While attempting to avoid chlorine products in our home and the health risks, I have come across a valuable alternative! Hydrogen Peroxide! It is not only good for cleaning out cuts and wounds, but is also an excellent natural alternative to bleach and other stain remover products at half the price. Hydrogen peroxide is also safe for the environment as it simply breaks down into water and oxygen! It is a great natural cleaning agent due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-mold and anti-mildew properties.
My tip: replace the cap of your hydrogen peroxide bottle with a spray nozzle! Now, it is readily available to spray directly on those stains!
What to use it on?
Carpet stains - spray directly on stain, allow to sit, and then pat dry!
Clothing stains - spray directly on stain. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before throwing into the washer. I like to use it in combination with oxygen bleach for real effective stain removing power. Simply use a old toothbrush to apply the oxygen bleach and scrub it in.
Blood stains – During one occasion when my younger brother had a serious arm injury (I won’t go into all the details), he ran all over the house trying to find someone to help. Blood was splattered all over our newly installed carpet. Amazingly enough, hydrogen peroxide removed all the stains!
Tub & Tile Cleaning - don’t you love the scum that builds up in the shower? Try applying a layer of hydrogen peroxide followed by a layer of vinegar and scrub clean! It works wonders and completely natural!
General cleaning – It can be used effectively to clean toilets, windows, walls and floors! More cleaning tips here. I really only use this along with vinegar now for two frugal, all-purpose household cleaners!
Did you know that hydrogen peroxide is also good for washing your produce, cleaning your teeth, fertilizing plants and removing mold? Read more of its wonderful uses here.
A standard 3% grade of hydrogen peroxide should work for all these uses!
For more natural bleach alternatives, visit here. It works for me!
Thanks to my SIL, Autumn, for reminding me of this one!
Have you used hydrogen peroxide? What uses have you found for it?
Does anyone know how to get out a white ring that was left after soaking my top with peroxide. It looks like the salt stains you get on your shoes or pant legs in the winter.
I recently used the peroxide on pet stains on my carpet. Sprayed directly on stain wiped with cloth and good as new. It actually did a better job than some carpet cleaning solutions.
WILL HP REMOVE INK STAIN ?
Hairspray will remove ink.
Does the HD work on set in stains?
Take Hydrogen Peroxide and put it on your carpet stain, take a wet rag, lay it over the peroxide on the stain and set a hot iron on top of your wet rag, and any stain in your carpet will come right OUT!
I’ve used Bon Ami all natural powder scrub cleaner on tubs, sinks & tile for years as a professional housechleaner. I like it because while pregnant i could use it and it foesn ‘t have much ic s smell. It works really well, but now I’m curious to try the Hydrgen Peroxide and vinegar. I also want to try using the HP on diaper stains. Thanks
Please be careful how you store your bottles of HP.
There was a horrible incident here several years ago where a mom had her HP in the refrigerator.
Who knows why.
Her daughter and friend mistook it for cold water and the results were a nightmare.
Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide must be kept in the fridge or freezer. All peroxide, for that matter, will loose concentration and strength if not kept in a “cool” environment. You’re right, the bottle should have been labeled, but still.
I once remember something similar happening with something else… don’t remember just what… but I called the Tide people and they said to buy liquid tide, and to soak it in it overnight – undiluted… it worked. I may try that …
FYI – Careful!
I just used some on a spot on my favorite shirt, put it in the sun and it turned yellow! 96% cotton 4% Lastol… best not to put it in the sun without testing…
Why would you leave it in the sun? Heat and sun create a reaction that will bleach anything with peroxide. Thats why people put it on their hair and lie in the sun… or use heat on it for fast bleaching action… Sun In? thats all it is, h202.
It was a *white* blouse with a spot I wanted to bleach out, I didn’t think the peroxide would turn it yellow!
Amy, the exact same thing just happened to me. Sarahgrace, it was a white blouse, so I wanted the spot bleached back to white. The reason I put it in the sun was thinking, peroxide bleaches, sun bleaches, together they’ll bleach better. I now have yellow stains on my formerly beautiful blouse, too. Definitely caused by the combo of sun and peroxide.
The question is, can anything be done?
Delighted that I discovered your website, fantastic info. I will certainly bookmark and try to visit more frequently.
I have used hp for quite awhile and love the versatility. Does anyone know if it is an effective alternative to chlorine bleach for emergency water storage?
Food Grade h2o2 is.
2.5 cap fulls to 55 gallon drum
Question – a relative told me recently that a small amount of chlorine bleach should be added to every load of laundry to kill germs that even hot water cannot. I am concerned about the bleach. Would hydrogen peroxide do the same thing? Will it bleach colors if only a small amount is added? Thanks!
