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Hydrogen peroxide is a great stockpile item — it boasts a long shelf life and is often free during drugstore sales. But hydrogen peroxide isn't just for the medicine cabinet. The uses of this brown-bottled superstar are vast and versatile. Here are 10 uses you may not have thought of:
1. Foot Fungus Spray
To treat a foot fungus, mix a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water into a spray bottle and spray those tootsies to banish athlete's foot for good.
2. Whiten clothes – an alternative to bleach
Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your wash cycle to brighten whites. Hydrogen peroxide will also remove blood stains on clothes and carpets. This powerful cleaner can lighten some fabrics, so test an inconspicuous spot first before pouring a capful directly on the stain. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to soak for at least one minute before rinsing with cold water.
3. Vegetable soak
Don't eat the bacteria or pesticides that often accompany fresh produce! Use hydrogen peroxide as a vegetable wash to kill bacteria and neutralize chemicals. Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl full of cold water before adding fruits and veggies to soak for 20 minutes. Once the produce has had a good soak, drain and dry off your fruits and vegetables for worry-free snacking. As an added bonus, this soak will prolong the freshness of those fruits and veggies.
4. Detoxifying bath
Hydrogen peroxide draws out impurities and makes a great detoxifying bath for an after-workout soak. Add two quarts of hydrogen peroxide to the tub to wash away aches and pains.
5. Disinfect your wooden cutting board
Wooden cutting boards can quickly turn into a Petri dish of bacteria. Since they will warp if soaked in water or placed in the dishwasher, pour peroxide on your cutting board and rinse to kill harmful bacteria.
6. Relieve nasal congestion
Nasal congestion can put a damper on your day and destroy your sleep. Hydrogen peroxide can loosen mucus secretions, which will give nasal passages room to breathe. Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to a nasal spray bottle of water and use 1-3 squirts per nostril before bed or as needed. A little dab will do ya — for the best relief don't exceed four applications per day.
7. Brighten tear-stained fur
The dark or red fur under Fido's eyes is actually the result of a red yeast infection. Carefully spot treat the affected area with a cotton pad soaked in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water to kill the red yeast. Be very careful not to get any in the eyes.
8. Whiten teeth
Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in commercial whitening strips. To whiten your teeth at a fraction of the cost, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and apply to the surface of each tooth for 30 seconds before brushing teeth for a brighter and whiter smile.
9. De-skunking solution
Don't let that skunk keep man's best friend on the porch. Combine 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon dish detergent to 2 quarts of warm water to wash away Pepe Le Pew's revenge.
10. Remove cat urine smell
Did kitty have an accident? Cat urine is a powerful smell that can destroy carpets and ruin a home's appeal. Use a 50/50 solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and water in a spray bottle and spray liberally on the offending spot. Blot the spot with paper towels and repeat if necessary.
*Note: All uses are intended for regular household hydrogen peroxide, which is a 3% solution. Do not use stronger concentrations for the above uses.
This is a guest post by Vanessa from Dallas, TX
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