemade toothpaste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This simple mixture helps reverse early signs of gingivitis, removes stains, and brightens your smile. Just remember to make it fresh before each use.

    Adding a little ordinary table salt to the mixture will boost your toothpaste’s teeth whitening effects.

    23. Disinfect Toothbrushes and Mouth Guards

    mouth guard toothbrush hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Your toothbrush might be harboring more bacteria than you realize. Pouring hydrogen peroxide over it weekly can kill bacteria and reduce the chance of reintroducing it to your mouth.

    24. Kill Mold and Mildew

    hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning shower spray

    Mold and mildew thrive in hot, humid environments—especially in shower stalls. To kill them, spray undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide on the affected areas and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. You may need to scrub off the stains they leave behind, but the peroxide will take care of the rest.

    25. Deep Clean a Toilet

    clean toilet hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, making it a great choice for cleaning your bathroom. Add 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your toilet bowl to kill germs and brighten the surface. Leave it for 20 minutes before flushing for the best results.

    26. Whiten Old Porcelain

    hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning porcelain

    If your porcelain sink or tub has seen better days, you can brighten it up by scrubbing the surface with baking soda and then using a sponge saturated with hydrogen peroxide. It’s a gentle yet effective way to restore that old porcelain shine.

    27. De-Skunking Solution

    deskunk hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    For a DIY de-skunking solution, combine one quart (4 cups) of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, one teaspoon of dish soap, and two quarts of warm water. Use this mixture to lather up and rinse away the skunk smell from your pet or yourself. Repeat as necessary.

    28. Mouthwash

    mouthwash hydrogen peroxide uses for cleaning

    This is long but worth the read, starting with this letter from reader Caren, who wrote:

    I read your article on preventive dental care and want to add another item to the arsenal for dental care—hydrogen peroxide. I was facing a $1,600 cost for scaling and root-planing for a mild to medium case of gingivitis.

    While I was deciding when to make the appointment, I spoke with a coworker who was a part-time dental hygienist. She recommended hydrogen peroxide as a pre-brush rinse. I decided to give it a try.

    I got a 16-oz. bottle of hydrogen peroxide for less than $1, took a swig and rinsed before every brushing. Hydrogen peroxide was nasty-tasting for the first week until I got used to it but what a difference!

    My next cleaning was so good the dentist asked if I had the scaling and root-planing done somewhere else. I told her about my experiment and that $3 was a whole lot more affordable than $1,600. (I went thru 3 bottles in 6 months.)

    This is a routine I began more than 8 years ago and I continue to have excellent checkups. I’m not saying this will cure anything or prevent cavities but it is another tool in the toolbox for preventive dental care.

    My gums are healthier with little to no bleeding and very, very minor pain during the cleaning. I’m 54 years old with “soft” teeth that are prone to cavities and gingivitis and this was something easy and inexpensive to incorporate into my routine.

    – Caren

    So, is Caren’s routine for using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash reasonable? Absolutely—provided she’s sticking to the FDA-approved concentration of 1%-3%, mixed with equal parts water. When used correctly, hydrogen peroxide can help treat trench mouth, gingivitis, plaque, and even give your smile a little whitening boost.

    But here’s the key: you must use the right concentration. The 1%-3% hydrogen peroxide you find in drugstores is safe and effective when diluted. Going higher than that—especially anything around the 35% mark—can be dangerous, potentially leading to skin injuries or, in extreme cases, worse. So, always stick to the recommended concentration, and you’ll be good to go!

     

    Question: What’s your favorite DIY cleaning hack using hydrogen peroxide? Share your tips with us.

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    54 replies
    2. Veronica Nightingale says:

      Thanks so much for all the uses for peroxide! I never finish it before expiration and always assumed the posted date was valid. With all these uses, I will finish the bottle and save lots of money!

      Reply
    3. Darlene F. LaFlamme says:

      I was taking yoga classes at the local pool and started getting athletes foot, so after rinsing off and getting home I started spraying my feet and flip flops ( that I wore to come out of the pool) with the hydrogen peroxide. It all disappeared and no more athletes foot !

      Reply
    4. Connie says:

      When I was a child I had reoccurring tonsillitis which gave me tonsil stones. I gargle daily with 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted with water to 1 1/2%. I have done this for years with NO recurring tonsil stones.

      Reply
    5. Jen says:

      hydrogen peroxide will also remove red wine stains. Just apply directly from the bottle and let it dry. The stain should disappear when completely dry. If not reapply.

