12 Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Hacks

Hydrogen peroxide has a long history as a disinfectant and has been used by medical professionals for almost 100 years. Nowadays, the official advice is to not apply it to the skin.

But that doesn’t mean that hydrogen peroxide shouldn’t be used for cleaning purposes. It has strong antiseptic properties that make it an excellent germ and bacteria killer. Which makes it the perfect choice for cleaning your home to create a germ and bacteria free environment.

In this brief article I’ll be revealing 12 ways hydrogen peroxide can be used as a cleaner around the home. Keep reading to find out more.

A Quick Word On Safety Before We Get Started

Hydrogen peroxide is a compound made out of chemicals and contains 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. It can be found in many general stores and pharmacies at a 3% concentration.

Now, 3% might not seem like it’s going to be very powerful but I can assure you that 3% concentrated hydrogen peroxide is a very powerful cleaner. The point is that even a 3% concentrate can cause injury if swallowed or if it comes into contact with skin.

If you were unfortunate enough to splash your eyes for instance, you need to immediately flush them with plenty of water. You should also make sure the area that you’re using hydrogen peroxide is well ventilated (like all cleaners) and you might consider wearing gloves as well.

You should also test an inconspicuous area of any surface you’re intending to use it on in case of an adverse reaction to the surface. 

Lastly, You should never mix hydrogen peroxide with any other chemicals. Bleach, vinegar and ammonia for example, when mixed with hydrogen peroxide produce a toxic gas and when mixed with rubbing alcohol a highly flammable solution is formed.

Cleaning Hacks Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Now that I’ve got all the required safety information out of the way, let’s get into some of the least known, yet brilliant uses for hydrogen peroxide around the home.

1. Disinfect & Degrease Countertops

You can use hydrogen peroxide mixed with water to wash countertops to remove germs and bacteria. If there’s stuck on grease that you just can’t shift, make a paste out of hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), don’t worry this is an entirely safe combination!

Apply the paste to the affected area and leave to soak for a few hours (overnight is better), then use a non abrasive sponge to rinse the paste and grease away after the time has passed. Consider this your countertop’s spa day, scrub away the grime and let it shine.

2. Cleaning Pots & Pans

If your pots, pans and baking trays have baked on food that’s difficult to remove, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda. Just scrub the mixture onto the affected surface and rinse with water.

Even your most stubborn pots will wave the white flag when faced with this bubbling duo.

This will also work on barbecue grill plates as well. You can even add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the bowl when washing up. You should still use the usual amount of washing up liquid but add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then wash your dishes in the usual way.

3. Deep Cleaning Dishwashers

Over time, dishwashers start to get that funny, “off” smell about them. You can use a proprietary dishwasher cleaner but if you don’t have one handy, hydrogen peroxide can be your cleaning hero.

Just place ¼ of a cup of hydrogen peroxide on the top rack and run an empty high heat programme. Once the programme has finished, spray some hydrogen peroxide around the rubber door seal and any difficult to get at places in the dishwasher.

Turn your dishwasher from funk factory to fresh oasis. Your plates will thank you. This powerful cleaner will eliminate whatever might be causing that foul smell.

4. Cleaning The Kitchen Sink

Hydrogen peroxide is great on white surfaces, so if your sink is white this is one for you. All you do is sprinkle bicarbonate of soda all around the inside of the sink and then pour a small quantity of hydrogen peroxide over it.

Allow the mixture to settle in and then scrub at it with a sponge. Finally rinse the solution away using tap water, then wipe dry with a dry cloth. Give your sink the glow up it deserves, it works hard, after all.

5. Disinfecting Cloths & Sponges

To ensure that your cleaning cloths and sponges are germ and bacteria free, soak them in a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. 

Let them soak for around 15 to 20 minutes then rinse them in clean water and allow to dry. Your sponges need a detox too, time to send those bacteria packing.

6. Disinfect & Sanitise The Fridge

You can ensure that any harmful germs and bacteria get eliminated with a small drop of hydrogen peroxide. 

Apply neat hydrogen peroxide to a soft cloth and wipe down the shelves, drawers, interior walls and door seal. Let’s give your fridge a fresh start, it’s a mini makeover without the drama.

7. Get Rid Of Bad Smells In The Washing Machine

It’s a sad fact of life that washing machines get mould and mildew growth particularly if you always keep the door and detergent drawer of the machine closed after use.

To combat the musty smell that is caused by these damp conditions, simply pour 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide into the drum and run a hot service wash with no laundry.

Once the cycle has completed, pour some hydrogen peroxide onto a soft cloth and wipe around the door seal and detergent drawer to banish mould and mildew growth altogether. Because your washing machine should smell like fresh laundry, not wet farmyards.

8. Cleaning Rubbish Bins

Rubbish bins often get that bad bin smell about them. You can clear it by spraying a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water all over the interior of the bin.

Leave the bin outside in sunlight to dry before putting any more bin bags in it. This will remove any germs or bacteria that is causing the smells. Your rubbish bin shouldn’t smell like it’s auditioning for a horror movie.

9. Cleaning The Toilet

You can use a proprietary toilet cleaner or even bleach to clean your toilet, but if you don’t have any to hand, hydrogen peroxide works great. All you need to do is pour ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl and let it sit for around 30 to 40 minutes.

Then give any stains a scrub with the toilet brush before flushing. Your toilet is now clean and germ free. Who needs magic wands when you’ve got hydrogen peroxide? Flush the nasties away.

10. Cleaning The Floor

If you have a hardwood floor or a tile, vinyl, concrete or laminate floor and it’s dirty, hydrogen peroxide is an easy way to get it clean. Pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a bucket of warm water and either scrub or mop the floor.

