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Hydrogen peroxide is a household disinfectant consists two parts hydrogen and two parts oxygen. The high oxygen supply creates a foaming effect when poured, which shakes loose bacteria and deeply penetrating porous surfaces and contributes to cleaning. When we are poured onto the skin, all of this foam makes us believe that the solution is doing something good for our cuts and bruises too – but it kills both good and bad parts of the skin and can actually prevent a wound from healing.

As we have reported in the pastBetter use soap and water for your scratches and cuts. Hydrogen peroxide should be kept with your detergents, not in your medicine cabinet. Here you can find better uses of hydrogen peroxide that won’t harm your skin.

Disinfectant (but not hand disinfectant)

According to the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), Hydrogen peroxide breaks down fungi and bacteria within five minutes of use, making it a powerful disinfectant – but not for your hands.

Disinfect sponges, toothbrushes and work against COVID-19

Soak your toothbrush three to five minutes in a glass of hydrogen peroxide after use to kill germs or viruses. This cleaning method is especially recommended during times when you may be sick. Disinfect sponges by combining equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide in a shallow bowl. Put the sponge in the bowl to soak for ten minutes, and then rinse it off. You can do this with too undiluted hydrogen peroxide– Only rinse your sponge thoroughly.

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The University of North Carolina (UNC) published one helpful infographic for household items that can be used in your home against the COVID-19 virus. Hydrogen peroxide is listed as a disinfectant for soft materials. When mixed with equal parts water, household hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed on items to kill COVID-19 and other viruses. UNC mentions that leaving the items sitting for 20 minutes before use increases the virus-killing effects.

Illustration for article titled You Have Misused Hydrogen Peroxide

Cleaning mold in the bathroom

The antimicrobial agent works against it Mold growth in your bathroom. Use hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle (straight from the bottle; no dilution required), let sit for 30 minutes, then wipe off. The bacteria will be roasted so you can freely clean the area to remove any stains caused by the mold.

Keeps indoor plants free from fungus and disease

Plants can thrive when sprayed with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Put one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle for each cup of water. Spray your plants with this solution to encourage growth and Protect plants from fungal infections. Healthline suggests Dip your seeds in hydrogen peroxide to increase pregnancy when planting.

Thorough cleaning

Wash vegetables

Add a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide for every gallon of water. Soak your vegetables in the solution for ten minutes, then rinse well. This removes dirt, pesticides and bacteria like E. coli. Hydrogen is a safer alternative to bleaching when it comes to cleaning organic products.

Remove stains from cookware

Pots and pans tend to build up over time, creating black, caked raw material. Cover your pot or pan with a paste consisting of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Let the pan sit for 20-30 minutes, then rinse it out. It may take a bit of scrubbing, but eventually the residue will be removed and your pots will look much closer to new.

Cleaning and brightening grout

Spray mortar with undiluted household hydrogen peroxide. Wait 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub with a coarse sponge – or better yet, with an old toothbrush– to remove dirt and impurities. Repeat this process as many times as needed to get the results you want.

Illustration for article titled You Have Used Hydrogen Peroxide Incorrectly

Body and pet health

Generic Household Hydrogen Peroxide contains 3% of the chemical compound per bottle. This amount of hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for household and body use.

Rinse for oral hygiene

The FDA approved small amounts of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning mouth wounds, which avoids the use of hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic mouthwash. Swish One tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes to relieve canker sores and freshen breath. Do not swallow – although small amounts are not harmful, take large amounts can be poisonous.

Ear wax removal

Hydrogen peroxide acts as a desiccant against Remove ear wax. Just tilt your head and pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with a liquid dropper. Sit down for a few minutes while the solution foams in your ear. Then, take a napkin, tilt your head the other way, and wipe off whatever comes out. Make sure that all of the fluid is removed from the ear.

Poison control for your dog

The American Veterinary Medical Association conducted a study Regarding the effectiveness of inducing vomiting in dogs using hydrogen peroxide, it was found that 48% of funds ingested were recovered when dogs were given the chemical to expel. If your dog has eaten something dangerous, call your veterinarian right away. However, if it’s an emergency, he may recommend that you use hydrogen peroxide to make the dog vomit whatever it shouldn’t have been eating.