7 things you didn’t know you could clean with hydrogen peroxide

Use it beyond your first aid kit.

Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution. The brown bottle you use for scrapes and cuts is useful in so many ways around the house, including cleaning. Since hydrogen peroxide only lasts up to six months once opened, it’s unlikely you’ll use it all for first aid, so put it to use to remove carpet stains, revive grout, sanitize surfaces, and spiff up your windows. Here are things you may not have known you can clean with hydrogen peroxide.

What To Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is good at removing protein-based stains like mildew, blood, and urine, and its bleaching power helps it brighten white fabrics and bathtubs. 

Warning

When using hydrogen peroxide, wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid irritation, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix it with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning agents.

Get Rid Of Carpet Stains

Rather than expensive carpet cleaners, hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat stains on white or light-colored carpets. First, always test in an inconspicuous area before using it to make sure it doesn’t bleach or damage the carpet. Combine equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl or spray bottle. Use a soft cloth dampened with the solution to blot the stain. For more stubborn stains, use hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and use a white cloth to apply it to the stain and blot gently. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes, then use a damp cloth to rinse.

Kill Mold

Mold and mildew can be a problem in steamy bathrooms and areas with constant moisture. You may have seen pink slime in the bathtub, mold around sink fixtures, and mold under the toilet rim. Take control of moldy bathroom and kitchen surfaces by adding hydrogen peroxide directly to a spray bottle and spritzing showers, toilets, sinks, and other surfaces. (Avoid stone tiles and countertops because it can react with the seal or the stone itself.) Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the fizzing action to work its magic. If you have stubborn spots or larger areas, mix a paste of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda. Apply it to the area with a sponge, let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with a sponge or soft brush. Rinse and dry.

Brighten Grout

Dirty grout can be an eyesore, but hydrogen peroxide can get rid of a dirty, dingy appearance caused by dirt, mold, and moisture. Apply a paste of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to the grout lines on tile floors, shower walls, counters, or other tile surfaces. Use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout, then let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Keep this method in your cleaning rotation every few months to keep your grout looking fresh.

Remove Laundry Stains

Hydrogen peroxide can make easy work of hard-to-remove stains like wine, blood, or grass stains. Test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it’s safe to use on your fabric, and avoid using it on wool or vintage items. Spray hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain before washing. Let it fizz, then blot the stain and wash like normal. You can also use it to brighten loads and remove odors by adding ½ cup to your wash cycle.

Clean Glass And Mirrors

From the kitchen to the laundry room to the bathroom, you can use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect all over the house. While you’re at it, give mirrors and glass a shine. Spray it undiluted onto the surface, and wipe away dust, grime, and streaks. 

Disinfect Surfaces

Hydrogen peroxide kills viruses and bacteria, so it’s handy to have in your cleaning supplies. Pour some hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle to use just as you would other disinfectants. Spray it on doorknobs and handles, stovetops, countertops, refrigerator shelves, and light switches. Let it sit for up to 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Spritz earrings to disinfect them before wearing to prevent infections in your piercings. You can also clean gardening tools by using the spray to wipe them down after use and then rinse them thoroughly. This helps prevent spreading diseases to other plants. Make sure to put only what you’ll need in the spray bottle at one time or use an opaque bottle. A clear bottle will cause the hydrogen peroxide to become less effective, so it’s not ideal for storage.

Sanitize Beauty Tools

You use beauty tools on your face, hands, and body, so make sure to clean them regularly. Sanitize nail clippers, tweezers, eyelash curlers, sponges, loofahs, and makeup brushes with hydrogen peroxide for the next time you need them. Soak non-electrical items in a bowl of hydrogen peroxide and let them sit for a minute, then rinse. Or dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide to wipe down the surfaces.

What Not To Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is safe for many surfaces, it’s not suitable for everything. Don’t clean colored or delicate fabrics like silk, electronics, or some types of metal. Don’t use it on wood, leather, or natural stone like marble or granite because it can strip protective oils and finishes and leave dry, foggy, or discolored results behind.

Read the original article on Southern Living