Preparedness blog

Magical Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide

By Ready Expert
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Hydrogen peroxide can be a great tool in your emergency pack. It has hundreds of uses that can help you clean and disinfect in any situation. Today, we will be discussing how you can use it in an emergency and around the house.

Hydrogen peroxide has the chemical property of

H2O2

It is a strong oxidizer and is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent. You can also use it to whiten clothes, fight infections, make your own toothpaste, etc. Check out these ideas below on how you can use hydrogen peroxide for multiple purposes around your home.

Hydrogen Peroxide UsesPurchasing Hydrogen Peroxide
When you're purchasing hydrogen peroxide, you have a few different options. Hydrogen peroxide comes in a few different grades, the most common being 3.5% Pharmaceutical grade. This is sold in your local drug stores and supermarket and should not be ingested.

6% grade is used in beauty shops to color hair and shouldn't be used internally. Higher grades like 30-32% are used to clean electronics and cars.

3.5% grade is the only grade that is approved for internal use. It's used in the production of eggs, cheese and other food items.

The only other grade higher than 35% is 90% and is used as an oxygen source for rocket fuel! Ya, don't eat that either.

Remember that using items over again and finding multiple uses is a great way to save money and help you become more self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Whiten Clothes
Add a cup of peroxide to your laundry as they wash. It gets rid of stains in clothes and carpet. Just pour directly onto the spot, let it sit for a few minutes and then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Foot Fungus
Have a nasty itch on your feet? Hydrogen peroxide can help. Simply spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them every night and let dry.

Infected Cuts
Soak the cut in a mixture of 3-5% hydrogen peroxide for five to 10 minutes several times a day. People have reported that soaking their wounds in hydrogen peroxide has healed gangrene, boils, and skin infections.

Sinus Infections
A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of water (non-chlorinated) can be used as a nasal spray. For more severe sinus infections, increase the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the mixture.

Toothpaste & Mouth Care
Hydrogen peroxide is a great tool for mouth care. You can use it to create mouthwashes, relieve toothaches and make your own toothpaste. Start with a bit of baking soda and slowly add hydrogen peroxide until it creates a paste. Hydrogen peroxide is antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal, so it makes a very efficient toothpaste. However, some people have reported that the hydrogen peroxide reacts with amalgam fillings in their mouth, so be careful.

Food Cleaner
Some people add ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide to a full sink of cold water and allow their vegetables to soak and clean before preparation. You can also rinse your meat off before cooking.

Clean Mold
Use a hydrogen peroxide spray to wipe up mold in the fridge or in your house so that it doesn’t spread. Since hydrogen peroxide is anti-fungal and antibacterial, it should stop the mold in its tracks!

Your Ideas?
What have you used hydrogen peroxide for? Comment below and tell us what you’ve used the miracle liquid for and any other suggestions for sanitation and hygiene.