Be sure to rinse and dry the floor straight away to prevent any water damage. Whether it’s paw prints, juice spills, or mystery grime, this solution has your back.

11. Sanitise Your Chopping Boards

It doesn’t matter if your chopping boards are made from wood, marble or plastic, hydrogen peroxide will remove stains as well as bacteria and germs. Simply spray the board with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for a few minutes.

Then rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. Say goodbye to yesterday’s onion smell and hello to a germ free cutting surface.

12. Stain Remover On Clothes

If you have clothing that’s stained with any of the following;

• Wine 
• Grass
• Blood
• Food
• Coffee

You can pre-treat them using hydrogen peroxide. But be warned, it might discolour some fabrics so do a test in an inconspicuous area first. Once you’re sure it’s safe to use, simply apply a small drop directly to the stain.

Let it soak in for a few minutes before dabbing it away using a damp cloth. Wine spills? Grass stains? Coffee mishaps? Hydrogen peroxide’s got your wardrobe’s back.

You can also restore dull white clothes! Just add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washer before washing your whites. Not only will they look brighter, you’ll know that they are hygienically clean as well.

Bonus Hacks

That’s 12 amazing hydrogen peroxide cleaning hacks that you probably didn’t know. But it doesn’t stop there, here are some more;

Sanitise Your Toothbrush

You can soak your toothbrush in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water after every use. This will prevent any germs or bacteria from lingering in your brush.

If you don’t fancy doing this full time, I strongly recommend doing it if someone in your home is ill. Your toothbrush doesn’t need to double as a germ farm.

Clean Tile Grout

If the grout around your tiles is looking tired and dirty, apply some hydrogen peroxide to the area and allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then scrub with an old toothbrush (not the one you’re using yuck!).

You might need to repeat this a few times if your grout is really dirty. Bring your grout from “ew” to “wow”, no genie lamp required.

Clean & Sanitise Kids Toys

Kids toys are notoriously full of germs and get dirty quickly. To clean and sanitise them simply spray or wipe the toys, toy boxes, floor, door handles and anything else your kids touch regularly. 

Because your kids’ toys shouldn’t have their own ecosystems. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe cleaner that won’t irritate lungs like others can.

Keep Houseplants Fresh & Healthy

To keep houseplants free from fungal infection and diseases, add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle full of water and spray your plants.

Create Highlights In Your Hair

If you want to add highlights to your hair all you need is a spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide. Simply make a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water and spray onto wet hair.

Leave to soak for a few minutes before rinsing. Your hair will now have subtle highlights. DIY highlights that won’t cost a salon visit, because you’re worth it.

Clean & Sanitise Your Fruit & Veg

To remove germs, bacteria and chemical pesticides from your fruits and veggies, soak them in a 4 part water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide solution.

Let them soak for around 30 to 40 minutes to remove any problematic chemicals and bacteria. If you’re using this solution on leafy green vegetables, only soak them for around 10 minutes as they are delicate and could get damaged.

Say goodbye to the questionable bonus flavour on your produce.

Help Treat Skin Blemishes

If you have an outbreak of pimples of other skin blemishes, you can help to treat them by dabbing neat hydrogen peroxide onto them. Zap those pesky pimples like a pro, it’s a blemish’s worst nightmare.

Help Germinate & Feed Seeds & Seedlings

When starting seeds off, spray them with a 50/50 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide. Every time they need watering do the same. Once the developing plants are large enough to repot or plant in the ground, make a solution of 28 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 2 litres of water.

This will help strengthen the plant’s roots and make them grow into healthier plants.

Clean & Sanitise Your Humidifier

To clean and remove bacteria from your humidifier add ½ litre of hydrogen peroxide into 4.5 litres of water and pour it into the reservoir of your humidifier.

Let it soak for around 50 to 60 minutes and then discard and rinse the tank. Be sure to dry it afterwards to prevent reinfection or bacteria growth.

Remove Germs & Bacteria From Your Shower

To ensure that your shower is germ and bacteria free, spray the walls with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water in a 50/50 mixture.

Make Your Mirrors & Glass Streak Free

Spray neat hydrogen peroxide onto mirrors and windows and wipe away with a soft cloth. You’ll be surprised at just how clean and clear they look!

Remove Mould & Mildew From Your Bathroom

We all know how unsightly black mould is in the bathroom (or anywhere). To remove, simply spray neat hydrogen peroxide to the affected areas and allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

You will then be able to remove the remaining mess with a soft cloth.

Sanitise Shopping Bags

We’re all using reusable bags for shopping nowadays because they are a more environmentally friendly way to shop. But those reusable bags often get dirty and full of germs and bacteria.

To keep your bags fresh, clean and germ free, spray them with a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water and wipe them clean. Make sure they’re dry before reusing them.

Disinfect Water Bottles

If you’ve switched from using plastic water bottles and gone over to a metal drinks bottle, be sure to keep it hygienically clean. All you need to do is half fill the bottle with a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water and give it a good shake.

Then allow a little to be released through the spout. Allow to sit for around 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing to remove all traces of the solution. Don’t let your water bottle smell like last week’s gym session.

It Turns Out Granny Knew Her Stuff

So there you have it, multiple ways to clean and sanitise your home using hydrogen peroxide. Back in your granny’s day, hydrogen peroxide was one of the only cleaning chemicals around. Yet many people lived to be well advanced in years. Who knew Granny was the original cleaning influencer?

It just goes to show, modern cleaners aren’t the be all and end all. Do you have any other uses for hydrogen peroxide? Have you had any cleaning nightmares?

Let us know in the comments and share this with anyone you know might appreciate it. Let’s rid our homes of bacteria one wipe at a time.

 SEE ALSO: 15 Cleaning Hacks Using Toothpaste

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