How to Clean with Peroxide

Co-authored by Brandon Beckwith and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: June 28, 2022 References

Hydrogen peroxide is a miraculous multipurpose cleaner—plus, you probably already have it in your medicine cabinet! If you'd like to set to work on a bunch of household tasks, one bottle of hydrogen peroxide can accomplish so much. We'll tell you how to use it to sanitize or disinfect surfaces in each room of your house, from the bedroom to the kitchen. Read on to learn all the DIY projects in store for you when you have some peroxide within reach.

1

Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, like door knobs.

Kill germs on frequently used surfaces with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Fill a spray bottle with this undiluted solution and spritz the knobs, counters, light switches, and other high-touch surfaces in your home. Wait 10 minutes, then wipe the door knobs or surfaces with a clean cloth.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 10 minutes is long enough for hydrogen peroxide to kill 99.9% of the germs on door knobs and high-touch surfaces.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

2

Clean and disinfect children’s toys without exposing kids to chemicals.

Use hydrogen peroxide to make the toys safe to play with. Grab a large bucket and fill it with enough hydrogen peroxide to cover all the toys. Drop the toys into the bucket. Wait around 10 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide fizz and bubble up. When the bubbling stops, take out the toys and set them on a clean towel to air dry.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Hydrogen peroxide will break up the dirt and grime on the toys. Within 10 minutes, it will also kill any germs that grew on them.

3

Sanitize your toilet bowl.

Scrub away the germs that grow on toilets using peroxide. Pour ¼ cup (59 mL) of hydrogen peroxide into your toilet bowl. Then, drop in 1 cup (128 g) of baking soda. Wait 15 minutes. Scrub any stains with a toilet brush. Flush away the residue.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- To clean the seat and lid, mix ¼ cup (59 mL) of hydrogen peroxide with ¼ cup (59) mL of water. Fill a spray bottle, spritz any stains, and scrub them off with a sponge.
- Hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial ingredients, so it'll clean off the bacteria on your toilet.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

4

Disinfect your toothbrushes and loofahs.

Remove germs and dead skin cells with hydrogen peroxide. Dip your toothbrush in a cup filled with 3% hydrogen peroxide and soak its bristles. Keep it in for 10-20 minutes, then take it out to air dry. Place your loofah in a bowl of 3% peroxide. Wait 10-20 minutes and take it out to dry it.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Hydrogen peroxide can kill the bacteria on your toothbrush and dissolve dead skin cells on your loofah.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}

5

Sterilize makeup brushes and personal care tools.

Use hydrogen peroxide to clean brushes and sponges. First, soak a sponge in soap, turn on warm water, and wash each tool. Take out a bowl and mix ¼ cup (59 mL) of hydrogen with ¼ cup (59 mL) of water. Place all your tools into the bowl. Let them soak for 15 minutes. Take the tools out, rinse them, and set them on a clean towel to dry.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Make a note of the date you sterilized your tools—clean them around every week.
- Hydrogen peroxide will break up the oil buildup on personal care tools and remove the bacteria that grows on them.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

6

Disinfect sponges and dishcloths.

Kill the germs on kitchen scrubbers so they won't contaminate your dishes. Fill a bowl with ¼ cup (59 mL) of hydrogen peroxide and ¼ (59 mL) cup of warm water. Place your dirty sponge or dishcloth in the bowl. Wait 15-30 minutes. Take out your sponge or dishcloth, rinse it off, and leave it on a clean towel to air dry.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Hydrogen peroxide will kill the germs on sponges and dishcloths that make them smell bad.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}

7

Decontaminate reusable grocery bags.

Remove the bacteria so your bags are clean during every grocery store trip. Fill a bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spray the inside and the outside of the grocery bag with the undiluted solution. Wait 5 minutes. Set it on a clean towel to air dry.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Reusable grocery bags come in contact with raw meat and produce, so hydrogen peroxide removes any E.coli or other bacteria that might have rubbed off on the material.

8

Clean fruits and veggies by making a produce wash.