12 years ago
Comments
Howard
12 years ago at 11:47 PM
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat water
Jack
12 years ago at 3:38 AM
Did you mean 3.5 in this statement?: "35% grade is the only grade that is approved for internal use." Must have left off the decimal point by accident. If so, better correct that otherwise people will strip their throats and stomach and burn the skin off their tongue.
Patty
8 years ago at 3:33 AM
I thought the same. Then I went back to read " This is sold in your local drug stores and supermarket and should not be ingested." I am a bit confused.
Carlton Boone
5 years ago at 3:16 AM
I copied& pasted the following paragraphs. No decimal point was ommited. Your reading comprehension isn't very good. Sadly, you had every chance to check I it before leaving such an ignorant comment. 3.5% grade is the only grade that is approved for internal use. It's used in the production of eggs, cheese and other food items. The only other grade higher than 35% is 90% and is used as an oxygen source for rocket fuel! Ya, don't eat that either.
Jack
12 years ago at 3:48 AM
Or, are you referring to Food Grade H2o2 35%. If so, it must be diluted with distilled water to a mix that is less than 3% H2O2. Some people will need to make it a 1% solution or less if one has a hard time taking it in at 3% solution until one gets used to it. Then increase the amount to a stronger solution slowly over a period of time.
Rein Gillstrom
3 years ago at 10:14 AM
Yes, diluted 35% FG H2O2 works efficiently with NielMed and distilled water…been doing this for 8 years or so…
Jim
12 years ago at 5:11 AM
I use a 3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide to "boil out" ear infections. It is also helpful to those who have problems with water left in the ear after a shower or swimming. Using an eye-dropper, I get the peroxide in the dropper, warm the dropper tube under warm running water and place 6 to 8 drops in the affected ear. Works great!!!
Jeff
12 years ago at 5:35 AM
Just an additional thought about the use of Hydrogen Peroxide to "CLEAN MOLD". I put the 3.5% solution in a spray bottle and give my bathroom a going over - base of shower, around toilet, sink, baseboards. I go around the metal strip between the kitchen sink and the counter-top. (You won't believe what foams out) It is safe to use on metals - unlike bleach. I go around baseboards in my closets. Don't wipe it dry - let it evaporate. Keep it up for a week or two and see how fresh the house smells without that bleach odor.
Bob
12 years ago at 7:59 AM
What % should be used to clean mold in showers etc? The 3% that I have does not seem to be doing the job.
John
12 years ago at 9:20 AM
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean the foot nails' fungus. Psoriasis causes brown patches on foot with itching. Scaling and brown color will diminish over four to six months when Hydrogen Peroxide (3.5% or less Pharmaceutical grade) is used in addition to Psoriasis skin itching. Take a cotton ball with Hydrogen Peroxide and smear it on the skin. Caution: Do not use on sensitive skin with blisters. Do not use on face and other sensitive areas other than foot.
Ricky
12 years ago at 10:55 AM
@Rick, I used it to heal up a recluse spider bite by that very idea. It destroys the infected skin and stops the infection from spreading. Once the infection is stopped, the skin will grow back. Mine did and I have used it this way 3 times from those bites. It does NOT slow the healing process but does stop the infections growth.
LINDA
12 years ago at 11:33 AM
LEARNED NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT IT IS GREAT FOR TAKING BLOOD OFF CLOTHES...THINK OF THOSE PAPER CUTS
Wretha
12 years ago at 12:45 PM
You said: "6% grade is used in beauty shops to color hair and shouldn’t be used internally.", that is incorrect, hair salons never use 6%, they use 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, it is ALWAYS mixed with either a product to color or a powder bleach, it is not meant for straight use on skin and never for internal use. The reason the 3% sold for external use and the ones sold for salon use is never to be ingested is the manufacturers add stabilizers to it to keep the strength consistent, these stabilizers are toxic for internal use but fine for external use, each time you open a bottle and expose it to the air, it loses some of of its strength. You said: "35% grade is the only grade that is approved for internal use.", well that is almost correct, the only kind you should ever use internally is FOOD GRADE hydrogen peroxide, it often comes in 35% strength, BUT that should NEVER come in contact with skin or be ingested at that strength, it MUST BE DILUTED, it will burn your skin and mouth if you do not dilute it. I buy 35% food grade H2O2 and dilute it for internal and external use. There are lots of good uses for H2O2, a great book I have is called "The One Minute Cure", it is available on Amazon, it gives all the dilution formulas and the uses of food grade H2O2. Wretha
