Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the home: all its uses

What is hydrogen peroxide and why is it good for cleaning?

Hydrogen peroxide, or oxygenated water, is a liquid mainly used for hygiene or wound care, although it has some very interesting properties for use in cleaning the home.

Hydrogen peroxide, as its other name (oxygenated water) suggests, contains particles of active oxygen which, on coming into contact with a surface, are released, helping to oxidise dirt, disinfect and whiten the area.

Which products should you not mix with hydrogen peroxide?

As it is a chemical compound, you need to be careful, since it can have adverse effects on health, and at home we should use it in low concentrations of between 3% and 9%.

We must also take special care when mixing it with other components such as bleach, vinegar and ammonia, or with any product that contains them, as, otherwise, we may cause toxic chemical reactions that can affect our health or damage surfaces.

Use as a disinfectant in the bathroom or kitchen

Thanks to its antibacterial properties, hydrogen peroxide is a very effective bathroom and kitchen cleaner, as these are the two rooms that tend to accumulate a considerable amount of dirt.

Here are some tips to keep them clean:

• To remove dirt from the toilet and fight off bad smells, spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto the surface and leave it for 30 minutes, then scrub with the toilet brush and rinse.
• To treat mould on tile grout, mix baking powder with hydrogen peroxide, apply the paste to the area, leave it for 20 minutes and then clean it off.
• To clean the fridge, fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and spray it onto the doors, shelves and corners. Then dry with a clean cloth.
• To disinfect chopping boards, wash the board as usual, spray it with hydrogen peroxide, leave it for 10 minutes and then rinse.

How to use it to remove blood and sweat stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is also very effective at removing sweat and blood stains from clothes.

• For sweat stains, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and cold water with a teaspoon of baking powder and apply it to the garment.
• For blood, pour the hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain and allow it to create a foam, then rub it and wash as normal.

Versatile, accessible and effective. Hydrogen peroxide is proof that a single product can be used for many different cleaning and care purposes around the home. Because for good cleaning you do not need lots of different products, but one that really works well.