Hydrogen peroxide is one of those inexpensive household staples that often sits in the bathroom cabinet and gets pulled out only for first aid. But the familiar brown bottle can also be useful for several cleaning and gardening tasks.
The key is using it in the right place and at the right concentration. Standard 3% hydrogen peroxide is the type commonly sold for household use. It can help with certain stains, surfaces, and gardening tools, but it should never be mixed with bleach, vinegar, or other cleaning products.
If you’ve only been using hydrogen peroxide for cuts and scrapes, here are 14 other ways you can put it to work around the house.
Disinfect a Cutting Board
Hydrogen peroxide can be useful for cleaning certain cutting boards, particularly after preparing foods that leave behind bacteria. Start by washing the board with hot, soapy water to remove food residue.
Once the surface is clean, you can apply 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit briefly before rinsing with clean water. Always follow the care instructions for your particular cutting board.
Related: How to Clean a Wood Cutting Board
Remove Certain Stains
Hydrogen peroxide can help with some organic stains, including blood and certain food stains. Since it can bleach or discolor some fabrics and surfaces, test it on a hidden area before treating the stain.
Apply a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the affected area, let it sit briefly, then blot or rinse according to the material’s care instructions. For clothing, follow the manufacturer’s washing directions.
Help With Root Problems in Houseplants
Some gardeners use diluted hydrogen peroxide around plants when dealing with overly wet, poorly drained soil. The extra oxygen released as peroxide breaks down is one reason the method is sometimes recommended.
Still, hydrogen peroxide isn’t a routine plant treatment. Too much can damage roots and beneficial organisms in the soil. If a plant has root rot, correcting the watering schedule, improving drainage, and removing damaged roots are usually more useful steps.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables Properly
Fresh produce should be washed under clean running water before eating or preparing it. Hydrogen peroxide isn’t needed for routine produce washing, and using household peroxide doesn’t make fruits and vegetables safer than washing them properly with water.
For leafy greens, berries, vegetables, and other produce, rinse them thoroughly and remove any visible dirt. Keep raw produce separate from raw meat and poultry during food preparation.
Clean Tile Grout
Dirty grout can make an otherwise clean bathroom or kitchen look dingy. Hydrogen peroxide can help lift some stains and discoloration from light-colored grout.
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the affected grout, allow it to sit briefly, then scrub with an old toothbrush or grout brush. Rinse the area afterward and check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your tile and grout before using peroxide.
Deal With Small Areas of Mold
Hydrogen peroxide can help clean small areas of mold on some hard, nonporous surfaces. Spray 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the affected area, let it sit for several minutes, then scrub and wipe the surface clean.
Wear gloves and provide good ventilation while cleaning. Large areas of mold, recurring mold, or mold caused by a moisture problem may require professional help. Cleaning the visible growth without fixing the source of the moisture won’t solve the problem.
Freshen Your Toilet Bowl
For routine toilet cleaning, a bathroom cleaner made for the job is usually the easiest option. If you already have 3% hydrogen peroxide, it can also be used as an occasional cleaner for the toilet bowl.
Apply it to the bowl, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Never combine hydrogen peroxide with bleach or other toilet cleaners.
Control Weeds
Hydrogen peroxide can damage plant tissue, which is why some gardeners use it on unwanted weeds. It isn’t a selective weed killer, though, so spray carefully and keep it away from plants you want to keep.
For a larger weed problem, physical removal, mulch, or another gardening method may be a better choice.
Related: 12 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden
Help Seeds Get a Better Start
Some gardeners soak seeds in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution before planting. The idea is to clean the seed surface and provide extra oxygen during the early stages of germination.
Results can vary by plant and seed type, so don’t assume every seed will benefit from peroxide. If you try it, use a properly diluted solution rather than applying undiluted household peroxide directly to the seeds.
Clean Used Plant Pots
Old plant pots can carry soil residue, algae, fungi, and other contaminants from previous plants. Wash the pots with soap and water first to remove dirt.
After rinsing, 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used as an additional cleaning step on suitable plastic or other nonporous pots. Rinse the pots well and allow them to dry before adding fresh potting mix.
Clean Garden Tools
Garden shears, pruners, trowels, and other tools can pick up plant residue and potentially spread plant diseases from one plant to another.
Wash visible dirt from the tools first, then wipe or spray them with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Allow the solution to sit briefly before rinsing or wiping the tool, depending on the manufacturer’s care instructions. Dry metal tools afterward to reduce the chance of rust.
Related: Protect Your Tomatoes From 15 Pests That Can Wreak Havoc on Your Crop
Clean Certain Household Surfaces
Hydrogen peroxide can be useful on some hard, nonporous household surfaces. It can help clean areas such as bathroom counters, sinks, and other washable surfaces, provided the material can safely handle it.
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the surface, allow it to sit for the amount of time recommended for the cleaning purpose, then wipe it away. Test an inconspicuous area first, especially on colored or delicate materials.
Freshen a Smelly Sink or Drain
A sink drain can collect food residue and develop an unpleasant odor. Before reaching for hydrogen peroxide, clean away any visible debris and flush the drain with plenty of water.
A small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide may help with odors caused by organic residue, but it shouldn’t be mixed with commercial drain cleaners or other chemicals. If the drain keeps smelling bad, cleaning the drain trap and finding the source of the buildup is a better fix.
Clean a Humidifier
Humidifiers can develop mineral deposits and microbial buildup if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Some manufacturers recommend hydrogen peroxide as part of the cleaning process, while others call for different products.
Check your humidifier’s manual before using peroxide. If the manufacturer permits it, use the recommended amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide, rinse the reservoir thoroughly, and allow all parts to dry before putting the appliance back together.
Hydrogen peroxide is handy, but it isn’t a universal cleaner. Stick with 3% household peroxide for ordinary home use, read the care instructions for the item you’re cleaning, and never mix it with bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaning chemicals. A little caution goes a long way with this simple household staple.
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