Hydrogen peroxide has very few practical households uses, but this cheap chemical is still a powerful cleaning agent. So powerful in fact that it can be used to clean just about anything in your home or office with surprising results. The following are five of the most popular uses for hydrogen peroxide in the home.

Hydrogen peroxide is an affordable option for cleaning and sanitizing around your home. It is a powerful oxidizer and as such, it can be used to clean a variety of surfaces.

Cleaning & Disinfecting

The most common household use for hydrogen peroxide is as a cleaning and disinfecting agent. For example, you can mix 2 parts water with 1 part hydrogen peroxide to create a powerful cleaner that will dissolve soap scum and mineral deposits almost instantly. You can also add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your washing machine to kill bacteria and remove stains even in cold water.

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean floors, bathroom surfaces, cutting boards, kitchen appliances like coffee makers and humidifiers, pet bowls, and many other household items.

Clean floors

Combine two parts of water with one part hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle to create a pungent but non-toxic cleaner that will leave your floors fresh and sparkling without the harsh chemical fumes found in many commercial cleaners.

Mixing equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water will produce a solution that can be used to clean and deodorize tile and vinyl floors.

Bathroom surfaces

Use hydrogen peroxide to clean bathtubs, tiles, toilets, sinks, and other bathroom surfaces. Simply spray the affected area with a mixture of two parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide before scrubbing away any soap scum or mineral deposits.

Kitchen appliances

Hydrogen peroxide is useful for cleaning all kinds of household appliances including humidifiers, coffee makers, toasters, and microwave ovens. Just mix a little hydrogen peroxide with water in a spray bottle before spraying the appliance and wiping away any stains or buildups.

Toothbrush disinfectant

In addition to being an effective cleaning agent, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to sanitize your toothbrush. Simply soak your toothbrush in a shallow dish of hydrogen peroxide and water for a few minutes before rinsing the toothbrush clean. This will kill any bacteria on your toothbrush and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Pet bowls

Mix a little water with hydrogen peroxide in a separate dish to create a powerful disinfectant for your pet’s food and water bowls. Just be sure that the hydrogen peroxide is thoroughly mixed with the water before placing the dishes in your pet’s cage.

Disinfecting Cutting Boards

Did you know that hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect a cutting board? This is a great way to sterilize a cutting board after preparing meat, which can help prevent contamination from bacteria such as E-coli. All you have to do is soak the cutting board in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water for 10 minutes. This mixture will be about 3% hydrogen peroxide, meaning that it can still be used to clean surfaces around the home or office afterward.

Cleaning wounds

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural antiseptic that can help heal cuts and scrapes. Just make sure to dilute it with water before applying, as hydrogen peroxide can damage healthy skin cells. Clean the cut with water, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and an antibiotic ointment. You can also add a tablespoon of baking soda to reduce pain and inflammation associated with wound care.

Improving dental hygiene

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide will kill germs in the mouth, reducing bad breath and tooth decay associated with gum disease. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. If you want to make the hydrogen peroxide solution more effective, add baking soda or salt.

Removing stains

Use it to remove makeup stains from clothing and other fabric items or to remove rust stains from fabric, clothing, or toilets. Just make sure to dilute it with an equal amount of water before applying it. Also, be aware that hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabric and clothes, so it’s advisable to test a small area before applying directly.

Preventing infections after surgery or injury

It’s important to cleanse wounds before closing them up, which is where hydrogen peroxide comes in handy. You can wipe it over the wound to clean the area and kill bacteria at the same time.

Athlete’s foot

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural remedy for Athlete’s foot, which can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. Just mix six parts hydrogen peroxide with two parts water, then cleanse the affected area twice daily using cotton balls.

Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile and inexpensive chemical that can be used for many different purposes. If you’re looking to save money, time, or the environment by using less toxic chemicals than bleach, hydrogen peroxide may just be your solution.

Now that you know the benefits of hydrogen peroxide, pick up a bottle next time you’re at the store. You should keep some in your kitchen for cleaning purposes and keep it on hand if you ever need to clean a wound or disinfect an item around your home.