      Reply
    6. Barbara J Pire says:

      I would like to add to #30. Don’t forget Nok Out for taking the skunk smell out. My dog years ago went out back near the woods and got sprayed really good!! Thank goodness or Nok Out!! I put it on him (not diluted) and rubbed it in with a towel and low and behold it took that smell right out!! I love that stuff!

      Reply
    7. Jenni says:

      I used to get sores in my mouth when I’d ding with a tortilla chip or any crunchy something. The dentist would give me a bottle of nasty! I started rinsing with peroxide in my post-brushing routine. I’ve had no more sores. It WAS yucky tasting at first, but doesn’t bother me at all now. My only bad is the full-strength that I use after the dentist told me to mix with water!

      Reply
      • Mary Hunt says:

        Rinsing with full-strength hydrogen peroxide is very dangerous, Jenni. We are approving your comment with the caveat to all readers—DO NOT DO THIS. Please. Hydrogen peroxide can be used safely as a mouthwash, provided the FDA-approved 1%-3% concentration mixed with equal parts water is strictly adhered to.

        Reply
    8. Karla says:

      For dog owners: small breeds of digs are prone to under-eye staining, which is unsightly on white or light colored dogs. Daily cleaning UNDER the eye with a cotton pad helps remove the eye gunk and significantly lighten the stains.

      Reply
    10. Janell says:

      I love using Hydrogen Peroxide to clean my diamond ring. I pour enough H.P. in an old bottle cap deep enough to hold the ring and let it sit for a minute or two completely submerged. Then gently swish with an old toothbrush. (And instead of pouring the H.P. down the drain, I pour it around my sink faucet and using that old toothbrush, scour any “gunk” that has accumulated.)

      Reply
    12. Birgit Nicolaisen says:

      Our dentist has added a peroxide rinse requirement when we first get to the office before they do a cleaning. It does taste disgusting! Last time they had added a little mouthwash to help with the taste. I don’t like mouthwash or mint flavor, but it was better than the straight peroxide. Just a suggestion that might help others deal with the taste.

      Reply
    13. Suzanne says:

      I found the best thing so far to clean our stall shower is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, which Mary recommended in a previous article. Nothing else I’ve tried over the years works as well, not even the Dawn and vinegar solution. Thanks, Mary!

      Reply
    14. Bonnie Hamilton says:

      Hi Mary. Really enjoy your articles. I have used hydrogen peroxide for several years but hate adding all that plastic to landfills. Is there a powdered hydrogen peroxide that can be reconstituted by the end user to cut down on some plastic pollution?

      Reply
    15. Jacob Clark says:

      Thank you very much for the great life hacks! I knew that hydrogen peroxide is used in different situations, but I couldn’t even think of such situations. An ear plug was washed out to a friend of mine in the clinic with warm hydrogen peroxide. Another friend of mine bleaches shoes by mixing peroxide and soda. Will have to try! I use peroxide to remove unpleasant odors from shoes. Peroxide also kills germs in the mouth, but this is very unpleasant.

      Reply
    16. Carole says:

      And yet another use for hydrogen peroxide… I have been a multiple cat owner for almost 40 years now. At times I’ve had cats with peeing/spraying habits on my carpets. That smell is awful and was impossible to get rid of, let alone the stains they leave on the carpet. After years of buying expensive “solutions” in the pet store which never worked well and were full of artificial scents to cover up the cat urine smell, I was about to give up. Then I read online about a solution that sounded worth trying: Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with dish detergent and apply to the soiled area on the carpet. Rub it in and watch the the stain disappear immediately! The hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria in the urine that causes the smell so the odor goes away completely, like a miracle! The detergent eliminates the stain along with the hydrogen peroxide. It’s like it was never there at all! Then just use a towel or dry cloth to absorb the excess wetness on the carpet and you’re done. No stain, no smell. I have used this for years on even the worst cat pee case scenarios and on both light and dark carpets. It works every time, without leaving residue or discoloring the carpet. And now I use this as my only carpet cleaner for dirt or other stains. It even works with the hydrogen peroxide alone. It is amazing!!

      Reply
    17. Norma-Jean says:

      I have used hydrogen peroxide on poo stains on sheets and underwear. This may sound gross, but scrape off any solids, and then spray or pour on HP. (I usually do this over my laundry tub.) Let the HP do it’s magic for a little bit – you may need to add more. Sometimes I use a paper towel to rub the stain, sometimes my hand. You will see the stain lighten and almost disappear. I then launder the item as usual. Comes out of the wash stain free.

