Hydrogen peroxide, that watery substance that does such a good job cleaning out cuts, can often be used as a substitute for more expensive household cleaners. A 16-ounce bottle with a 3 percent concentration of peroxide typically goes for $1 or less, while spray bottles or jugs of harsher chemicals cost $4 or more. (Stay away from more concentrated forms of hydrogen peroxide, which can be dangerous if swallowed.) Try out these uses, which come from a widely-circulated Internet post and are backed up by research, and add your own below:
- Rinse your mouth out with one capful of hydrogen peroxide instead of mouthwash. Some people say it helps prevent canker sores and keeps teeth white.
- To clean your toothbrush, soak it in a cup of hydrogen peroxide.
- Use peroxide to wipe off kitchen counters and kill germs. It smells much better than bleach.
- Put peroxide on cutting boards, especially wooden ones, to kill bacteria.
- Spray peroxide on fungus-afflicted feet each night.
- Pour peroxide on cuts and skin infections. (Bonus factor: Kids love to watch the blood fizz away.)
- Clean toilets and sinks with peroxide.
- Spray peroxide into your nose when you have a cold or stuffed up sinuses.
- Apply peroxide to toothaches before you can make it to the dentist.
- Spray peroxide on your hair and then go out into the sun if you want to lighten your locks.
- Mix some peroxide into your bath water to help sooth irritated skin.
- Substitute peroxide for bleach in your white load of laundry to whiten up those whites.
- Instead of Windex, use peroxide to clean mirrors.
Please share your own peroxide uses below.
Rachel of NY @ Sep 21, 2009 11:07:33 AM
Lou of VA @ May 28, 2009 11:59:56 AM
Alex Seb of CA @ May 23, 2009 19:53:45 PM