Unlocking the Power of Hydrogen Peroxide: 30 Genius Hacks You Need to Try

The Unwanted/Sticky Stuff:

You’ve saved a container, hoping to reuse it in another way. But you can’t seem to get the label or glue off?

Try soaking cotton balls in hydrogen peroxide, holding them over the glue residue for a couple of minutes and then wiping the glue off the bottle!

Disinfect Makeup Brushes:

It’s gross that we use our makeup brushes without cleaning them. They can absorb bacteria and oil. They also collect dead cells.

For a safe cleaning, mix 7-8 drops of mild shampoo with 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and 2 tablespoons of warm water. Soak the brushes in this mixture for 10 minutes. To remove any excess water, gently pat the brushes with a soft towel. Then hang them upside-down to dry.

Clean Your Veggies:

In addition to dirt and debris, the produce may contain residues of pesticides and fertilizers, wax coatings and harmful bacteria from store employees or other customers. If you don’t wash your produce correctly, it can lead to foodborne illnesses like E. Coli and Hepatitis A.

Spray bottles are an effective way to clean fruits and vegetables. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide. Spray the solution on your produce. Rinse immediately and thoroughly.

Hear Better:

Peroxide can be used to remove earwax. Cerumen is the medical term for earwax. It is common to find hydrogen peroxide in ear drops, as it is classified a cerumenolytic. It can easily dissolve and break down earwax.

Mix water and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 1:1 to make an eardrop solution. Do not squeeze more than five drops into each ear. Repeat this process two to three days a week.

Clean Household Mess:

Are you still not convinced that hydrogen peroxide can be magical? You will once you read this. You can use it to clean hard surfaces such as glass, doorknobs and countertops, toilets and appliances.

Use 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray to clean and disinfect your hard surfaces. Spray on the surface, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe off. As easy as 1-2-3.

Use for B.O.:

Peroxide does not work as an antiperspirant, so you will still sweat. However, it is a natural deodorant that keeps odors at bay. Peroxide is effective because it kills germs, and germs are what cause body odors.

Mix one part water with two parts hydrogen peroxide and shake the spray bottle lightly. Spray the solution directly on your underarms once it has been mixed.

Avoid Rust:

Do you have a toolbox filled with rusty and corroded tools? That’s right. Hydrogen peroxide is also a great solution for this! You might not believe how easy it is. Set your rusty tool in a bowl with undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then scrub the rust off using a steel or a wool brush.

Another pro tip: You know that rusted screw or bolt that you’ve been trying for ages to remove? Apply a few drops peroxide, wait 10 minutes, and then try it again. Peroxide can remove rust without scrubbing, which makes it easier to remove.

Dye Your Hair:

Peroxide is 6-10% in all hair dyes. Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to save money when you want to lighten hair by one or two shades.

Mix one cup baking soda and three tablespoons hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste to your hair, leaving it on for 15-60 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Voila!

Clean Your Nails:

Hydrogen peroxide can also kill nail fungus. You might have nail fungus if your nails are yellow and cracked. Mix a half cup of hot tap water with 3% hydrogen peroxide and, if needed, add a cup of baking soda.

Soak your fingers in the solution for about 10 minutes. You can use a cotton ball to achieve the same result if you don’t want your skin to be softened or your fingers turned white.

Soft Feet:

If you have to visit the spa every week to take care of your feet, it can be expensive. Try 3% hydrogen peroxide instead of spending your hard-earned cash to soften cracked heels. You can do it easily by mixing two cups of hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water.

After 30 minutes, soak your feet in the solution. After your feet have dried, scrub all of the dead skin. After that, lather up your feet in lotion and put on socks before going to bed. Your feet will feel super soft when you wake up the next morning!

Cleaning Your Mouth:

You can speed up healing with 3% hydrogen peroxide. You ask: How?

Hydrogen peroxide helps heal a canker by cleaning the sore as well as reducing the bacteria in your mouth. Dip a cotton ball in 3% hydrogen peroxide and equal parts of water. Apply the solution to the sore. Repeat this process several times a day until the canker sore is gone.

Clean Your Shower:

Do you have a tub of grout growing mildew on the bottom? What about a shower curtain lining that has mildew on the bottom? That’s right! You can also fix it with hydrogen peroxide!

Fill a spray bottle up with hydrogen peroxide, and spray it on the walls of your bathroom. Allow the peroxide to sit for 10 minutes, then wipe away the mildew. Peroxide not only kills microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria but also any budding yeast, so you can wait a little longer before cleaning your shower.

Carpet Stains…Gone:

This tip is especially valuable if you have pets or children in your home with carpets. You can save money by using 3% hydrogen peroxide instead of paying a carpet cleaner to clean your carpets.

In a spray bottle, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Spray the mixture onto the spot and wait a few minutes before scrubbing it away. To ensure that the stain doesn’t discolor, you may want to test this mixture on a small area first.

Kill Mold:

You’re probably surprised by the many uses of hydrogen peroxide. Especially since you likely already have it in your house. Mold can be hazardous to everyone living in the house. Add 3% undiluted peroxide into a spray bottle and saturate mold-infected walls. Leave it for 10 minutes.

