Hydrogen peroxide is the liquid your parents have been pouring over your cuts to disinfect the wound when you were a child. Its chemical formula is H2O2, and in its purest form it’s a clear liquid that’s just a bit more viscous than water. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a disinfectant and a bleaching and oxidizing agent. Some people use it to bleach their hair.

Pure hydrogen peroxide will explode if heated to its boiling point, which is why it is always sold as a diluted solution. The bottle you probably have in your home contains 3-5% of the active chemical in it. When poured onto a cut, the solution fizzes and foams, which is actually a reaction caused by H2O2 bonds breaking apart – the bubbles are actually free oxygen molecules! While the science behind it is amazing, the practical uses of H2O2 are even better. Here are some ways in which you can use hydrogen peroxide:

  1. Eliminates parasites

Some experts suggest that putting a couple of drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in your ears can reduce the duration of colds and the flu. Once you drop them, let them work for 10 minutes before draining your ears.

  1. Get rid of pesticides and germs

You can use hydrogen peroxide to wash off the pesticide residue on fresh fruit and vegetables – just add ¼ of a cup of H2O2 in a bowl with 3 cups of water and soak your produce for 30 minutes in it before rinsing with water. In order to eliminate airborne germs, mix 1 pint of 3% HP and a gallon of water in your humidifier and let it run.

  1. Whiten your teeth

Your dentists won’t tell you, but you can use HP to whiten your teeth at home. Mix 2 teaspoons of water with a teaspoon of 3% HP and swish the mixture in your mouth for a minute. Rinse with water in the end and repeat the process until you see improvements.

  1. Create hair highlights

Spray some HP onto damp hair and it will create sun-bleached highlights. Wash it off with water after 15 minutes.

  1. Disinfects wounds

Applying a small cap of 3% HP on small cuts and wounds will disinfect them and keep them free of infections.

  1. Eliminates acne

A face rinse of HP and water will eliminate the germs responsible for acne and make your face clean and smooth.

  1. Soften calluses and corns

In order to soften calluses and corns and get rid of them, soak them in a mixture of HP and water and they will come off easy.

  1. Eliminates foot fungus

Mix some HP and water in a darkened bottle, then apply the mixture on the affected areas to get rid of fungi on your feet and prevent infections.

  1. Clean your contact lenses

You can safely clean your contact lenses in HP – just soak them in a HP-water solution overnight and they will be ready to wear in the morning.

  1. Clean carpets and rugs

Spray a diluted solution of HP on your carpets to remove stains which won’t go away with water or salt. Before trying however, make a test on a small part of the fabric to see if it bleaches it. Watch the video below for more details:

  1. Clean tile surfaces

HP is a very efficient cleaner for all tile surfaces. Spray some of it directly on the stains and you will be amazed by the results!

  1. Keep your shopping bags fresh

Disinfect and remove odors from your shopping bags by spraying them with some HP.

  1. Clean your refrigerator and cutting boards

Cutting boards soak up bacteria and food particles over time which is why they need to be disinfected. Just spray some HP on the boards and let them sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing with water. To disinfect your fridge and remove any odors in it, spray it with 3% HP and wipe with a cloth after a couple of minutes.

  1. Enjoy a fresher salad

Spray a mixture of 1 tablespoon of HP and half a cup of water on your salad to make it last longer.

  1. Remove wine stains

To get rid of wine stains on your carpet or clothing, mix equal parts of liquid detergent and HP and pour the solution directly onto the stain. Use a cloth to blot the stain away.

  1. Boost your immune system

By using HP to disinfect surfaces in your home, you’re essentially boosting your immune system.

  1. Purify water

Add a pint of HP to a gallon of water in your humidifier and the solution will purify your water and keep your humidifier clean.

  1. Extend the life of your sponge

Soak your worn sponges in a bowl of warm water and HP to extend their life. Soak them in for half an hour then rinse with water in the end.

  1. Clean your kid’s toys

Use HP to clean your kids’ toys and their play areas as well to keep them safe from germs.

  1. Make an emetic for your pets

Pets have a tendency eating things they shouldn’t, eventually falling ill due to an internal problem. However, giving them HP will make them vomit and resolve the problem, and the same trick can be used if your dog or cat swallowed an object that needs to be thrown up.

 

Source: familylifegoals.com