27 Suprising Ways to Use This Handy Medicine Cabinet Staple
Hydrogen Peroxide. You probably have the distinctive brown bottle in your bathroom cabinet right now. You’ve long known the hydrogen peroxide can be a great antiseptic to clean out wounds if you get a cut or scrape. But did you know that this medicine cabinet staple has many other great ways you can use peroxide throughout your home?
The hydrogen peroxide you are used to seeing is actually a water-based suspension of pure hydrogen peroxide. Diluting it in a slightly acidic base in a dark container helps keep the mixture from breaking down and losing its efficacy.
Here are some ways to use hydrogen peroxide that might surprise you.
Cleaning
At less than $2 a bottle in most places, hydrogen peroxide is an affordable way to amp up your cleaning while avoiding the chemicals and toxins you find in so many other cleaning products.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, and mold spores. It is considered safe to use almost anywhere in the house including:
- Brightening grout: Apply peroxide to your grout, let it sit for a while and rinse it off to make your grout whiter again
- Cleaning your appliances: Spray or wipe hydrogen peroxide onto the interior surfaces of your dishwasher, microwave, or refrigerator. Pay special attention to gaskets and rubber pieces that may hold onto bacteria or mildew. No need to rinse, it will harmlessly wash away with your next cycle.
- Clean sinks, tubs, and countertops: Spray the surface and wipe down with a sponge.
- Clean your garbage cans: Spray and wipe
- Deodorize your cat’s litter box: Empty and rinse the litter box, then wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide and let it dry to help reduce urine odors that may stick to the surface.
- Clean your toilet: Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bowl and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before flushing. Don’t forget to spray down the seat, handle and under the rim too.
- Clean windows and mirrors: Make a solution of half water…
