Surprising Ways To Use Hydrogen Peroxide In Your Home

You can find hydrogen peroxide in most medicine cabinets, but have you ever considered how else it might be utilized around the house? While it’s most commonly been dabbed on as an antiseptic for mild cuts or mouth sores, Healthline notes that medical professionals do not recommend using hydrogen peroxide on wounds any longer because it can slow down the healing process. But rather than trashing your little brown bottle of peroxide, consider its other uses. You’d be surprised where else it can come in handy.

Hydrogen peroxide has a similar chemical makeup to water (H2O), with one extra oxygen molecule (H2O2). In this chemical, two hydrogens are combined with two oxygen molecules. This slight difference makes it an effective oxidizer, which helps break down materials when cleaning. At the same time, its powerful oxidizing properties also give it a shorter shelf life as it’s sensitive to light and other factors. So be sure to replace your opened bottle every six months (via Real Simple). Wear cleaning gloves when working with hydrogen peroxide to avoid irritating your skin, and you should never mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar as a cleaning solution. Though they’re terrific when used separately, the combo creates harmful fumes and form into corrosive acid (via Good Housekeeping). Instead, try out these other ways to use hydrogen peroxide safely around the house.