You can use oxygen bleach as a safe alternative. Hydrogen peroxide should work but you would want to test it on a small section of your fabric first. I use oxygen bleach all the time and it is completely safe.
I use peroxide to rid myself of sinus infections. I have used it many many times and I no longer get bronchitus. I also have used it for an abscessed tooth. Save me hundred in dentest fees. I keep a bottle in the bathroom and add a tiny bit to hot ater to rince my tootbrush with and gargle and in the kitchen to disenfect my scrub sponge and cutting board.
I’m not sure if you know it but if you use vinegar and peroxide together such as you recommend for the shower it works more effectively than bleach : )
I also wanted to add it is great at getting rid of skunk smell too..
It works great when diluted with water and a lil bit of dishsoap as a Natural bug repelent for plants…
I was wondering if you have used hydrogen peroxide on bumGenius pocket diapers? If so, have you used them on just the inserts, or the covers too? I have heard it is good for cloth diapers, but didn’t know if that was just for prefolds or for any type…
I have not tried to use hydrogen peroxide on my diapers as of yet. The sun has been taking care of all my stains lately, but I definitely will try it in the future, if needed. I would use it on the covers. The inserts are so stained that I don’t really care too much about them, but I am sure you could use it for them as well.
My wife has used it on cloth diapers.. Bum genius, thirties and others. Makes them white white and fluffy. Give it a try. She sprays with an old shout sprayer.
Well, I JUST tried the idea of spraying a layer of hp and then a layer of vinegar and scrubbing my tub and shower down…but I could barely handle the smell! I’m pregnant, which is possibly why I found the smell so offensive. But, that’s also why I want to try some of the more natural cleaners. Can someone help me? Do I add essential oil? I know nothing about essential oils, so if that is what I should do, what type and to what do I add it? The vinegar??? Thanks for your help! I’m slow at learning all of the natural alternatives out there, but slowly but surely making changes and I appreciate this blog so much!
I sprinkle some baking soda and use a scrubby sponge on a stick and some water to turn it into an effective tub cleaner! The baking soda polishes very nicely!
I have never even heard of using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning, but these are all such great tips! I LOVE finding ways to save money and I hate the strong smells and such of using harsh chemicals for cleaning (not to mention the health hazards). Thanks for the great info!!
My midwife listed Hydrogen Peroxide in my birth supplies so they could use it on any carpet bloodstains, we only had a small one but it worked, and is colorsafe!
Hi I was just wondering if anyone has found anything natural to use in place of like Cascade or other dishwashing agents, that actually works and does the job. I am not one to rinse all my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, thats why we have one right:)unless if its super scummy maybe, but have you found any that work well and really get the dishes clean????
We use peroxide alot. I bought a “green” colorsafe bleach alternative, and got it home and realized it was simply peroxide. So I started pouring a small amount on in my laundry. It really does brighten everything. I just read not to put it on fabric and leave it (like you would a regular stain remover.) I add esential orange oil to mine for extra disinfecting as well as a yummy smell.
my biology teacher just warned us yesterday that hydrogen peroxide won’t last for a very long time BECAUSE it is just H2O2– one molecule different from water, and they separate easily! i don’t know how long it is good for, but try not to let it get exposed to air as much as possible
Another cheap way to clean is by using microfiber cloths. Norwex makes naturally antibacterial ones and you only use water to clean – cleans 99.9% of bacteria off any washable surface. I have been using them for a year now and love them. I have a small private home daycare and these cloths get all kinds of stains out of the carpet etc too – we had an unfortunate incident with our siamese kitty and her tail getting caught in a door. Like your brother’s story I won’t go into the details LOL…but the cloth got blood out of our oatmeal-colored burbur carpet.
Love your blog!!! Thanks
We love peroxide as it doesn’t give off the smell like vinegar does. It works great for cleaning!! WE love it!!
Hydrogen peroxide is no longer recommended for wound care. It actually destroys vital tissue and can be potent to the healthy granulation tissue in the wound bed.
Heather, RN
How clever! Thanks for sharing. I enjoy your heart of service to God, and the passion and responsiblity he has given you for living naturally. It is not a passion that I share, but I’m learning a lot from your blog and aspire to incorporate these ideas into my own life little by little
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P.S. I’m a blogger too: http://foodhomefitness.wordpress.com/
I have two very curious dogs in my home. We always keep hydrogen peroxide on hand in case of emergencies. You can use it to enduce vomitting when your dog has eaten something harmful. Just 1Tblsp every 10-15 minutes until the dog vomits. Naturally, dogs will not consume it willingly so have a syrenge (sp?) on hand and apply the peroxide to the back of the throat. If you don’t have one, try mixing it with food; however, this will take longer to digest therefore taking longer to vomit, I wouldn’t recommend that method.