Rinse produce with peroxide before you eat it. Grab two spray bottles—fill one with white vinegar and the other with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place your produce on a clean towel and spritz it with white vinegar. Then, spray it with hydrogen peroxide. Wait 10 minutes. Rinse all the fruits and veggies under warm water. Dry them thoroughly with a fresh cloth.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Hydrogen peroxide will dissolve the dirt and debris on produce—once you rinse it off, you'll also remove any microbes that were on these solids.

9

Disinfect your washing machine.

Peroxide kills germs and mold so it won't get on your clothes. Turn it on and select the "drum cleaning" setting. If you don't have that setting, then choose the hottest temperature cycle. Once the drum is filled half-way with water, pour in 2-4 cups (473-946 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup (128 g) of citric acid, and 2 cups (256 g) of baking soda. Wait 3 minutes, then pause the cycle. Let the drum soak for 30 minutes. Then, resume the cycle. Finally, run a final rinse cycle to remove any residue from the baking soda or citric acid.^{[14]
X
Research source}

10

Sanitize your detergent dispenser.

Clean your machine so it won't transfer dirt to your laundry load. Pour in a splash of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Wait 15 minutes. During this time, soak a toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Then, scrub the detergent dispenser with the toothbrush. Finally, rinse the detergent dispenser with warm water.
- Hydrogen peroxide will dissolve any dirt or grime in the detergent dispenser.

11

Clear out bacteria from your humidifier.

Remove solid particles with peroxide so you don't breathe them in. Unplug the humidifier. Soak a sponge in 3% hydrogen peroxide and scrub away any particles you see in the tank, like mineral deposits or film.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you see particles anywhere else on the humidifier, scrub them, too.
- Repeat this process every 3 days to keep your humidifier sanitary.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a safe cleaner because it's not a lung irritant.
- Hydrogen peroxide helps cleans your humidifier by dissolving any solids inside.

12

Clean and disinfect scrapes.

Use hydrogen peroxide for basic first aid and to tend to small cuts. Wash your cuts. Take out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and pour a small amount onto a small cut or scrape. Wait for the hydrogen peroxide to chemically react to the blood and fizz. Let it foam up on your cut or scrape so it can clean dirt, dried blood, and damaged skin cells.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Hydrogen peroxide also kills certain types of bacteria.
- Hydrogen peroxide is best for small cuts. Do not use hydrogen peroxide on larger open wounds because it can kill helpful bacteria that can repair the skin.

13

Eliminate bacteria to treat bad breath.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great over-the-counter method to freshen breath. Use 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around the inside of your mouth for at least 1 minute. Spit it out.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Hydrogen peroxide can kill the microbes that lead to inflammation and bad breath.
- Use this method up to 4 times a day after your meals. As this mouthwash is intended as a temporary treatment, stop rinsing your mouth with it after 1 week. If your condition persists after 1 week, consult your dentist for further care.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you use 12% hydrogen peroxide?

Brandon Beckwith
House Cleaning Specialist
Brandon Beckwith is a House Cleaning Specialist and the CEO of Reliable Housekeeping in Sacramento, California. Brandon and his team specialize in house cleaning such as maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning, move in/out cleaning, apartment cleaning, as well as commercial cleaning, window cleaning, and carpet cleaning. All members of the Reliable Housekeeping team receive background checks and professional training. Their family-owned and operated business is licensed, insured, and bonded.

Brandon Beckwith

House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Definitely—just be sure to dilute it with water first. A bottle of 12% hydrogen peroxide is highly concentrated, so you'd want to dilute it with water at a 1:9 ratio or so.

Warnings

Never mix hydrogen peroxide and either vinegar or bleach in the same container. These combinations release toxic gasses.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Avoid directly inhaling hydrogen peroxide.^{[19]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Since hydrogen peroxide is highly combustible, do not store any mixtures you’ve made with it.^{[20]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Prevent exposing your eyes or skin to hydrogen peroxide. Wash your eyes or skin with large amounts of water if they come in contact with it, then seek medical attention.^{[21]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Be careful when handling higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, like 12%. Always dilute it to safer proportions.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0