Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide in Chemistry and Everyday Applications

Hydrogen peroxide (H202) is nothing but a water molecule (H2O) with an extra oxygen atom. Hydrogen peroxide is used as a mild antiseptic for preventing infections on minor cuts, burns, etc. Minor mouth irritations and mucus removal are some oral applications of hydrogens peroxide. It works by releasing oxygen to the affected area. The oxygen released causes foaming, which cleans the area and removes dead skin cells.

At mild levels of concentration, hydrogen peroxide is used in products related to laundry, skincare and pet treatment purposes too. As the higher concentrations of this chemical might become harmful for pets or clothes etc. Hence it must be used in proper and safe proportions diluted in water.

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Hydrogen Peroxide Uses

Hydrogen peroxide is mostly taken in the application of the bleaching of cloths of cotton fabric with sodium chlorite and sodium hypochlorite as alternatives. Synthetic fibres are bleached with an agent that either oxidizes or reduces as per their chemical properties. 

Here are Some Common Hydrogen Peroxide Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide Solution:

In the kitchen

• Cleaning of the Dishwasher: In order to eliminate moulds, the intricate parts of dishwashers are sprinkled with hydrogen peroxide especially on those areas where water could linger long after each usage of the dishwasher. Eg: the rubber gasket grooves, traps, utensil basket, etc.

• Scrubbing the Sink: Hydrogen peroxide is effective in cleaning the kitchen sink easily. A 3 percent strength of the solution is used after scrubbing the whole surface with baking soda. After giving it some time to settle on the surface, it is rinsed.

• Scouring Cookware: Sprinkling baking soda on the blackened surfaces of cooking utensils such as pots, pans, etc. and spritzing them with a 3 percent strength solution of hydrogen peroxide is helpful in restoring them.

• Get Rid of Garbage Can Germs: Garbage tanks are sprinkled with 1:1 concentrated form of hydrogen peroxide and then sun-dried for 3-4 hours in order to get rid of bad smells and germs from the tank.

In the Bathroom

• Deep Cleaning of Toilet: Microbes including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores can be easily removed from the toilet seats using hydrogen peroxide.

• Killing Mould and Mildew: Mold and mildew can build up quickly in moist environments. Their growth can be prevented using hydrogen peroxide.

• Whitening Old Porcelain: Porcelain pedestal sinks are also cleaned the same way as the kitchen sinks. Hydrogen peroxide helps in whitening the yellowed porcelain sink pedestals.

• Foaming Away Soap Scum: Foaming paste is prepared using baking soda, white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. After applying this mixture, the surfaces of bathing tubs and basins are scrubbed and left for a few minutes and then rinsed.

In the Laundry Room

• Removing Fabric Stains: Hydrogen peroxide is effective in cleaning stains of blood, grass, food or drinks like fruit juices and wines etc.

• Brightening Dingy Whites: Dull white clothes can be brightened using hydrogen peroxide dissolved in the proper amount in water. Excess use of hydrogen peroxide, however, should be avoided for vintage clothes as it may weaken the fabric.

In the Garden

• Sprouting Healthy Seeds: Studies prove that soaking seeds in 1 to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide helps in faster fermentation by softening the seed coat.

• Clear Algae From Your Pond Water: Harmful algae are removed from water features and koi ponds by treating them with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.

• Treating Plants with Fungal Infections: Powdery moulds or other fungal infections of plants can be removed by spraying the plants with a hydrogen peroxide solution.

For Pets

Most veterinarians nowadays don't suggest using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the pet’s wounds, even if it is too small. Still, it is useful in several other treatments for pets.

Some of them are discussed below:

• Induce Vomiting for Poisoned Dogs: If a pet especially a dog or a cat) eats something poisonous, hydrogen peroxide is used to make the pet vomit. This method, however, is critical as ingestion of hydrogen peroxide is not completely safe for pets. Hence, it must be performed only after consulting a veterinarian or under his/her supervision.

• Clean Out the Litter Box: The litter boxes of pet cats must be cleaned regularly to avoid bad odours and smells. For this, the box must be emptied first, then washed with hot water and soap, sprayed thoroughly with 1:1 concentrated hydrogen peroxide, rinsed after 15 minutes, dried and finally replaced.

Hydrogen Peroxide Uses for Skin

The National Capital Poison Center says that over-the-counter (OTC) products with hydrogen peroxide should contain “safe” concentrations (not more than 3 per cent) of hydrogen peroxide. Still, there are some industrial versions of such products that may contain up to 90 per cent.

A doctor may use small doses of hydrogen peroxide to treat instances of oxidative stress in a patient's skin. Despite this, it is widely not regarded as a safe product for alternative skincare.

Side Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for humans at low doses. If you get it into one’s eyes, it could cause burning or abrasion of the cornea.

Hydrogen peroxide has vast applications in disinfecting tools, bleaching hair, and cleaning surfaces. It is also useful in oral care and gardening. It may be surprising to know that a touted skin treatment solution could also work as a household cleaner. The reason is the presence of excess amounts of hydrogen peroxides in them.

Conclusion

Hydrogen peroxide has a wide range of applications in household cleaning, disinfecting, gardening and treatment purposes. The concentration differs for each application, however. It may be used in quantities of around ⅓1/3 of a cup per gallon of water for fish container water and also may be used at full strength for treating the bad odour of garbage tanks and pet cat’s litter boxes.