Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is usually used as a bleaching or cleaning agent.

The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H₂O₂.

Uses

• Clean your counters and tableops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh clean smell.
• After rinsing of your cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonela and other bacteria
• clean mirrors-doesn't streak
• Use to wash vegetables to kill bacteria and neutralize chemicals
• Disinfect your dishwasher/refrigerator
• If you have had water damage, use peroxide to clean because it gets rid of molds
• Toilet bowl cleaner-pour 1/2 cup peroxide into toilet and let it sit for 20 minutes-scrub clean
• Disinfect scrub brushes
• Clean out aquariums
• Sanitize toothbrushes and dentures
• Clean swimming pools and spas-alternative to chlorine
• Diluted in water, a small amount is good for houseplants

It's a mild antibiotic and can be used to clean minor cuts. (It stings. For more severe infections or cuts, see your doctor.)

Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach. It can help get rid of stains on clothes and porcelain, but may also bleach out color. In small amounts it can be used to lighten or brighten hair color.

Cautions

Some of the health claims for hydrogen peroxide are probably bogus. It can damage tissue if used at too high a concentration or too frequently. It may be irritating to mucus membranes. And the internal (ingested or intravenous) use, that some suggest, has been tied to a few deaths. ,

Related

• rubbing alcohol
• baking soda
• vinegar
• cotton balls

External links

• Snopes.com on the rumor/truth status of various claims for hydrogen peroxide
• The Many Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide by Dr. David G. Williams
• Wikipedia's article on hydrogen peroxide

• HowStuffWorks on Why does hydrogen peroxide foam when you put it on a cut?

<references>