Household Hydrogen Peroxide Savings

by Janean Nusz

You can’t beat hydrogen peroxide for value. If you aren’t already using it around your home for more than cleaning wounds, this commonly overlooked substance deserves a second glance.

H₂O₂ is the chemical equation for hydrogen peroxide, which is a naturally occurring substance that takes its form as a water-like substance. You are probably familiar with the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution commonly found in pharmacies. You may even have a bottle or two of this inexpensive elixir in your medicine cabinet.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful oxidizing substances known to man. What does that mean to you?

The Many Household Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

As an oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide can kill fungi, bacteria and viruses (source: CDC). You probably already knew of its germicidal properties from the many times you’ve used it to treat minor wounds.

But did you know that just by substituting hydrogen peroxide for your regular cleaner, you could make your house a cleaner, safer place to live? At $1.00 per 32 ounces, you can’t beat peroxide for value. When compared to those expensive cleaners that cost between $3 and $6, if not more, you’ll soon realize that this commonly overlooked substance deserves a second glance!

Here are just a few more uses around your home for hydrogen peroxide, some of which may surprise you!

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Cleaning Your Home With Hydrogen Peroxide

Do you need a clean, disinfected house but worry about using harsh, expensive chemicals in your household because you have small children or elderly family members? Break out your set of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar-filled spray bottles and start cleaning. Spray surfaces with both substances and wipe with a clean water-dampened cloth to wash away bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins, Salmonella, Shigella, E. Coli, and even yeast deposits!

Be sure to use both sprays, as the dual action is 10 times more effective than using either one alone. In studies, these two sprays used in a combined effort to sanitize heavily contaminated surfaces worked more effectively than chlorine bleach or any other commercial kitchen cleaner.

Who says you have to pay more to get quality?

Washing Produce With Hydrogen Peroxide

Do you want to serve your family clean, bacteria-free vegetables but hesitate to buy those expensive packaged vegetable washes?

Simply fill a clean spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and another spray bottle with common cider vinegar. Spritz vegetables with the peroxide, then the vinegar, or vice versa. It does not matter which you use first, as long as you use both, one right after the other. Rinse vegetables well under running water, then prepare and serve as usual.

No lingering taste of either the peroxide or the vinegar will remain, and there is no need to worry about a small amount of either liquid remaining on vegetables. Both are natural substances and small amounts will not harm children or adults if ingested.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Dental Care

Are you tired of paying for those expensive mouthwash products but worried about periodontal disease and bad breath? Using hydrogen peroxide as an inexpensive gargle and mouthwash can help prevent gum disease and kill germs that cause bad breath. It has even been shown to help clear up periodontal disease that may already have taken hold in your mouth.

Using this inexpensive product can save you hundreds in dental bills by helping your family avoid frequent visits to the dentist and even expensive surgeries! As an added bonus, using 3% hydrogen peroxide in this manner can also help to whiten teeth.

Do you need a replacement for your regular toothpaste? If so, mix baking soda with enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, and use this mixture instead of your regular toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used alone to brush teeth.

In addition, you can have family members soak their toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide to help kill germs and stop the spread of illnesses to other family members.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Fight Acne

Replace your normal facial astringent with hydrogen peroxide to help clear up some cases of acne.

Keeping Plants Healthy With Hydrogen Peroxide

A solution of one ounce of 3% hydrogen peroxide combined with 1 quart of water can be used to water plants in order to increase health.

When used this way, it is always a good idea to use a small amount first to test plant sensitivity. It is also a good idea to mix the peroxide into the water instead of mixing the water into the peroxide.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Pet Care

How can hydrogen peroxide save the life of your household pet? If your pet has accidentally ingested a poisonous substance, such as antifreeze, pills or poisonous plants, use a solution of equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water to cause vomiting.

Do not try to dump this mixture down your pet’s throat, as you may inadvertently cause a case of inhalation pneumonia. Rather, pull your pet’s lower lip away from the gums to form a small pouch and place the solution there. Use at least one tablespoon of the hydrogen peroxide/water mixture for every ten pounds of your pet’s body weight. It may take up to two minutes for your pet to vomit after this mixture is used.

Hydrogen peroxide is often the best solution in a case such as this, as oxygen and water are both harmless to your dog; syrup of ipecac should not be used, as it can be toxic to your pet. Be sure that your pet receives prompt, professional follow-up care after the poisoning has occurred.

Treating Wounds With Hydrogen Peroxide

And, as always, 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat minor wounds in place of expensive commercial products used for the same purpose.

Why buy expensive products when hydrogen peroxide can take care of so many of your household needs?

Add up the savings, compare that cheap bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide with those expensive cleaners, with that high-priced bottle of mouthwash sitting in your medicine cupboard, and with that expensive facial astringent by the bathroom sink. Sure, they may have better flavor or smell better, but why add unneeded expenses to your budget when you don’t really have to? Turn to hydrogen peroxide instead!

It is important to remember that although hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring substance. Ingesting large quantities of it is not recommended.

Reviewed January 2024