mary
12 years ago at 5:27 PM
I use 35% food grade but dilute it one ounce to a gallon water. Thenb put it in my garden sprayer. I spray it on and under my veggies and it helps keep bugs away and perks up my plants. It once fell in rain water but is less plentiful in rain now. I never use pesticides.
George Henson
12 years ago at 10:35 AM
Thanks for all this great info. I will be back soon for more.
Anne
12 years ago at 7:53 PM
We have used food grade hydrogen peroxide to start seeds and spray onto plants in the garden. We do not have bug problems on plants and the plants seem to grow more quickly and lush.
Julie
12 years ago at 11:29 PM
I manage a motel and use it in the laundry to get blood out of the linens. It work's on human and animal blood.
Lee
12 years ago at 11:04 AM
can you safely use it to clean mold off leather?
Bob
12 years ago at 6:51 PM
I bought 3%!food grade to use for teeth-to answer the above question. I got it at a local unit of a national health food grocery chain. I also bought tooth powder and used it together with peroxide. The fineness of the commercial tooth powder makes it superior to kitchen baking soda-and it has peppermint oil that maes it more palatable. Peroxide with soda is not designed by chefs:)
NameKay
12 years ago at 6:32 PM
I mixed 3% HP and baking soda to paste consisty, and scrubbed the yellowing plastic head lights of my auto, rinsed with clear water, and I could see the difference. My doubting Thomas of a husband was very impressde.
John
12 years ago at 3:08 PM
I worked with 97% HP in the Air Force at Vandenberh AFB Calif. It was used as an oxidizer that passed through a silver screen in the Blue Streak missile. It was the most volitical, scary agent we were exposed to. Highly unstable if spilled and would explode and burn everything in its path. 3% is safe on the skin and has many uses.
Alexis
11 years ago at 12:03 AM
Ladies, when it's " that time of the month" peroxide is great for getting blood off of clothes. Just pour it on and let it set for a minute, then rinse with hot water.
khbostic
11 years ago at 8:15 AM
Faree,I think you need to see the doc on that.www.swansonvitamins.com carries tea tree oil,great for all skin conditions,after maybe washing with H P.Acidophilus is at Swansons,a 250 ct bottle is code no SW283 for 250 countcosts $5.59+ sh 5 bucks all order.Pau D Arcois a anti fungal herb to take,100 count bottles are just$2.39 per 100.Code #SW424. DHEA is something people over age 35 take,that will be good for it,if youre over age 35.It comes in 25 mg caps,at age 35 women take apx a 5 mg dose,at 45 to 55 age maybe 1/2 a 25 mg cap at a time.Swansons carries it#SW526 DHEA,25 mg bottle of 120 caps for $5.49.around 5 bucks sh here in states...Go with God...
Cheryl
11 years ago at 8:05 AM
Faree 6% is beautician hair bleach. Go to theDr. H2O2 is generally used for bacteria. Candida its a fungus.
Gsc
11 years ago at 7:09 AM
Faree, you need to talk to someone..doctor or family.. It sounds like you have issues beyond what peroxide can resolve.
mike
11 years ago at 8:10 PM
I had sinus infection for 18 years fixed in one week. every morning win showering spray sinus
Jasmine
4 years ago at 2:53 PM
More details mike.
NameBrian D.
11 years ago at 5:50 PM
H2O2 - Hydrogen Peroxide has been used to fuel rockets since the Germans used it in WW2 to fuel their rocket plane.
laerley
11 years ago at 4:44 AM
I keep several spray bottles filled with peroxide, and several filled with vinegar. And, I use them to clean/sanitize just about anything and everything (from countertops to vegetable sprays). Years ago, I read about a study trying to determine how effective these two items were at killing germs. I don’t recall which was more effective than the other (individually). But, I do recall that one followed by the other (regardless of the order), killed 100 percent of the bacteria they tested against (and, they tested against some pretty bad bugs). It’s cheap and it’s effective. And should a slight bit of residue remain on the cleaned produce (after rinsing), I know it’s not toxic.
John R
11 years ago at 6:49 AM
Food grade mixed down to a 3% solution is great for constipation. I also use it to spray my seeds that I sprout. The wheat seeds, and wheat I grow to make wheat tea is also sprayed daily for mold. After each shower, I spritz down with 3% in areas where I usually sweat. I let it air dry while I shave, then dry off.
Jeff
11 years ago at 9:08 AM
Where's the rocket fuel recipe?
Linda
11 years ago at 5:50 PM