Your dog will hate it and squirm around the house for a minute but I would rather have a disgruntled dog than a dead dog. FYI for those of you who have dogs; if anyone smokes (my husband and I don’t but we have friends that do) NEVER let your dog accidentally eat tobacco or the butt of cigarette! They can suffer from tobacco poisening and the sponge that makes up the butt of the cigarett can expand in their stomach causing them to bloat and in worst case scenarios can result in death. This is how we learned of the uses of hydrogen peroxide! Sorry to ramble, I just wanted to offer that little bit of advice
I’ve been using oxygen bleach for my whites and it’s not doing it for some stains….I’m going to try spraying with Hydrogen peroxide too.
Thanks for the tips.
Thanks so much for all these great tips!!!
I just left a comment yesterday on another blog about using peroxide on cloth pads to get out the stains!
I completely agree about using it for blood stains. It works really well! I hadn’t heard of using it for tub and tiles, so that is something that I would like to try. I’ve been having a hard time with build up in my tubs and showers, and especially where the grout is, so maybe this will work? It’s worth a try!
Great information. I’ve been making my own cleaners for several months now, but haven’t tried hydrogen peroxide yet. I surely will though. Thanks!
I knew peroxide was good for cleaning blood stains out of clothes, but had no clue about the tile, I will try this. Thanks
I love hydrogen peroxide! My one tip, a chemistry teacher once told us that they reason its stored in a brown bottle is due to the way that it reacts when exposed to light. If you use it, make sure to keep it in the brown bottle and not pour into a clear spray bottle for using around the house.
Wow! It never occured to me that peroxide was natural. Thanks for posting this. I’ll start using this in addition to my vinegar, baking soda, and Trader Joe’s castile soap!
We use hydrogen peroxide in combination with white vinegar to all of your suggestions.
I purchase small hydrogen peroxide spray bottles at WalMart and then large refill bottles at Costco or Sams. I keep a spray bottle in the kitchen, bathroom cabinet and shower area and in the barn/animal area. I also keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water. I’ve read that hp from one spray bottle and vinegar/water from another work well together as a disinfectant.
We spray our toothbrushes with hp after brushing once or twice a week to inhibit germ growth.
And instead of buying an oxygen cleaner, just mix hp with baking soda and hot water and let your stained items soak overnight before washing. Google homemade oxyclean for a recipe.
I’ve also used hp as a throat swab for sore throats and on cold sores as soon as I feel one coming on. Any deep wound is treated with hp as my understanding is that hp kills tetanus.
FYI ~ straight HP left on colored fabric will bleach the color out if not washed out.
Hydrogen Peroxide and vinegar are two main staples I purchase at Costco.
Mommaof10
http://PlymouthRockRanch.com
Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations
Is the hydrogen peroxide color safe? I have a load of accidentally pink towels I am trying to de-pink. I’ve been thinking about using hydrogen peroxide, but I was worried it would totally ruin them.
I actually accidently used the 3% food grade on a black item and it did not discolor at all, by the way, I poured alot but it cleaned very well with no ruining…. Just check in an inconspicuous area first. I have heard several bad things about peroxide, but have never found any like with cotton or teeth to be a problem with the regular 3% solution we use…. Also we use as a multi purpose spray for bath and kitchen, absolutely love the ease of peroxide, never mix vinegar and peroxide…. can use together, just don’t combine them in the same container… as it will change the properties of both. We also use it to clean our cutting boards, as well. Ah it uses are just endless and we have loved its versatility every since we started using.
We use club soda for chrome, glass, appliances, windows, car (wheels, chrome, carpet spot cleaner and windows) …. anything we want shiny, as well as a spot cleaner for laundry…. add a few drops of tea tree, eucalyptus or lavender and you have a wonderful shiny cleaner with disinfecting properties…. Works for me.
Blessings…. Deena
Just be careful w/cotton. The peroxide breaks down the cotton after several wash loads.
Repeated use on the teeth can also break down the enamel. Which is not good. Otherwise everyone would use straight peroxide, and not get their teeth whitened.
It doesn’t actually break down the enamel but it removes the protective floride. I have sensitive teeth (gum recession for other reasons) and can’t use it. But it is okay for a daily rinse. My great aunt, dad and sister all have used it for years – and they all have beautiful white teeth. I’m bummed I can’t use it myself.
This is great, thanks!