22 Surprising Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around the Home (2024)

A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide that you commonly find in a drugstore works great for household cleaning and disinfecting. Read on to learn 22 uses for hydrogen peroxide, such as boosting the performance of plants in your garden, cleaning your home and laundry, and improving your beauty routine.

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical compound H₂O₂, made up of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Hydrogen peroxide is sold in concentrations of 3 to 12 percent at most drugstores and online.

Tip

Hydrogen peroxide comes in the dark brown bottle because it breaks down to plain water when exposed to heat, light, and air. The decomposition isn't harmful, but if the "fizz" is gone when using it, it's turned into plain water. For the best result, use the bottle within a month of opening. Hydrogen peroxide should be viable for six months after opening.

22 Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around the Home

Sanitize Beauty andManicure Tools
Each time you use tweezers, manicure or pedicure tools, and eyelash curlers, they come in contact with body soil and bacteria. A dip or rub-down with a bit of hydrogen peroxide willsanitize the tools.
Disinfect Toothbrushes and Mouth Guards
Toothbrushes, retainers, and sports mouth guards can be disinfected by a quick soak in hydrogen peroxide. Give each a good rinse with plain water before using them.
Warning
Never swallow hydrogen peroxide. Even at the 3 percent concentration, it can cause blistering in the mouth, vomiting, and abdominal distress.
Get Sweet-Smelling, Prettier Feet
Smelly feet are caused by odor-causing bacteria. Mix a foot soak with one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts warm water. The same treatment will help protect againstspreading athlete's foot fungus and even soften calluses and corns.
Whiten Discolored Nails
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda in a bowl to form a paste. It will foam a bit, but when it stops, spread the paste over and under your nails. Let it work for three minutes and then rinse with plain water.
Freshen and Disinfect Kitchen Sponges
Kitchen sponges can harbor bacteria, including E.coli and Salmonella. Disinfect them daily with a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent hydrogen peroxide.
Keep Cutting Boards Bacteria-Free
Each time you use wooden or plastic cutting boards, little scratches appear that can trap bacteria. A quick spritz with hydrogen peroxide will keep them safe to use.
Sanitize Your Refrigerator
After you've cleaned out your refrigerator and before you add that new box of baking soda, spray the inside with hydrogen peroxide to kill any lingering bacteria. Let it work for several minutes and then wipe down with plain water.
Brighten Discolored Cookware
Mix a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to spread on the interior of discolored ceramic-coated cookware. This will help lighten stains and gently clean the surface.
Make Reusable Grocery Bags Healthier
Reusable grocery bags are great for the environment butnot always so good for your health. The bags should bewashed frequently and correctly. However, if you don't have time for a thorough cleaning, give the interiors a quick spray with hydrogen peroxide to kill potentially harmful bacteria.
Clean Tile Grout
Grout between the bathroom and kitchen tiles not only gets dirty, but it can also getcovered with mildew. One of the best ways to kill the fungus is hydrogen peroxide. To whiten grout, mix a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Spread it on the tile (it will also help cut throughsoap scum) and let it work for five minutes. Wipe away with plain water to see the sparkle.
Put a Shine on Mirrors
Use a lint-freemicrofiber clothand a spray of hydrogen peroxide for a streak-free mirror.
Whiten Dingy Clothes
If you don't like usingchlorine bleach, add somehydrogen peroxideinstead to a load of dingy white clothes. Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washer or automatic bleach dispenser before adding water or clothes.
Get Rid of Underarm Sweat Stains on White Shirts
Mix 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cupbaking soda, and1/4 cup water in a bowl. Use a soft-bristled brush to work the solution intounderarm stainsand allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Give it one more final scrub with the brush and thenwash as usual.
Breathe Easier
Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are perfect breeding grounds for molds due to the moisture and heat they collect or generate. Keep them clean by running a solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide through them monthly.
Kill Dust Mites
Dust mitesthrive on the small bits of skin we shed in our homes, particularly in the bedroom. Give your mattress a spray with equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water to kill the insects. Allow the mattress to dry completely before remaking the bed withclean bedding.
Disinfect Kids' and Pets' Toys
To kill germs and bacteria,spray plastic toyswith hydrogen peroxide. Allow it to sit on the surfaces for a few minutes and then rinse with plain water.
Make Your Garden Grow
That extra oxygen molecule in hydrogen peroxide boosts a plant's ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Mix one part 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with four parts room-temperature water. Use it right away to fertilize outdoor and indoor plants.
Protect Plants From Disease
Insects, fungus, andplant diseasescan easily be transferred from plant to plant. Use hydrogen peroxide to sanitize garden tools like Fiskars Pruning Shears and containers after each use.
Erase Blood Stains
To get rid of those pesky blood stains, apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide to the blood stain as soon as you can. Once it stops fizzing, dab (never rub!) the stain with a clean cloth. You should continue to apply hydrogen peroxide and dab at the stain until the stain is gone.
Wipe Away Stains from Marble
Unsealed marble tables, countertops, shelves, or cutting boards will likely be stained at some point or another. To magic that mess away, combine flour and hydrogen peroxide into a pasty mixture and apply it directly to the stain. Securely cover the paste and surrounding area with plastic wrap, and leave it to sit for at least 12 hours. When you clean the paste away, you should have no stain remaining (or at least a much lighter stain). You can repeat this process until the stain is gone. (To avoid any mishaps, test this stain-away mixture in a small, hidden area before you use a lot somewhere conspicuous.)
Clean Toilets
Hydrogen peroxide comes in with a one-two punch at the toilet bowl: It works to clean, and sanitize. Just pour a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then use a toilet brush to really get at any leftover staining or discoloration. Flush, and you're done!
Remove Pesky Food and Grass Stains
It works on sweat stains, it can work on food and grass stains. Take hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and combine them together at a ratio of two to one. Use a soft scrub brush (like a soft kitchen scrubber) to apply the stain remover to your dirty laundry. Let the mixture sit and work its magic, then rinse it out with cold water. Repeat this process until you can no longer see the stain, then wash your clothes as you normally would. (To avoid any accidental discoloration, test this stain remover in a small, inconspicuous area first.)