The little brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide that is hiding in the back of your medicine cabinet is one of the best, but highly underrated cleaners in your house. Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is one of the oldest tricks available, and something our moms and grandmothers used long before the cleaning section separated everything by surface and created a million different sprays. Hydrogen peroxide whitens, disinfects, removes stains and mildew, and kills mildew all for roughly $1 a bottle. Plus, household hydrogen peroxide only has 3% concentration, which is just what you need for everything on this list.
I never expected to grab the bottles I’ve kept in the kitchen sink and laundry room so often. With two teenagers who practically throw away white socks after wearing them and a husband who can’t see a set-in stain, and Gigi the goldendoodle who leaves surprises on the carpet, I’ve had to put most of them to the test. Here are 30 ways to clean with hydrogen peroxide that may help you stop only thinking of it as a first-aid item.
1. Whiten Dingy Whites in the Laundry
To brighten your dingy shirts, socks, and sheets, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your whites load with detergent, or pour it into the bleach dispenser. It’s less harsh than chlorine bleach and doesn’t have the strong smell.
My teens’ white socks go out looking like they are covered in mud from a parking lot after just one wear. I have to buy peroxide to clean them without having to buy new socks every month.
2. Whiten Grout With Baking Soda
Combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Apply this along the grout lines, then let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. After this, take an old toothbrush and scrub the grout, then rinse. It removes years of unsightly buildup and brightens grout to a color closer to its original state.
I thought the gray color of our kitchen tile grout was its color now. This paste surprised me and brought back a lot of white. I did text a before-and-after photo to one friend who would appreciate it.
3. Kill Mold and Mildew
Spray undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto moldy or mildewed grout, caulk, and tile. Let it sit for Ten minutes. Then scrub and wipe clean. It will kill surface mold and help to lighten dark stains.
A corner in the kids’ shower is growing things I’m not comfortable naming, but it’s not as bad when I spray it with peroxide, and I won’t have to pretend to ignore this.
4. Lift Carpet Stains
For light-colored carpets, you can use hydrogen peroxide to treat organic stains such as food spills, pet stains, and blood stains. Simply apply and blot the stain with hydrogen peroxide, allow it to bubble and sit for a few minutes, then blot it clean with water. Be sure to test it on a hidden area of the carpet first, as peroxide can lighten some carpet colors.
When you have a goldendoodle, you know your carpet has seen some stuff. The miracle that is peroxide has saved more than one spot that I thought was permanent. However, I did learn the test-first rule the hard way when a patch ended up lighter than the rest of the carpet.
5. The Famous Peroxide, Dawn, and Baking Soda Stain Remover
For an effective treatment, combine two parts hydrogen peroxide, one part Dawn dish soap, and add a tiny amount of baking soda. Rub the solution into the stain, allow it to soak and then wash. This solution can remove most stains that normal detergent cannot including the yellowing from armpits, food stains, grass stains, and grease stains.
I’ve saved myself from having to mentally retire white shirts, and something about watching a yellow ring disappear is very satisfying. This is my laundry trick for when I’m stuck on a desert island.
6. Disinfect Cutting Boards
Once you’re done cutting raw meat, clean the cutting board, then spray or wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit a few minutes before rinsing it off. It disinfects and doesn’t smell like chlorine, which makes it great for plastic cutting boards.
I tend to be somewhat paranoid when it comes to handling raw chicken, which involves an excess of hand washing and cautious looks at the cutting board. It’s not until after I use a peroxide wipe that I feel comfortable enough to actually go ahead and prepare the meal.
7. Sanitize Sponges and Dishcloths
To help get rid of that awful sink sponge stink and to kill bacteria, try soaking your sponges in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes. After soaking your sponge, simply squeeze and rinse it and it will be ready for the next use.
I keep putting off getting rid of a kitchen sponge. Each time I soak it in peroxide, it gets a little more of a lease on life. Eventually I have to admit it’s time to get rid of it.
8. Brighten the Toilet Bowl
Disinfect the toilet by pouring half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, letting it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, scrubbing with the toilet brush, then flushing it. This process will disinfect the toilet, eliminate stains, and whiten the toilet bowl, all while being free of strong odors.
This is the easiest and laziest way to clean before people come over. Just pour it, let it sit, and scrub it. That’s the kind of cleaning I can support.
9. Disinfect Countertops
The countertops can be disinfected by spraying hydrogen peroxide on them and letting them sit for a few minutes before wiping them down. This is great for the kitchen after preparing food, but you should test natural stones like granite or marble first.
Teaching my kids not to be lazy and at a minimum encourage them to do some cleaning around the house… Forcing them to clean the counter was certainly a lesson in dealing with raw meat, but I wanted to make sure the counter was safe to eat off of. Looked pretty darn clean to me after we blasting it with peroxide.
10. Whiten Yellowed Pillows
To remove yellow sweat stains from the pillows, add hydrogen peroxide to the hot wash along with your usual detergent and some baking soda. This will eliminate the yellowing from the pillows and restore them to a fresh white.