My son cleans carpets professionally...he uses the grade of peroxide that you get at beauty supply to spray directly on carpet that has pet urine. He advises checking in a non-noticeable spot for color fast check. When my dog has an accident I soak up, spray on and blot and let dry. Works like a dream. We also use a 6.5% grade in our hot tub instead of bromine or chlorine. 1 3/4 C per 500 gallon. Super! No problem with trying to get the balance right. I was told by my tub guy, years ago, to treat every week...we found that we did not have to treat that often to keep the water clean and bright. We have used this formula on our tub for most of the 21 years we have had it and it is still going strong. It does not damage any of the parts on the tub and is more gentle on your body.
Jean
11 years ago at 11:01 AM
I have dogs so that means messes. I use it on the carpet when they vomit. Especially that gold colored bile that's so hard to get up. It bubbles it right up. Pour it on, let it bubble up and put a cotton towel on top. Leave it to draw out the stain. Repeat if necessary. Works well on those missed urine or poop stains, too.
karen
11 years ago at 1:45 PM
Where can you buy TRUE PURE 35% hydrogen peroxide?
Marie
11 years ago at 5:36 PM
Karen, you can buy from amzon.com. I ordered mine waiting for delivery. I want ask this if you use 3% h202 for mouthwash what kind water you need to rinse your mouth faucet water or distilled water? Thanks
Peach
11 years ago at 4:49 AM
To those that told faree to go to the Dr, because she has a fungus infection and not bacterial. You need to research before you reply, Dr. David G Williams on 35% H202 has information to help her. Not to mention many more things that can be cured by food grade 35% H202.
Jan
11 years ago at 1:10 PM
I use hydrogen peroxide in my carpet cleaner most of the time. 1/2 hydrogen peroxide to 1/2 water. Other times I use vinegar in my carpet cleaner.
Frank
11 years ago at 7:23 PM
Fascinating to learn how useful hydrogen peroxide is. And I thought bleach, vinegar, baking soda, WD-40 and duct tape were amazing. Now I want learn more about this stuff and add it to this group of useful products :)
Bryan
10 years ago at 4:14 AM
As a lifeguard, I used to get "swimmers ear" occasionally. This is just a mild form of ear infection. I used all variety of well-known tinctures involving peroxide, alcohol (rubbing), and saltwater. I finally settled on a simple concoction of 1/3rd each, with a few drops filling one ear canal at a time; and allowing it to sit for 5 min. If you catch it early, this simple and readily available triple combo (or even just any 2, if that's all you have available) always corrects it within a couple of days.
Donald
10 years ago at 8:26 AM
Ever leave your batteries in a TV remote to long and you get a white powder on the connectors where you batteries are? Take a Q-tip and with hydrogen peroxide, remove your old batteries and apply peroxide on the connectors this will remove the white powder looking build-up let dry before installing new battery`s.
John
10 years ago at 12:13 AM
I have mixed peroxide (about 50/50 by eyeball) with mouth wash and use that mixture to brush my teeth. Much cleaner without the chemicals, and abrasives in toothpaste. Clean and fresh.
Steve L.
10 years ago at 12:27 PM
I have used hydrogen peroxide in my Water Pik Water Flosser daily for years. I just fill it up with water and pour in a about a 4-6 tablespoons of 3.5% peroxide and over time it completely eliminated all my Periodontal gum disease and pockets that the dentist was adamant had to be operated on. After I'm done, I just brush my teeth and tongue with any toothpaste and between the two processes it eliminates bad breath issues caused by bacteria also.
Kb
10 years ago at 8:57 PM
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean mold off patent leather ( handbag )? Help. Nothing else working.
Sharleen Valentine
10 years ago at 7:19 PM
I use FOOD Grade H2O2 and dilute it to 3% to use in my Nebulizer (I have emphysema) it attaches an extra molecule of Oxygen to the lungs making it easier to breathe. I hardly ever have to use a rescue inhaler and can't remember the last time I had to use one since I have been doing this. Before I could only walk about 3 blocks and now I can walk a mile.
Reid
10 years ago at 1:52 PM
Most authorities on Wound Care suggest NOT using peroxide on hard to heal wounds as it damages delicate tissues. Ask your Dr. Wounds and Bleeding - CWRU - Case Western Reserve … students.case.edu/health/firstaid/wounds.html Wounds and Bleeding. ... There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, ... See your health care provider if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, ..
Brett
10 years ago at 6:51 PM
I added it (2oz) to my water pic water and developed "Black Hairy Tongue" A mold infection. Stopped using it and it cleared up.
RottieMom
7 years ago at 1:21 PM
Hydrogen Peroxide helps induce dogs to vomit if they eat something they shouldn't. Give 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight. Can be given every 15 minutes until dog vomits.