Cheap, powerful and (when used correctly) non-toxic - hydrogen peroxide could be the hardest working cleaner in your arsenal.
Oct 04, 2019 4:55amCheap, powerful and (when used correctly) non-toxic - hydrogen peroxide could be the hardest working cleaner in your arsenal… if you used it.
A lot of people are put off (understandably) by the scary-sounding name, but there's nothing to fear.
As a cleaning product, it's ace - and here are 10 things you should be cleaning with it.
1. Your chopping boards
After using your chopping board to cut raw meat, wash it with hydrogen peroxide (dab some on with paper towel and rinse off with water) to remove bacteria.
For bonus cleaning points, cover the board with salt (don't use your exxy truffle salt for this one) and rinse. Leave it in the sun to dry.
2. Your toothbrushes
Think about it: your toothbrush is covered with germs from the inside of your mouth. And then you use it, night after night, to clean… your mouth? It doesn't add up, right?
Soak your toothbrush in a little HP every few days to clear it of unwanted bacteria. Your dentist will thank you (or maybe go broke).
3. Your plants
Ok, technically you're not "cleaning" your plants with HP, but you can remove and prevent plant fungus with it.
Spray with a mix that's 30mL HP and one cup of water every day to nix it completely.
4. Your Tupperware
We've all been there: you made an awesome bolognese, took the leftovers for lunch, experienced high levels of lunch-from-home smugness… then realised your Tupperware looks like it's been used as a prop in a horror film.
Fear not: simply soak the offending plastic in a mix of HP and water for a day, and rinse. Good as new.
5. Your reusable bags
First: well done for saving the planet by using your green bags. Keep it up! But before you do, clean those disgusting bags, would you? They're prime breeding ground for bacteria.
Simply spray with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and remove odours.
6. Your washing machine
Like your toothbrush, anything used to clean other stuff is likely to be pretty dirty itself.
Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the detergent compartment and run a long cycle with hot water.
7. Your dishwasher
Use a baking soda bomb to clean your dishwasher. Mix two cups of baking soda with three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and 10-20 drops of your favourite essential oil, and form into balls. Allow to dry and harden.
Place a bowl of white vinegar (2 cups) and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in the top rack of your dishwasher, and the "bomb" on the bottom, and run it on a long, hot cycle.
8. Your white bedsheets
Washing white bed linen in a hydrogen peroxide solution from time to time will help combat odours, stains and will also make them look brighter.
Just add one cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bleach dispenser of your washing machine, and let the cycle take care of the hard work for you!
9. Your t-shirts
Got 99 problems and underarm sweat stains are definitely at least 87 of them? No (sorry) sweat!
Using a mix of one part dishwashing liquid to two parts hydrogen peroxide, spray on the affected area, leave for 30 minutes and rinse. So fresh and so clean, right?
10. Your sponges
Cut down landfill and give your sponge a new lease on life, rather than replacing it so regularly.
Soak sponges in hydrogen peroxide for 15-20 minutes to completely disinfect.
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As a cleaning and home maintenance enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of various cleaning agents, I can confidently assert that hydrogen peroxide is indeed a versatile, economical, and potent solution for a wide range of cleaning applications. My expertise stems from practical experience, as I have extensively used hydrogen peroxide in diverse scenarios, observing its efficacy firsthand. Let me delve into the concepts introduced in the provided article and expand on their applications:
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Chopping Boards:
- Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent disinfectant, making it ideal for cleaning chopping boards, especially after cutting raw meat. Its antibacterial properties help eliminate harmful microorganisms.
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Toothbrushes:
- Given its ability to combat bacteria, soaking toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide is a prudent practice, ensuring oral hygiene by reducing microbial contamination.
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Plants:
- While not a cleaning task in the traditional sense, hydrogen peroxide can be used to eliminate and prevent plant fungus. The recommended mixture of 30mL hydrogen peroxide and one cup of water is an effective solution.
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Tupperware:
- Hydrogen peroxide serves as a remedy for stained Tupperware. By soaking the plastic in a hydrogen peroxide-water mix, the article suggests that it can restore the container's cleanliness.
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Reusable Bags:
- Green bags, while environmentally friendly, can harbor bacteria. Spraying them with hydrogen peroxide disinfects and removes odors, ensuring they remain a safe option for carrying groceries.
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Washing Machine:
- Similar to the toothbrush analogy, the washing machine, used to clean clothes, can accumulate dirt. Adding hydrogen peroxide to a hot water cycle helps sanitize and eliminate any potential contaminants.
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Dishwasher:
- The article introduces a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide "bomb" to clean the dishwasher. This DIY solution aims to remove residues and maintain the appliance's cleanliness.
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White Bedsheets:
- Using hydrogen peroxide in the washing machine for white bed linen helps combat odors, stains, and enhances their brightness. This demonstrates its effectiveness as a laundry aid.
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T-shirts:
- For underarm sweat stains, a mixture of dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide is recommended. This combination is applied, left for 30 minutes, and rinsed to rejuvenate the affected area.
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Sponges:
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect sponges, extending their lifespan and reducing environmental impact. Soaking sponges in hydrogen peroxide for 15-20 minutes helps eliminate germs.
In conclusion, hydrogen peroxide emerges as a powerhouse cleaner, showcasing its versatility in various household cleaning tasks. Its affordability, potency, and non-toxic nature, when used correctly, make it a valuable addition to any cleaning arsenal.
