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10 Great Ways to Use Peroxide

by zelliot, Jun 10, 2008

Not everyone is aware of what peroxide can do. Here's how you can maximize your own little brown bottle.

Peroxide was invented during World War II to help army troops in their various needs. Nowadays, this same chemical can be bought in almost any drugstore for as low as one dollar! However, not everyone is familiar with the uses and benefits one can get from a cheap bottle of peroxide.

I took the liberty of researching on this topic. Below are some of the less known but definitely great ways to maximize that small bottle resting in your medicine cabinet!

  1. Heal wounds and infections by soaking the affected area in peroxide from five to ten minutes. Do this several times a day for better and faster results.
  2. Kill fungus on your feet by spraying a mixture (fifty percent peroxide and fifty percent water) of peroxide and water on them everyday. Don't wipe with cloth, just let it dry.
  3. Rather than keeping your toothbrush in your bathroom cabinets, soak it in a cup of peroxide. This will kill bacteria and germs that may have accumulated due to residues from your teeth.
  4. Use peroxide as mouthwash. Take one capful and gargle for about five to ten minutes. You'll be surprised to see whiter teeth and sore-less gums.
  5. Following the same idea as with your toothbrush, peroxide can also be used as a spray cleaner for countertops and tabletops. You may also put a small amount on a dishrag and wipe it on the surfaces to kill bacteria and germs.
  6. Spray a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water into your nostrils whenever you have colds or blocked sinus. Hold it for a few minutes and then blow your nose into a tissue. Peroxide kills the bacteria that cause colds, coughs, flu, and sinus infections.
  7. Use peroxide as a pain-reliever! If you're suffering from toothache and the dentist is still several miles away, gargle peroxide for about ten minutes several times. This shall lessen the pain and give you ample time to get to the dentist without having to suffer more.
  8. Half a bottle of peroxide mixed with your bath can cure mild and recurring skin infections such as rashes, boils and fungus
  9. Use peroxide as a substitute for bleach. Apply a small amount on stains or mix with your laundry to whiten clothes.
  10. Clean your mirrors with peroxide! You'll love the smudge and smear-free surface!
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Comments (27)
#1 by Nicki B., Jun 12, 2008
These are some great tips I'll have to try myself. Thanks.

-Nicki B.
#2 by IcyCucky, Jun 14, 2008
Great tips!
#3 by Erin, Jun 14, 2008
Peroxide is actually not a good thing to put on cuts and scrapes. While it does kill the bacteria, it kills off the white blood cells as well, actually making your body take longer to recover.
#4 by mert, Jun 14, 2008
Erin--not true.
#5 by Nona Saile, Jun 14, 2008
Thank you for the tips! Most liked: laundry aid
#6 by Tish, Jun 14, 2008
My mom has had using peroxide as mouthwash since I was around 5 and even today at 24 I still use it.
#7 by saPsaJ, Jun 15, 2008
Peroxide may kill bacteria, but that has nothing to do with Viruses that cause colds, flu, etc.
#8 by Kaysie, Jun 15, 2008
Mert, actually, it is true. Peroxide is not good for wounds.
#9 by Zalu, Jun 16, 2008
I have one more thing to add to the list of things you can do with Peroxide. #11 It can be used to clean out your ears (note: ask a doctor first if you have an ear infection because I'm not sure if it's good for ear infections). Make a mixture 50% Hydrogen Peroxide, 50% Rubbing Alcohol... take a cotton ball (used like a dropper) and squeeze a few drops into your ear with your head tilted the other way. Leave the mixture in there for a few minutes laying on your side. It should start to fizzle and pop. After about 3 to 7 minutes (or when it stops fizzling and popping), tilt your head the other way to let the liquid drain out. (Note also: if any pain occurs, stop and ask a doctor. This should be a painless operation).
:-)
#10 by dmaier, Jun 16, 2008
I use peroxide to kill string algae that develops in my pond. It's fish safe and cheap. Just pour it along the edges.

When I worked as a home health aide, the nurses said if a patient insisted on using peroxide for wounds, it needed to be rinsed with distilled water after the initial application. Other wise the residue damaged healthy tissues.
#11 by Bob, Jun 17, 2008
#6 is not exactly right. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Perhaps peroxide helps there too...but by mostly stopping the secondary infections rather than curing the cold and flu.
#12 by Moses Clark, Jun 21, 2008
Bob I think number #6 was referring to more sinus headache relieves, which my wife has very often. I will have to tell her about this 50/50 mixture, thanks for the insight Zelliot.
#13 by bobsmith, Jun 23, 2008
Another use...

