Is hydrogen peroxide a key player in your household cleaning routine?

It could be! While hydrogen peroxide is commonly used for cleaning cuts and scrapes, it’s an affordable, multipurpose product that can also help with everything from removing tough stains to disinfecting toothbrushes. Read on for 9 additional ways hydrogen peroxide can be put to work in your home.

1. Stain Remover

Stubborn stains are no match for hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide will take blood stains out of any fabric except silk & satin.

2. Bleach Alternative

An effective bleach alternative, hydrogen peroxide is great for brightening laundry.  Fill laundry, add detergent, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 30 minutes then run through the cycle.

3. General Disinfectant

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent general disinfectant.  Use it in a spray bottle for cleaning counters and tiles in the kitchen and bathroom.  It can also be used to wipe down door knobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, etc.  Use it on everything from kids’ toys to cloth diapers.

4. Odor Eliminator

Hydrogen peroxide has been known to help neutralize bad smells in homes, especially pet odors.  A solution of  hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and water will kill the smell if your pet has sprayed your carpets or walls right away.

5. Hair Lightener

Looking to achieve summery highlights without toasting in the sun for hours on end? As a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can do the work for you!

6. Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

Remove pesticide residue and bacteria like E. coli from fresh produce with a combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.   Place 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and full strength plain white or apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Use a little bit of each one to clean your produce and then rinse with water.

7. Ear Wax Dissolver

Ears plugged up with wax? A drop or two of hydrogen peroxide could loosen things up.  A pediatrician suggested to use a very small drop of hydrogen peroxide on a child that had a lot of ear wax build up and the parents reported it seemed to work for their baby.

8. Toothbrush Sterilizer

Hydrogen peroxide can help you keep nasty germs from taking over toothbrush bristles.   Soak  toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes to kill bacteria or you may spray toothbrushes after each use to acheive a similar effect.

9. Tooth Whitener

Want a pearly white smile without buying expensive teeth whitening products? Many moms use hydrogen peroxide to whiten their teeth. Use a cap full and hold in your mouth and swish for up to 5 minutes.