Hydrogen Peroxide

With two kids in the house, and with all the warnings of what is or isn't safe, I try to use healthy, nontoxic products to clean my home.  The low cost of these easy use products is just icing on the cake as I journey further into the frugal world of living.  Below is a list of uses for hydrogen peroxide.  Please keep in mind to only use the 3% solution unless otherwise suggested.

In the Home & Kitchen

1. Hydrogen Peroxide is a natural bleach.  Use it to bring your whites back to life.  
2. Also use it to remove stains.  Most of the new oxygen infused detergents contain hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).  Just remember it is a natural bleach so watch closely when using it on dark colors.   
3. Vinegar is a great bacterial killer.  What it misses, use hydrogen peroxide as a back up. This is perfect to use on cutting boards and kitchen counters.  
4. Hydrogen peroxide kills mold and fungi as well.  Spray it on, let it sit, then clean off.  BUT if you put hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, please make sure it is a dark, solid colored bottle.  Light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, which is why it is sold in dark brown bottles.
5. Keep your plants healthy by mixing 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 4 cups of water.  Water your plants as usual.  It adds some oxygen to your plant and helps keep root rot away.
6. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide into your toilet bowl and let sit 20 minutes.  Then, scrub clean.  You can do this with vinegar as well.
7. Clean your fruits and vegetables with hydrogen peroxide.

Personal Use

1. Using ear swabs to clean children's ears can be a bit tricky.  Make it fun!  Pour half a cap full into their ear and let it tickle away the wax.  Let it bubble and do its magic for about 5 minutes, then have them turn over to let it drain out.  
2. Once in a while (some say every day, I think every week is safer) swish 1/2 peroxide with 1/2 water and spit out.  This whitens your teeth, kills bacteria, and cures any mouth sores.  Please do not swallow.
3. Toothpaste can be made from 2 Tbsp of baking soda and 1 Tbsp of hydrogen peroxide.  It gives an extra whitening boost to the baking soda.
4. Give yourself subtle natural highlights with 6% hydrogen peroxide.  Mix 50/50 with water and spray on wet hair, comb through, and let it dry.    
5. Despite many suggesting to use hydrogen peroxide on cuts, it has now been found that hydrogen peroxide kills healthy cells and slows the healing process.  Instead, wash with soap and water.  If it is a small cut, dab with rubbing alcohol.

*Again, only use 3% unless for hair highlights (6%).  It is disputed whether ingesting hydrogen peroxide is safe, so please do not ingest just in case.  When using as a toothpaste or mouth rinse, always spit out rather than swallow.