When you bring produce home from the store, fill a large container with water - we use about two gallons. Add about 1/4 cup peroxide. Soak your produce in that for about 10 minutes, rinse, and store in a sealed bag in the fridge as usual. The produce lasts much longer and stays fresher. It is especially helpful with green lettuce (we don't buy iceberg) and celery. You'll notice a big difference.

We've been doing this for years.
#14 by Nurse Sheri, Jun 28, 2008
Please DO NOT put peroxide on wounds. Yes it kills bacteria but it also kills the beneficial cells that are trying to heal the wound.
#15 by Sho, Jun 28, 2008
Isn't there a reason you should be careful to not swallow peroxide?
#16 by T'money, Jul 6, 2008
I tried peroxide on my teeth, and they are whiter than ever. Also another use is to pour some peroxide after you have rinsed your cutting board and let it bubble for 10 minutes, wash and rinse an it will kill the salmonella that is on your cutting board.
An although some say not to use peroxide on your cuts, I do every time I get a cut or scrap, it takes aways the infection, plus it heals quicker because although it kills some of the white blood cells, it does not kill them all and actually acts as a helper to those that live so it helps it to heal quicker
#17 by Kristen, Jul 15, 2008
Any time I feel a cold coming on, I put a few drops of peroxide in my ears. I hold my head to the side until I can't feel the bubbles anymore, and then drain my ear out. Repeat with the 2nd ear. My cold is gone before it starts. It's amazing. (I also do this to my children ages 11 and 6, and they have been fine).
#18 by Concerned Dental Hygienist, Jul 20, 2008
Your teeth may be whiter, but it may be due to the weakening of your enamel through demineralization rather than true 'whitening.' Acid by-products from bacteria do the same thing - which is how teeth decay. The peroxides used in tooth whitening systems are not the same as over the counter bottled peroxides. Please speak to a dental professional before trying the oral care related suggestions here.
*Remember, you can also make hair lighter with straight peroxide, but it will also damage it beyond repair.
#19 by Concerned Dental Hygienist, Jul 20, 2008
From the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association: http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-66/issue-8/421.html
Despite various potential toxicological side effects, peroxides have been used for many years to treat periodontal diseases. Peroxides, usually in the form of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, are also the active ingredient in most tooth-whitening agents. The safety, effectiveness and various side effects of these products on the intraoral structures have been investigated, and some products have been accepted by the American Dental Association for whitening teeth. However, some bleaching products have been reported to have a pH as low as 4.0, while others have been reported to have a pH of 7.5. It has been reported that the greater the peroxide concentration, the more acidic the pH of the bleaching product. Some in-office bleaching products that contain 35% hydrogen peroxide may have a low pH.

Subjecting the teeth and oral tissues to a low or high pH for an extended period of time may cause adverse side effects. When the pH falls below 5.2, enamel demineralization and root resorption have been reported. Recent research to investigate the effects of pH on enamel suggests that low pH and high acid concentrations cause enamel erosion.
#20 by don't know it all, Jul 23, 2008
It's amazing how people survived back in the olden days without all this technology they used stuff like peroxide and ointments and a LOT of home remedies because no one could afford a doctor and believe it or not it does work!! The medical world discourages these techniques because they work and if more people self treated less money in there(DR.) pockets. The Dr.s now don't care what's wrong with you they treat your symptoms they don't try and cure you. Do you know that your gallbladder does NOT have to come out if you have trouble and if you have gallstones there is a way to flush it out of the gallbladder. I just went through it and it does work no Dr. required. I did in fact talk to one and he said it wouldn't work guess the joke is on him. people worried about killing a few white blood cell along with the bad one with peroxide what about chemo??? It kills a lot of things but some times it does work. there is not one technique out there that is 100% and that my friends is a FACT!!!
#21 by markuspea, Jul 29, 2008
Can also be used to induce vomiting in humans and animals. My dog swallowed an aspirin before and we all know that acetamenaphin is toxic to dogs...by vet advised i immediately make my dog swallow 10cc of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting then get him to the vet asap.
#22 by beckalote, Jul 30, 2008
intervenous drip with hydrogen peroxide kills viruses.
#23 by nene, Aug 2, 2008
My dermatologist told me to mix peroxide 50/50 with water to put on wounds (I had stitches).
#24 by cribcat, Aug 22, 2008
Watch out for deep cuts,some bacteria love oxygen. I got infected following that advise and still have scars.
#25 by bullshitalert, Aug 27, 2008
to #22: viruses cannot be killed, since they are not living organisms.
#26 by WhatThe?, Sep 11, 2008
Actually, #25, it has not been proven if a virus is a form of life or not. They have some characteristics of life and missing other characteristics.
#27 by jcw, Sep 28, 2008
If you get blood on fabric, pour some peroxide on the spots of blood and wash. No more blood stained clothing! My son gets lots of bloody noses and it works on his clothes and his bedding.
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