Hydrogen peroxide as cleaner isn't as commonly used as baking soda or vinegar as a natural cleaning option, but hydrogen peroxide can clean several items in your home.  Learn more about using hydrogen peroxide to clean and how to clean with hydrogen peroxide.

Using hydrogen peroxide to clean is a safe and effective way to clean many surfaces in your home.  It's inexpensive and easy to find at most big box stores, making it a great natural cleaner to have in your cupboard.

Uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning are for the bathroom, kitchen, and so much more.  Using hydrogen peroxide to clean kills germs on hard surfaces, making it a wonderful natural disinfectant.

However, there are some precautions to use when using hydrogen peroxide as cleaner.  Although it's a natural cleaner, it should be used with caution because it can irritate your skin.  It can also lighten fabrics, so be mindful when learning how to clean with hydrogen peroxide.

How to Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is made up of hydrogen and oxygen.  Specifically, it’s chemical structure is H2O2.  

It bubbles when it comes into contact with catalase.   Catalase is an enzyme that’s found in the cell walls of people (except on the surface of your skin) and other animals, and it’s also found in bacteria.  

Because it breaks down catalase, it can kill bacteria and other germs and act as a disinfectant.  Uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning are for its germ killing action and not for removing oils or dirt.

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Your House?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning some surfaces.  You can use it diluted with water to clean hard surfaces in your home.  Other uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning can be used undiluted.

How Do You Use Hydrogen Peroxide as a Disinfectant Cleaner?

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural antimicrobial cleaner.  It can kill bacteria and viruses better than rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.

Hydrogen peroxide is a good natural disinfectant because it destroys the cell walls of bacteria and other germs.  It can also kill fungi and mold, too.

To use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant cleaner, use a bottle of 3 percent solution (found in most stores) undiluted and spray on hard surfaces.  Let bubbles form and then subsite and wipe clean or let dry.

I like this set of glass spray bottles because it has 4 different sizes.  It also comes with labels.

How Long Does it Take for Hydrogen Peroxide to Disinfect?

Hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria and viruses in 1 minute.  For fungus and mycobacteria, let it sit for 5 minutes.  

Do You Need to Rinse Off Hydrogen Peroxide?

No, you don’t need to rinse it off after using it to disinfect.  However, you can rinse it off if you want to.  Uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning vary, and you'll want to rinse some things like fabrics and children's toys.

Cleaning With Hydrogen Peroxide Special Considerations

Hydrogen peroxide has a fairly short shelf life, so it will only last about 6 months after you open the bottle.  If it doesn’t fizz, it’s past its cleaning prime.

Always wear cleaning gloves when using hydrogen peroxide, especially undiluted.  It can burn your skin.  

Be careful not to get hydrogen peroxide in your eyes.

Don’t mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar because it creates an acid that can irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin.

For more ways to clean your home naturally, check out these 15 liquid castile soap uses,  cleaning with baking soda, and how to clean with vinegar.

How to Clean Your Bathroom With Hydrogen Peroxide

Toothbrushes and Loofahs

You can use hydrogen peroxide as cleaner for your bathroom.  It's a great natural way to clean toothbrushes, bath puffs, and loofahs.  

Simply use a small cup with about two inches of peroxide.  Then let the bristle end of the toothbrush sit in the peroxide for five minutes to disinfect it.

For bath puffs or loofahs, spray hydrogen peroxide on them.  Let them sit for at least five minutes before rinsing.

Cleaning Beauty Items

Similarly, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your makeup and beauty items.  Your makeup brushes, sponges, and beauty blenders can harbor bacteria.  

Wash them with face soap or hand soap (I use my DIY hand soap with castile soap) and then spray with peroxide.  Let sit for five minutes and rinse well.

Learn how to make a DIY makeup brush cleaning board.  I also use this makeup brush cleaning solution recipe for monthly use and this DIY makeup brush cleaner spray for daily use

How to Clean Your Shower or Bathtub With Hydrogen Peroxide

Learn how to clean with hydrogen peroxide to keep your shower or bathtub clean.  Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your shower or bathtub to get rid of mildew or mold.  Spray and let sit for five minutes.  You do not need to rinse.

Cleaning Grout

If your bathroom or kitchen tile isn't white anymore, use hydrogen peroxide to clean it.  Use a toothbrush or other small brush to scrub your tile.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean in the Laundry Room

Laundry 

There are several uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning in the laundry room.  Use hydrogen peroxide as cleaner to whiten your white clothes.  Simply add 1 cup of peroxide to your washer while it's filling up.  

Hydrogen peroxide can lighten some darker colors, so use caution.  You can also dilute it in water and add it to prevent spots.

Sweat Stains

Remove sweat stains from white or light colored clothes.  Mix baking soda, water, and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts to make a thin paste.  Then use a soft brush to scrub the stain.

Let sit for 30 minutes and scrub again.  Then wash.

You can also make a hydrogen peroxide stain remover spray recipe.

Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Washing Machine

Your washing machine can get dirty when dirt, oil, and detergent builds up.  It can also grow mold or mildew due to the damp environment.  

Add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to your empty washing machine.  Then run a quick cycle with the hottest water than you can.

Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your washer once a month.

 

Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean in the Kitchen

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Uses for hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the kitchen are numerous. Clean fresh veggies and fruits naturally.  Fill your sink with cold water.  Then add 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and wash your food.  Rinse well.

Dishes  

For baked on food, sprinkle baking soda on the dish.  Then spray with hydrogen peroxide to clean the dish.  You may need to scrub or let this soak for a few minutes.

You can also use this to whiten your dishes if they are stained from use  or well water.

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards can harbor bacteria and germs from food, especially from meat.  Using hydrogen peroxide to clean your cutting boards is easy.  Simply spray and let dry.  There's no need to rinse.

Kitchen Sponges

Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your kitchen sponges.  Dip the sponges into a bowl that is half peroxide and half water.  Soak for 5 minutes and then rinse.

Refrigerator

If you need to disinfect your fridge, use hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect.  Wipe clean and rinse.

Other Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning

Reusable Shopping Bags

Our reusable shopping bags can get germs from being in carts, in stores, and in the car.  Spray them inside and out with hydrogen peroxide.

Humidifiers

Clean your humidifier or diffuser by running half water and half peroxide through them once a month.  

Mattresses

Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your mattress.  It can kill dust mites and bacteria and other germs.  Spray with peroxide and let dry completely before making your bed.

Children's Toys

Bacteria, viruses, and other germs can live on children's toys.  Use hydrogen peroxide as cleaner to naturally disinfect.  Spray and let air dry before letting your kids play with them again.

Note that peroxide can discolor darker fabrics, so be careful spraying toys with cloth.

Cleaning Supplies

Your cleaning supplies can get really dirty.  Use hydrogen peroxide as cleaner to disinfect and kill germs.  You can spray them and let them sit for 5 minutes.  There's no need to rinse after using hydrogen peroxide to clean.

Gardening Tools

Bacteria and fungi can live in your soil.  Your garden tools can then transfer the bacteria and fungus to other plants.  Spray your garden tools with peroxide after each use.

For more natural cleaning recipes, check out these posts:

• How to Make Glass Cleaner With Vinegar, Cornstarch
• Drawer Deodorizer DIY
• Fabric and Linen Spray Recipe
• DIY Dusting Spray With Essential Oils
• Disinfectant Spray Recipe
• Natural All Purpose Cleaner Recipe
• How to Use Fels Naptha Soap

Now you know how to clean with hydrogen peroxide!

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