This anti-fungal solution begins to destroy the mold spores. After the timer expires, scrub the area thoroughly to remove any stains. Then wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove any remaining mold stains.

Clean That Mouth Guard:

Do you need to clean that annoying retainer or mouthguard in a hurry? Submerge the retainer or mouthguard in water in a jar. Add a tablespoon of peroxide, and sprinkle some baking soda.

You’ll be able to see the bubbles killing bacteria as you wait. After 10 minutes, remove your retainer or mouthguard. Rinse off any residue.

Keep Your Toothbrush Clean:

Toothbrushes do not only collect bacteria from the mouth but also bacteria floating around the rest of the bathroom. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide undiluted into a cup, and then place the toothbrush bristles-down in it.

The liquid will continue to bubble until you remove them. You can then remove them and rinse them thoroughly before using. Ingestion of hydrogen peroxide may cause serious problems.

Clean The Dishwasher:

If you don’t take care of your dishwasher, it can become very dirty. Pour about 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide into your dishwashing liquid before you run your next load.

The hot water will not only disinfect the machine, but also your dishes with its bonus disinfection.

The Dehumidifier:

Humidifiers can remain damp for long periods of time, which is a perfect environment for bacteria. Dehumidifiers can trigger allergies by combining the bacteria-rich standing water with your dehumidifier.

Pour 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide 3% to 1 gallon of water into the tank and filter of your dehumidifier. Let it sit for 10-30 minutes. Rinse with clean water, and let it air dry.

Acne:

Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and speeds up the healing process by oxidizing it. It is not recommended for acne scars as it can further damage your skin.

You can also dab a cotton ball soaked in peroxide on the affected areas. After 5 minutes, rinse your face using cold water. Within a few weeks, you should start to see the results.

Bright Teeth:

You can whiten your teeth in two different ways using 3% hydrogen peroxide. First, you can use it as a mouthwash. Mix equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide, and then swish your mouth around for 30 seconds or up to a minute. Then spit it out. But be careful not to swallow the solution!

You can use it as a paste if you mix it with baking powder. Mix baking soda and peroxide in a bowl. Add more peroxide as needed to make a paste. Apply the paste to your teeth for two minutes using a toothbrush dipped in the paste. After a few moments, leave the paste on your teeth and rinse well.

Mint Breath:

The same rinse that was mentioned on the previous slide can be used to treat bad breath as well.

Make a mouthwash by mixing equal parts of hydrogen peroxide with water. This is a great way to kill bacteria.

See Better:

If you want to prevent eye infections, cleaning your contact lenses will be a necessity. Hydrogen peroxide can be used if you are sensitive to the harsh chemicals in contact lens solution.

Place your lenses in 3% hydrogen peroxide undiluted for a short time to clean them. After that, you can leave them for a few hours in a neutralizer to avoid the peroxide stinging your eye.

Sponges:

If you notice an odor coming from your sponge, it should be cleaned. While cleaning dishes, sponges collect a lot of bacteria and germs. You don’t have to throw away your sponges at the first sign that they are infested with germs. Instead, clean them using peroxide!

Wait for the bubbles that appear to disappear. Flip the sponge and let it sit for another few minutes. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the sponge after you are done.

Plants:

Pests can be a real problem for gardeners. As adults, fungus gnats are not a problem, but their larvae can cause damage to roots and stunt the growth of plants.

This problem can be solved with hydrogen peroxide. Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide to four parts water, and water your plants as you would normally. Reapply the solution every week until you have eliminated all larvae.

Healthy Seeds:

How to begin a new routine for pre-planting with hydrogen peroxide. Mix 1 ounce of hydrogen peroxide 3% with one pint water, soak your seeds in the solution for 18-24 hours and then rinse and plant.

Hydrogen peroxide increases the rate of germination by reducing the seed coat. This allows the seed to absorb more oxygen.

Trashcans:

If not regularly disinfected, trash cans can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, and spray the entire inside and outside of your trash can.

Rinse the can after 15 minutes. Be sure to let it air dry upside down.

Soap Scum:

A paste of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda can be used to remove soap scum from sinks and bathtubs.

Apply the paste to the stubborn areas with a wet sponge or spoon. Allow it to sit up to 30 mins, then scrub with a scrub brush to remove any scum.

Reduce Germs:

Hydrogen peroxide is known to kill both bacteria and mold. Add a few drops of peroxide into the water tank of your dehumidifier to kill bacteria and germs. If you have pets in your house, do not use this solution.

Pour the mixture into the tank after diluting one part peroxide in eight parts of water. You can add a few drops of essential oils to your diffuser if you are not happy with the scent.

Foot Odor:

You know that foot odor is a problem if you have teenage boys, or if you are married to someone who is active. You’re absolutely right. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective.

Spread the paste on the bottom of the shoes. Allow them to air dry, and then wipe off the residue using a clean cloth.

Restore Household Items:

Old curtains and tablecloths can yellow with time. Check your curtains for this discoloration and follow these tips to get those yellow stains out.

Soak the yellowed part of the curtain or tablecloth in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for five to ten minutes and then put them in the washer.