      Reply
    18. Denise Austin says:

      As kids we always had our ears ‘cleaned’ with peroxide. It will bubble and foam, tickle like crazy, and sound like a volcano, but it does remove ear wax. Just lay on your side, layout a towel in case any leaks, have someone carefully pour a capfull into the ear canal that is facing up and lay still for as long as you can, or until the bubbling stops. When done, cover your ear with a washcloth or towel, sit up and turn that ear down to let it all drain out.. As kids, my siblings and I competed to see who could lay the longest, LOL.

      Reply
    19. Margaret Moon says:

      Here’s another use for hydrogen peroxide! Recently my terrier got sprayed by a skunk. I mixed about 1/4 cup baking soda in a spray bottle with about 8-10 oz hydrogen peroxide and a squirt of blue Dawn dish soap, sprayed him all over and let it soak for 15 minutes. After lathering as much as possible and rinsing with clean water, I rinsed him again with an apple cider vinegar/ water solution, and a third clear water rinse. Much to both of our relief, the smell was completely gone and he had a gorgeous fluffy white and black coat.

      Reply
    21. PhyllisY says:

      Even though I empty and refill the bird bath daily, algae can grow quickly. I add a tablespoon or two of hydrogen peroxide to the water to keep it clear. Not harmful to the birds at all.

      Reply
    22. Sharon Schroeter says:

      One of my favorites uses for hydrogen peroxide, is to make a slurry with it and baking soda & spread it on my glass cook top. I leave it for a couple of hours & when I remove it, the stove top is sparkling clean–no scrubbing!

      Reply
    23. Gina Stevens says:

      Hydrogen Peroxide has been my dental rinse for years and years. Never had a gum issue. Hydrogen Peroxide and rubbing alcohol are my top cleaning aids. Thanks Mary!

      Reply
    24. Gary says:

      Mary, I don’t see any expiration date on my bottle of Peroxide. Any other method to determine if it should be discarded beside the date on the bottle. The reason I ask is when I put it on a cut the other day it fizzed up as usual so I’m wondering if it is still good if it does that?

      Also what I use on a small cut is Adhesive Tape, not the cheap stuff I use a name brand. I have done this for years. Something my Aunt told me well over 60 yrs ago. I also use it on a cut that has gotten infected and it draws the infection out. I push on the wound in a few days & if it is still sore I replace the tape & leave on for a few more days. It will turn the skin white but it returns to normal color after it is removed in a few days. Works, been doing it for over 60 yrs.

      Reply
    26. Ed says:

      Here’s 3 that I haven’t seen listed yet:

      A clerk at the local big box pet store once told me that they use hydrogen peroxide to keep the water oxygenated in the aquariums when the power goes out. I looked it up online and sure enough, it’s true. Look up how much to use (there’s a recommended amount and a max. emergency dose) for your tank. You can kill your fish with too much.
      When my dog ate mouse poison the vet had me give her a cap full of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. It worked like a charm. A relative recently got the same instructions when one of their pets ate something it shouldn’t have.
      I made a terrarium several years ago and read to water it with 3% hydrogen peroxide. It waters the plants, oxygenates the roots and prevents mold.

      Reply
    27. Linda Radosevich says:

      I use hydrogen peroxide to wipe down my lavatory and mirrors in my bathrooms. No streaky marks on the glass, and sanitized too.

      Reply
    29. Julie N says:

      Current medical research indicates that using hydrogen peroxide on a wound is more harmful to the tissue than healing, because it destroys your cells around the injury. Please check it out — you will find information on many reputable medical websites.
      I have personal experience with this older idea of using peroxide on wounds. I attribute the fact that my ripped-off fingernail did not grow back properly to following the advice of peroxide soaks from an older friend not familiar with the latest studies. When I eventually saw a doctor (it turned out I broke the bone, too), he explained exactly why using peroxide was not a good idea.

      Reply
    30. Judi says:

      You are not suppose to use it on any part an open cut or sore. I was told this by a doctor a couple of years ago. Julie N, you are right.

      Reply
    31. Dianne says:

      I bought an older home, with w2w carpet that the previous owner put down to hide stains in a beautiful red oak floor, which in the 50’s was the actual underlayment flooring of choice. I read an article that said to soak a clean light-colored cloth with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit on the stain until dry, then repeat as needed. I was skeptical at first but to my surprise, it actually worked! Yes, it removed the multiple stains, however it did lighten the floor, which we did not mind since the person coming to sand said he would not have been able to sand down most of the stains due to age and how dark they were! It worked wonders!!

