Is Hydrogen Peroxide Good For Gardens

I like to write about a variety of topics. I particularly enjoy sharing life hacks.

What Can Hydrogen Peroxide Be Used for?

Most people know that dihydrogen dioxide—referred to by its common name hydrogen peroxide—is a common and useful antiseptic for cuts and scrapes. While it works great for getting rid of bacteria, the magical chemical has many other uses that most people probably have not heard of. Many of these extra uses can probably help you save money.

1. Bleach for Clothes

Although you can buy bleach from many retail stores, hydrogen peroxide is a cheap alternative that works just as well. Just soak the clothes in a diluted solution, or for small stains, just dab a small amount on the clothing item and let it sit for a minute or two.

2. Household Cleaner

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect household surfaces and works just as well as, if not better than, most name-brand cleaners.

Note: If you want to use a spray bottle, either fill up the bottle right before use or use a darkened spray bottle because the hydrogen peroxide will change to water and oxygen when exposed to sunlight (that's why it comes in dark plastic containers at your local pharmacy).

3. Rid Feet of Odor

Soak your feet in a tub with water and H2O2 for 10–15 minutes to get rid of foot odor! This also works with alcohol and vinegar.

4. Clean Vegetables for Cooking

Spray your vegetables with a 3–6% solution and let them sit for about 3 minutes. Rinse them off with water and get cooking!

5. Whiten Your Teeth

This is actually fairly well known—rinsing for about 60 seconds with hydrogen peroxide is effective at disinfecting your mouth and whitening your teeth. No more expensive whitening strips or laser treatments!

Check out what the American Dental Association has to say about using hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.

6. Toothpaste

Mix 3% solution with baking soda until the mixture becomes a paste. Viola—cheap, simple toothpaste. As stated above, this is an effective whitener for your teeth as well.

7. Dish Cleaning

Soak a sponge in a peroxide solution and start scrubbing—the dishes will be disinfected, clean, and clear of harsh chemicals found in many dish soaps.

8. Relieve Toothaches

Rinsing with peroxide every night for a week will get rid of any bacteria, viruses, and infections that may be causing toothaches.

9. Fight Foot Fungus

Just as peroxide can be used to get rid of foot odor, foot fungus is just as susceptible. Just soak your feet every night for 10–15 minutes before bed.

10. Glass Cleaner

Using peroxide to clean your windows and mirrors won't leave any streaks and is just as effective as brand-name glass cleaners.

11. Plant Fertilizer

Spray on the plants or in the soil to help fertilize the plants. It works by oxidizing the roots and leaves as well as the nutrients in the soil.

Explanation of Hydrogen Peroxide Uses

12. Clean Kitchen Sponges

Sponges in the kitchen are often very dirty, smelly, and full of bacteria. Soak your sponges in a hydrogen peroxide solution to clean them and make them last much longer.

13. Clean Toilet Bowls

Spray or pour peroxide into the toilet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub clean. This will whiten the toilet as well as disinfect it and clean off any grime.

14. Disinfect Kids' Toys

Hydrogen peroxide is much safer to use around babies and kids—use it to disinfect their toys and play areas to keep them and yourself healthy and virus free.

15. Clean Tile Grout

Tile grout often turns brown from the collection of dirt. Spray or pour some peroxide on the grout and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it off to reveal whitened and cleaned tile grout.

16. Acne-Fighting Face Wash

Instead of using expensive, harsh face cleansers, soak a cloth in peroxide and massage your face with it. Your skin will thank you for it.

17. Aftershave

Just like how it can fight acne, hydrogen peroxide can be used as an aftershave to clean your skin and leave it soft and healthy.

Have More Ideas?

Comment if you know of any other uses for hydrogen peroxide. They could be added to the list!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

stephanie on June 27, 2014:

I've been fighting acne for more then seventeen years, I've used topical cream , antibiotics. Went for microdermabrasion, red light threrpy, you name it I did it,but peroxide seems to clam my skin. My break outs are not as bad and I've only used it for a week. Who new that all the doctor with their expensive treatments , all we need is a natural cheap product not crazy costly stuff advertised on TV .

Thank you

PG on August 05, 2013:

Good article, but I would only use 3% FOOD GRADE Hydrogen Peroxide instead of the stuff in the brown bottle. Food Grade is more expensive, but it does not have toxins and stabilizers in it. Just FYI...

Tiffany Delite from Wichita, KS on November 04, 2012:

thank you so much for this article! i have always kept hydrogen peroxide around the house for treating minor cuts and scrapes, but i didn't realize how many other uses that it had! blessings!