Now that my son finds entertainment in doing the complete opposite of what he knows he shouldn't, I have resorted to moving anything that is dangerous (those "lovely" locks that we bought at Babies R Us just aren't cutting it anymore) out of his reach. And now I'm trying to go one step further and partly eliminate some of those "thousands" of cleaning products.
While doing my research into safe and effective cleaning products, I learned that one of my favorite stain removing and wound cleansing products is capable of doing much much more! Now I have a bottle in many rooms of my house! Hydrogen Peroxide is a miracle cleaner and cleanser that is completely safe. Safe enough to use around children! And that's perfect for our house!!
If you are like I was and only think that hydrogen peroxide is good for cleaning cuts, then read on to see my list of some of the best uses for this magic product!
*Homemade toothpaste Combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. I still prefer using store bought toothpaste but this works just as well.
*Mouth Rinse Swish in mouth for a minute to remove bacteria and eliminate bad breath. Works better than mouthwash for getting rid of bad breath!
*Clean your Toothbrush Remove bacteria from your toothbrush by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide in between brushings. Remember this next time you have a cold!
*Dissolve Ear Wax Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best products to use for removing build up ear wax. Add a few drops to ear, while head is tilted to the side. Let sit for a few minutes (you will hear the fizzing). Then clean ear.
*Acne Reducer To speed up the disappearance of pimples or reduce the appearance of acne, soak a cotton ball in some peroxide and dab affected area to help clear skin.
*Naturally Highlight Your Hair Add peroxide to dampened hair and head out into the sunshine. Peroxide is a natural hair lightener, so adding some to your tresses will add subtle highlights.
*Remove Blood Stains from Fabric Whether it's a fresh blood stain or dried, pour a small amount onto the stain and let soak. Scrub lightly and then wash fabric. I used this constantly to remove blood stains from my scrubs while working in the hospital.
*Freshen Laundry Remove that musty odor that lingers in your towels and sheets. Add 1 cup of peroxide and 1 cup of vinegar to a bucket and soak towels for 30 minutes. Remove and wash as normal. Add a scented dryer sheet while drying if you prefer a scent to no scent at all.
*Brighten Whites Add a cup or so of peroxide to the washing machine to boost the brightness of your whites load.
*Shower Cleaner Add peroxide to a spray bottle and spray down the shower after every use. This sanitizes the shower while preventing soap scum and mildew from forming. And it's safe!
*Remove Stains from Baking Pans Combine peroxide and baking soda until it forms a paste. Rub paste onto stain and let sit for an hour. Then scrub lightly with a Brillo pad and warm water. The stain should come off pretty easy.
*Clean and Disinfect Child Toys and Play Areas Place peroxide in a spray bottle and spray down play areas. Also soak a cloth in peroxide and wipe down toys to eliminate germs. This is even safe to wipe down baby toys and rattles!
*Clean your Refrigerator and Food Preparing Surfaces Use peroxide to wipe down areas that come in contact with food. Perfect for cleaning the fridge or cutting boards! To clean a cutting board, apply to surface and let sit. Then wash as usual.
*Clean your sponges Your sponges are one of the most common places for bacteria to grow. Every so often, soak your sponges in half warm water, half peroxide. This kills all the germs that are hiding within the sponge.
*Wash off Fruits and Veggies Combine a little peroxide and cold water. Wash off fruit or veggies in the mixture. Rinse thoroughly in cold water.
There are many more uses for this magic product I'm sure. Feel free to add a comment if there is something that you love to use Hydrogen Peroxide for. :)
