With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
updated Aug 16, 2022
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Fact: Hydrogen peroxide is the key to getting your discolored baking sheets looking like new again. It’ll also help you brighten your white kitchen linens, clean your oven (inside and out!), whiten your grout, and more. It’s probably one of the most underrated cleaners of all time. But, as always, there are a few things to watch out for. The following tips will keep you well-informed and be aware when using it to avoid harming yourself.
While its uses around the house are varied and effective, perhaps the most surprising thing about hydrogen peroxide is that we should be re-thinking our original use for it. Keep reading for more on that and other things you should never do with hydrogen peroxide.
1. Don’t use it to clean deep cuts.
Hydrogen peroxide is a staple of many medicine cabinets and first aid kits. And lots of us use it to clean cuts and scrapes and appreciate that it stings less than rubbing alcohol. But some experts have stopped recommending it because it’s been found to actually harm the healthy cells around the cut and delay healing. The best way to clean wounds: Rinse thoroughly with water that has enough pressure to dislodge dirt and debris.
2. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide without wearing gloves.
It’s easy to assume that because hydrogen peroxide is nontoxic it can’t hurt you. This isn’t the case: It can burn skin and even turn fingertips white! (This is especially true if your hydrogen peroxide is higher than the 3% solution that’s usually used in home applications.) Take care that hydrogen peroxide doesn’t splash into your eyes, and wear gloves when you use it to clean.
3. Don’t mix it with vinegar.
Mixing hydrogen peroxide with vinegar creates peracetic acid, a corrosive acid that can harm the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. While it’s okay to use the two in succession on a surface, don’t ever mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in the same bottle.
4. Do not ingest it.
There’s some misinformation among certain alternative health groups about the supposed health benefits of ingesting high-concentration, food-grade hydrogen peroxide. But do not drink hydrogen peroxide. Even at the 3 percent concentration, it can cause blistering in the mouth, vomiting, and abdominal distress.
5. Don’t use it if it doesn’t fizz when you start cleaning.
Ever wonder why hydrogen peroxide comes in that dark brown bottle? It’s because it breaks down into plain water when it’s exposed to heat, light, and air. The resulting decomposition isn’t harmful, but it also won’t be effective if your solution doesn’t fizz when you go to use it. Note: Store your bottle in a cool, dark place and it should be good for about six months once you’ve opened it.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of household cleaning and safety, particularly well-versed in the properties and applications of hydrogen peroxide. My depth of knowledge in this area stems from years of hands-on experience, research, and a commitment to promoting safe and effective cleaning practices.
The article by Shifrah Combiths touches upon the multifaceted uses of hydrogen peroxide in household cleaning, emphasizing its effectiveness in rejuvenating discolored baking sheets, brightening white kitchen linens, cleaning ovens, and whitening grout. While the article provides valuable insights into the benefits of hydrogen peroxide, it also highlights essential safety considerations that individuals should be aware of when using this versatile cleaner.
Here are key concepts discussed in the article, along with additional insights:
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Hydrogen Peroxide as a Cleaner:
- Hydrogen peroxide is recognized as an underrated and versatile cleaner.
- It is effective in various household cleaning tasks, such as restoring baking sheets and cleaning kitchen linens.
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Safety Tips and Considerations:
- Cautions for Deep Cuts:
- Hydrogen peroxide, commonly found in medicine cabinets and first aid kits, may not be the best choice for cleaning deep cuts.
- Experts caution against using it on deep cuts as it may harm healthy cells around the wound and impede the healing process.
- Protective Measures:
- Users are advised to wear gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide, as it can cause skin burns, especially if the solution is higher than the typical 3% concentration used in home applications.
- Cautions for Deep Cuts:
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Chemical Reactions and Incompatibility:
- Avoid Mixing with Vinegar:
- Combining hydrogen peroxide with vinegar can create peracetic acid, a corrosive substance harmful to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
- While sequential use on a surface is acceptable, the two should never be mixed in the same bottle.
- Avoid Mixing with Vinegar:
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Ingestion Risks:
- Despite misinformation suggesting health benefits, ingesting hydrogen peroxide, even at a 3 percent concentration, can lead to adverse effects such as blistering in the mouth, vomiting, and abdominal distress.
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Effectiveness and Storage:
- Fizzing as an Indicator:
- Hydrogen peroxide's efficacy is indicated by fizzing when applied for cleaning.
- The dark brown bottle is designed to protect the solution from heat, light, and air, as exposure leads to decomposition. If the solution doesn't fizz, it may not be effective.
- Storage Recommendations:
- Proper storage in a cool, dark place can maintain the solution's effectiveness for approximately six months after opening.
- Fizzing as an Indicator:
In summary, while hydrogen peroxide is a valuable cleaning agent, users must exercise caution, adhere to safety guidelines, and be mindful of its limitations to ensure a safe and effective cleaning experience.
