The Ordinary Use of Hydrogen Peroxide
The substance called hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic. It is commonly used to prevent infection that may occur from minor scrapes, cuts, and burns on the skin. This substance works by releasing oxygen when it’s put on the affected area.
Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t only used for cleaning wounds and preventing infections, along with being mixed with water to create an effective mouth wash. There are many other uses for the substances, some of which are very unique and unexpected.
Fights Bad Breath
A hydrogen peroxide and water solution can provide an effective cure for many oral problems. One of these issues is bad breath. This is because the substance can kill bacteria. It can also fight against gum disease and bad breath.
Providing an Antique Look to Metal
The ability for hydrogen peroxide to fight against bacteria is provided by the substance working as an oxidizing agent. As a result of this, it can be used to oxidize the metal and make copper and brass objects look rusted, unique, and antique.
Cleaning Dead Bugs Off Your Car
Many online forums for car and small airplane enthusiasts have home remedies that help clean dead bugs off of their rides. An incredibly popular remedy is to use dryer sheets and hydrogen peroxide, as the substance makes it easy to wipe away and safely cleans the remains.
Cleaning the Interior of Your Car
You are able to find plenty of online solutions to clean your car’s upholstery. However, one of the most effective is a mixture of dish soap, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water. This solution is also excellent for removing soda stains.
Getting Skunk Off Your Pet
It isn’t uncommon for pets who spend lots of time outdoors to come into contact with skunks. Many animals do get sprayed by these striped creatures, which leaves a horrendous smell. However, hydrogen peroxide helps remove this odor from your pets.
Remove Stains From Marble
Marble that is not sealed has a tendency to stain easily. This is especially the case with coffee! To remove these stains, mix hydrogen peroxide with flour to form a paste and apply it to the surface directly. Let it sit overnight, then wipe away. Repeat if necessary.
Remove Armpit Stains
Unattractive yellow armpit stains on white shirts aren’t uncommon, but these are always unwanted. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide can remove these yellow stains from your white shirts easily. Mix two parts of hydrogen peroxide with one-part dish soap and let the mixture sit on the stain for an hour.
Keep Your Pool Clean
Chlorine can bother your skin, and using a more natural solution to maintain your pool may be a better solution for many people. Hydrogen peroxide can help keep your pool clean without causes this irritation to your skin. You’re going to need the 35 percent concentrated food-grade hydrogen peroxide for your pool.
Cleaning a Scorched Pot
If you happen to have scorched some of your cookware or burnt food on the surface of it, hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove these burns or scorches. All you need for this solution is hydrogen peroxide, aluminum foil, and baking soda.
Clean Grout
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean the grout on your floor. A paste containing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be used to clean your tile grout and make it look brand new. Let the mixture sit for a while if the area is very grimy.
Freshening Your Retainer
Anyone who wears a retainer knows that these can get quite nasty pretty quickly. A great solution for this problem this is hydrogen peroxide. Mixing baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and peppermint oil help to disinfect the retainer and give it a fresh and new feel.
Whitening Your Teeth
Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just help to eliminate bad breath. The substance can also be used as a cost-effective method to whitening your teeth in the comfort of your own home. Many whitening toothpaste brands and gels contain hydrogen peroxide, so look out for those next time you’re buying toothpaste.
Whitening Your Fingernails
Since hydrogen peroxide can whiten your teeth, it isn’t a stretch to say that the solution can also whiten your fingernails. Many people recommend using hydrogen peroxide with some warm water to fight against yellow stains on your fingernails after using nail polish.
A Replacement for Bleach
If you or anyone in your house has skin sensitivities or you’re just looking for a gentler alternative to using bleach, try using hydrogen peroxide in your laundry. Adding one cup of hydrogen peroxide to your whites helps make the material brighter.
Why Use Hydrogen Peroxide in Laundry?
Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just work to brighten white clothing. Many colored clothing materials can become dull from detergent residue trapped in the material’s fibers and from body soil. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to combat these elements.
Removes Odors from Towels and Clothes
It’s no secret that stinky socks and smelly towels exist. You likely have these items and don’t have the right materials to remove the odor coming from these shoes and towels entirely. Hydrogen peroxide can effectively solve this problem.
Kills Outdoor Pests
Pests are known to ruin all the time you’ve spent gardening. Instead, using hydrogen peroxide in your garden can help rid it of these annoying and pesky bugs. Spraying some hydrogen peroxide on the plants and soil can help keep microbial pests at bay.
Disinfect Your Keyboard
You may be aware of the frightening news that your keyboard is 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. However, hydrogen peroxide can help to eliminate these germs and aid in making your keyboard clean. Just use an old toothbrush or Q-tip to clean the surface.
Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Anyone who uses makeup regularly knows that makeup brushes can be expensive, while cleaning these objects gets really tiresome. However, cleaning your makeup brushes with a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half water makes it easier to clean. Clean your makeup brushes, people!
A Replacement for Deodorant
Using hydrogen peroxide as a deodorant is a more natural way to prevent transpiration and odor. Wiping this solution over your armpits helps to kill the bacteria that create this odor. Using hydrogen peroxide isn’t just the cheaper option, it’s also better for your body.
Fixes Cracked Heels
If you have cracked heels or hard callouses on your feet, hydrogen peroxide can help return your feet to its former softness. There are a variety of remedies online that include hydrogen peroxide. The substance helps soften and smooth away rough edges.
Cleaning Your Drains
The bacteria-fighting properties that hydrogen peroxide has are equipped to work wonders on keeping your drains running smoothly. You can pour one cup of baking soda down a clogged drain and wait ten minutes before adding a cup of hydrogen peroxide and hot water to unclog it.
Cleaning Your Produce
The bacteria-fighting properties of hydrogen peroxide are also useful when you wish to clean your fresh produce. The components making up hydrogen peroxide create an incredible agent for cleaning bacteria and pesticide residue off your fruits and veggies.
A Replacement for Dishwasher Detergent
Whether you want a more natural alternative or are tired of buying rinsing agents, hydrogen peroxide is the answer. You can mix together this substance along with other household ingredients and add it to your dishwasher for cleaner dishes.
Lightening Your Hair Color
This handy tip has been known by many for a while now. However, it’s still an incredible method to use if you wish to lighten your hair. To do this, all you need is some paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make your hair a bit blonder.
Brightening Your Bathroom
As we have already mentioned, hydrogen peroxide works wonders at whitening many different objects. Thus, it makes sense that hydrogen peroxide can also be used to brighten bathroom fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, and tubs, among many other items in your bathroom.
Removing Blood Stains
Blood stains are incredibly pesky and hard to remove. However, the components of hydrogen peroxide provide you with an incredible substance that easily removes blood stains. You can add a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to the blood stain and let it sit for a while.
Making Elephant Toothpaste
Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t only need to be used to clean and brighten materials. You can also use it for cool and science craft projects. Combining a higher concentrated hydrogen peroxide with warm water, dish soap, and dry yeast is bound to leave your kids in awe.
The Oxygen Release
The release of oxygen occurs only once hydrogen peroxide has been placed on the affected area. This oxygen release causes foaming to happen, and this foam aids in removing dead skin while still cleaning the area. As a result, infection of wounds is reduced.
Where to Avoid Hydrogen Peroxide
Although hydrogen peroxide is incredibly beneficial to wounds, it shouldn’t be used on some injuries. Some injuries that you should not use hydrogen peroxide on include very severe burns, animal bites, and any deep wounds. This can have adverse effects on the healing process of these wounds.
Safety Precautions
When using hydrogen peroxide, it’s imperative that you follow all of the directions mentioned on the product’s packaging. You should also avoid using this substance on your eyes or larger areas of your skin, and you need to clean the affected area before use.
Getting the Best Results
When using hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, you should apply a minimal amount of this substance to the affected area. This process should be repeated one to three times each day or as recommended by your doctor. Finally, let the area dry before applying a bandage.
Hydrogen Peroxide as a Mouth Rinse
Using hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse helps to remove mucus and relieve any minor mouth irritations. This includes gingivitis, cold sores, and canker. To use this substance as a mouth rinse, you need to mix equal parts of water to hydrogen peroxide.
The Best Results as a Mouth Rinse
After mixing equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide, you should swish the solution in your mouth for a minimum of one minute and then spit it out. The process should be repeated up to four times a day. It’s recommended not to swallow this product.
The Side Effects
It’s normal for irritation, stinging, and redness to occur at the application site. However, you should contact a medical professional if these effects worsen or persist. The majority of people who use the product don’t have serious side effects, and severe allergic reactions are rare.
Allergic Reactions
Although it’s extremely rare to have a severe allergic reaction to hydrogen peroxide, it can still occur. It’s highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you find yourself showing symptoms such as swelling of the throat, tongue, and face, as well as itching.
Overdosing on Hydrogen Peroxide
This substance is incredibly harmful if it is swallowed. Thus, you should never ingest hydrogen peroxide. If you or someone has overdosed and is experiencing severe symptoms, you should contact emergency services right away. This includes symptoms such as trouble breathing or passing out.
Storing Hydrogen Peroxide
When looking to store your bottle of hydrogen peroxide, it’s imperative to refer to the storage information provided on the bottle’s packaging. It’s crucial that you don’t flush this substance down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless you’re instructed by a professional to do so.