11 Surprising Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

Removing residue from fruit and vegetables

Produce, such as carrots, lettuce or strawberries, should be rinsed before cooking or eating to remove any residue. Instead of just water, use a hydrogen peroxide and water mixture to rinse off bacteria from fruit and vegetables, the Cleveland Clinic’s website says.

“Add 1/4 cup of peroxide to a large bowl or sink full of water,” the site says. “Soak your fruits and veggies, rinse them well and allow them to dry. This method helps remove germs and pesticides — and may even help your produce last longer.”

Neutralizing odors in the garbage disposal

Too much food buildup or bacteria growing can cause unpleasant smells coming from your garbage disposal. Hydrogen peroxide gets to the root of the problem. It won’t mask the smell but gets rid of it.

Pour hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for five minutes or so, then rinse while having the disposal on, says Silva-Nash. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t need to be diluted with water since you’ll rinse it with running water afterward, he adds. It is literally killing the bacteria causing the issue, he says.

Eliminating pet smells

Dogs and cats may occasionally have an accident on the floor. But if the smell lingers, pets often continue to use the same spot over and over, says Silva-Nash. Using hydrogen peroxide to neutralize the scent prevents pets from repeatedly using the same spot, he says.

"For pet odors, pour it on the area of concern and leave for five minutes,” he says, adding that you should always spot-check first. Hydrogen peroxide should be avoided for some surfaces, he adds. For example, he says, don’t use it on hardwood floors or natural stone because it can “etch or dull the finish.”

Removing carpet stains

Hydrogen peroxide can remove difficult stains, such as blood or red wine, from a carpet. “Pour a small amount directly on the face of the stain and give it some time to bubble up,” says Beske.

Blot with cold water until the stain disappears, says Silva-Nash. “You never want to rub it in,” he adds.

Pro tip: Put some kosher salt on the stain beforehand to keep the fibers from continuing to soak up the liquid or substance, says Silva-Nash. This buys you some time if you don’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand. He adds that you should not use it on a dark carpet because it can bleach the color.

Cleaning a mattress

Mattress covers protect a mattress from sweat, grime and stains. But on occasion, a stain can get past the sheets and onto the mattress. Hydrogen peroxide comes to the rescue when you apply it directly to the stain and let it bubble. Then blot the stain with a cloth to remove it, says Silva-Nash. Just be sure the mattress is dry before you put the cover and sheets back on, he adds.

Whitening grout

If the grout between your bathroom or kitchen tiles is grimy, moldy or has mildew buildup, using hydrogen peroxide will disinfect the area and whiten it too. It neutralizes bacteria, fungi and viruses, says Silva-Nash. And bleach can be too much for some people to handle, he adds.

“[Hydrogen peroxide] is going to [bring]\ new life into grout, especially older grout that’s been kind of dirty for a really long time,” says Beske.

“Apply directly to the grout – not diluted,” says Silva-Nash. “Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe dry or lightly rinse with water.”

Brightening and whitening fabrics

Hydrogen peroxide whitens clothing but without the strong fumes of bleach. For white fabric, whether it’s sheets, mattress covers or white clothing, use this as an alternative to bleach.

“When it’s used on fabric, it’s also going to whiten and brighten your whites, similar to bleach, ” says Beske.

Before adding it to the washing machine or on fabric, Silva-Nash says, “you should always spot-test fabrics” to make sure it won’t bleach. (Avoid it completely for dark fabrics, he adds.)

To use: Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washer or spot-treat the fabric, he says.

Cleaning patio furniture

Outdoor plastic chairs or tables attract mildew and mold, but that’s nothing a little hydrogen peroxide can’t fix, says Beske. Spray the mildew or mold and let it sit for a couple of minutes before wiping, he says. For more stubborn mold and mildew stains, you might need to be more abrasive and scrub them, versus wiping them with a cloth or paper towel, he adds.

Sanitizing toys

When it’s time to disinfect the kids’ or grandkids’ toy collection, hydrogen peroxide does an excellent job. “It’s great to clean off the gunk and grime,” says Beske. He recommends spraying the hydrogen peroxide and water mixture onto a microfiber cloth and spot-treating the toys with it. If it’s a play table, just spray the surface with hydrogen peroxide and wipe it down, he says.