How to use hydrogen peroxide in 14 different ways

You may have some hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit, but mightn’t have known all of its applications.

Aside from being a great disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide should be a staple for your general health, hygiene and cleaning.

Here’s some great ways to use it today:

1. Clean and disinfect minor wounds

This is one of the most obvious uses for hydrogen peroxide yet many people will reach for another product. The 3% solution you can buy at the supermarket can be applied directly to minor wounds to clean away dead tissue. It can also halt minor bleeding, and can help to clear up infections or prevent infections from setting in.

2. Fight foot fungus

If you suffer from tinea or other types of foot fungus, hydrogen peroxide can really help, due to its antifungal properties. Simply apply a mixture of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide to the areas and repeat daily.

3. Remove a red wine stain

Get rid of that red wine stain by combining equal parts hydrogen peroxide and liquid detergent and pouring over the stain. Blot with a towel, wash with warm water, and let it dry.

4. Get rid of an ear infection

You can also use hydrogen peroxide drops in your ear to take care of an ear infection. It’s always advised to see a doctor, however.

5. Whiten your teeth

Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent and is quite powerful. Simply swish for half a minute and rinse every week.

6. Make a toothpaste

If you don’t like store-bought toothpaste, you can make your own toothpaste at home by mixing bicarb soda with hydrogen peroxide into a paste.

7. Soften calluses and corns

Have calluses and corns on your feet? You can soften them by soaking your feet in hydrogen peroxide and water.

8. Whiten grout

Nothing looks worse than bathroom grout that has turned brown from mould. To whiten your grout, first, make sure it is dry, and then spray peroxide directly onto it. Come back with a toothbrush and soapy water two hours later and scrub vigorously before drying it off.

9. Clean your rugs and carpets

Spray hydrogen peroxide on them to get rid of those unsightly food and mud stains. Be sure that you only do this on light-colored fabrics, though!

10. Whiten clothes

You can add a cup of hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them.

11. Toilet bowl cleaner

Pour some hydrogen peroxide around the bowl, let it sit for 20 minutes or so, then wipe it down.

12. Fridge cleaner

Use a box of bicarb soda to eliminate the odours, then wipe everything down with a hydrogen peroxide solution.

13. Extend the life of a sponge

Soak your sponge in a bowl of hydrogen peroxide and warm water, then rinse it off.

14. Disinfect your countertops

Hydrogen peroxide great for maintaining clean countertops. It’s also been shown to kill E. coli and salmonella bacteria on those germy surfaces.

Do you have any other uses for hydrogen peroxide?