      Reply
    32. x_ray_tech says:

      I have read that using an equal mixture of Peroxide and vinegar sprayed on mold and mildew will remove it. The article said not to mix the two together but put in separate spray bottles to spray one on the area immediately followed by the other spray. Let dry and wipe away. I don’t know if it works as I have never tried it myself. Anyone know?

      Reply
    33. CS says:

      Dear Mary,

      Thank you for all the wonderful advice and laughs through the years. Your H2O2 reminded me of a wonderful hint. I use H2O2 constantly, so what I do is leave it in the bottle & add a clean sprayer head (Shout sprayer heads work) & leave it under my sink and in my bathroom. The dark bottle protects it & the sprayer makes it easy to use and disinfect. BTW I do the same thing with alcohol.

      Many more thanks than I can write here,

      Cristina

      Reply
    34. george says:

      To remove fresh blood from a cloth you use COLD water along with a weak solution of an enzyme type laundry cleaner. Never use hot water -0- that will ‘set’ the color in the fabric – the more ‘natural’ (cotton) the fabric the more important to use cold water and an enzyme cleaner – also oxygenating bleaches (Clorox II/example) will ‘whiten’ while chlorinating bleaches will ‘yellow.’ I once was (for 25 years) a certified color restoration technician in the carpet cleaning industry.

      Reply
    35. Emma Keys says:

      If I store my hydrogen peroxide in a blue glass spray bottle, does that affect it’s effectiveness? I know it needs to stay away from light (hense why it is sold in a dark brown plastic bottle). I’m just wondering if me transferring it to a dark blue glass spray bottle affects it?

      Reply
    36. Kat says:

      I’m a contact lens tech and the recommendation that people use this to clean their contact lenses is slightly misguided. The cleaning system does use peroxide but it also has a catalytic disc that neutralizes the peroxide making it safe to insert the contact lens. If someone were to soak their lenses and then insert them in their eye, not only will it burn, it could cause corneal damage.

      Reply
    39. donnafreedman says:

      While we were caring for our mother during her cancer, my sister the dental hygienist clued me in to a good use of peroxide. An area of my gums had become inflamed and so sore that the glands in my neck were swollen on that side.

      Linda told me to mix a a capful of peroxide and three capfuls of water in a cup and swish it in my mouth on the swollen side, several times per day. She warned me it would taste pretty gnarly — and it did! — but if I could swish it for 60 seconds it would do me good.

      The swelling and pain were gone within a day or so. Linda told me that when patients come in with that condition it’s often a piece of food (popcorn hulls are a big culprit) that you missed when flossing or using the WaterPik. Never found out what caused mine. These days if I get a tender area in my gums, I floss and use the WaterPik and then do the peroxide thing for good measure.

      Reply
      • Me says:

        I found that my frequent bouts of gum irritation became pretty much nonexistent after I started flossing every night without fail. I was never taught to floss as a child and didn’t start until I was probably in my 40s.

        Reply
        • donnafreedman says:

          Oh, I floss regularly (my sister is a dental hygienist) but during that time we were caring for my mother during her last days. I barely found time to shower and admit that some other personal-care habits went by the wayside.

          While I have tried since then to take care of myself no matter what, occasionally a crisis keeps me from being as assiduous as I should be. Working on it.

        • Me says:

          Yeah, flossing can be the first thing one considers tossing aside while trying to get into bed after a long hard day.

          Caregiving is a hard job. 🙁

      • kat says:

        can you use the hp in the water pik with bit of water? I sometimes put a bit of mouthwash in the pik too – its diluted

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          Hey Donna! Sure, that’s a great tip provided you DO dilute with water. Remember, 3% perioxide should never be used orally unless diluted with water.

    40. Babs George says:

      We live in the country and use a septic system. Do you know if hydrogen peroxide will harm it?? My spouse is very particular what type of chemicals we put down our drains. Any help will be appreciated.

      Reply
      • Mary Hunt says:

        H2O2, hydrogen peroxide, is liquid oxygen. It dissipates quickly breaking down to water and oxygen. Perfectly safe in a septic system.

        Reply
      • Sue in MN says:

        If dye is stable, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is GENERALLY safe. If in doubt, test on a seam or hem. Use for the shortest time necessary to remove the stain, launder with mild soap & rinse well. If you avoid warm water & the dryer, you can re-treat if the first try doesn’t completely work. I just used this on a bright orange cotton knit last week & it worked great. I am a quilter and use it all the time on blood from finger pricks, on all kinds of colors. CAUTION! Lab grade HP can be more than 3% concentration and should be used on fabrics with extreme caution.

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