I was shocked when I flipped a pillow over one day and discovered what was lurking beneath the case. But the peroxide wash helped resolve the problem, and I’ve since decided there are some things I find better not to take pictures of.
11. Clean and Brighten White Sneakers
Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Scrub the paste onto the white canvas or rubber sneakers with an old toothbrush and let them dry in the sun. After drying, brush off the paste. It lifts the grime and brightens the dingy white shoes!
I have accepted that I am going to lose this battle against teenage footwear. My daughter’s white sneakers go from looking brand new to looking awful in about a week. However, this trick does make them look more presentable again.
12. Scrub Soap Scum From the Tub and Shower
You can use hydrogen peroxide to spray onto the soap scum and grime in the tub and shower. Just let it sit, scrub, then rinse. It cuts the soap scum film while disinfecting, especially when paired with a baking soda scrub.
The kids’ tub has a ring around it that looks like they bathe in mud. Well, a little peroxide and some scrubbing. That means I’m not on my knees for half an hour, which my back appreciates more each year.
13. Streak-Free Mirrors and Glass
To get your mirrors and glass streak-free, spray some hydrogen peroxide and wipe it down with a clean microfiber cloth or even some newspaper. It cuts through that annoying hairspray film and toothpaste splatter, and leaves no residue behind.
Bathroom mirrors always get that fine layer of hairspray, toothpaste, and other filth. Peroxide is the only thing that really clears it off instead of just moving the film around.
14. Disinfect the Refrigerator Interior
Take everything out of the fridge. Use hydrogen peroxide to wipe down and disinfect the shelves and drawers. This is great after spills and if you’ve forgotten about leftovers. Don’t forget to rinse with a damp cloth afterward.
Every now and again, I’ll find something in the back of the fridge that has formed a new life of some sort. After I take care of it and heal from the emotional scarring, a burn damage wipe down makes me feel like the fridge is safe again.
15. Sanitize Lunch Boxes and Coolers
To eliminate the lingering odors and bacteria, use hydrogen peroxide to wipe the insides of lunch boxes, coolers, and reusable bags. After a few minutes, wipe it dry.
A teenager’s lunch box that sits in a backpack over a long weekend is downright horrifying. The thought of sending it back to school instead of throwing it out would require copious amounts of peroxide.
16. Clean the Dishwasher and Washing Machine
To disinfect, deodorize, and reduce buildup, run a cup of hydrogen peroxide in an empty hot cycle on your dishwasher or washing machine. It freshens up the machine that’s supposed to be doing the cleaning.
Until my washing machine started to smell musty, I never thought about it being nasty, I just assumed whatever I put in it could get dirty. I cleaned it with some peroxide, and now I do it when I feel guilty.
17. Remove Blood Stains
One of the best treatments for a blood stain that has started to set is to pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain, allow it to bubble, and then blot and rinse with cold water.
Life is chaotic with two kids, and of course there will be the occasional scraped knees or bloody noses. Sheets and shirts I thought were ruined have been saved by peroxide.
18. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
Spray or wipe the following surfaces with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect frequently touched surfaces: doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and cabinet handles. Then briefly air dry it.
In the cold season when a teenage kid brings home the flu and generously shares it with the whole family, I tend to overdo it by cleaning everything. My go-to cleaning product is peroxide.
19. Brighten Dingy Dish Towels
Brighten your stained dish towels and kitchen rags by soaking them in hot water and hydrogen peroxide before washing. This will help cut odors and revive your towels that have become gray and stiff.
I make my dish towels live hard lives. I can’t tell you how many times they’ve cleaned up my spaghetti sauce spills and cleaned up after my dog. Luckily a soak in some peroxide saves my dish towels from the brink, so I don’t have to constantly keep buying new ones.
20. Clean Baked-On Oven Grime
You can use a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for the job. Just spread it over the baked-on grime, let it sit several hours, and wipe clean. This method avoids the toxic fumes from commercial oven cleaners.
I avoid cleaning the oven like some people avoid going to the dentist. At least this way, I can do it without having to hold my breath to avoid the chemical fumes the entire time.
21. Disinfect Wooden Cutting Boards and Spoons
Disinfect wooden cutting boards and utensils by wiping them down with hydrogen peroxide, followed by a rinse. Wood tends to crack, so make sure to dry it completely after cleaning and periodically oil it.
I have had my wooden spoons for years, and I can definitely tell by looking at them. I try to remember to oil them, and I am successful about half the time. The only thing that I do to try and keep them looking cleaner is use some peroxide.
22. Whiten Yellowed Plastic and Appliances
You can wipe with hydrogen peroxide to lighten the discoloration from age and sun exposure.
Some of my older kitchen gadgets have yellowed in an unappetizing way. I’ve managed to make them a little closer to white again with peroxide which scratches a very specific itch in my brain.
23. Clean and Freshen Trash Cans
Hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed on the surfaces of trash cans and allowed to sit before being wiped off to disinfect the surfaces and eliminate the odors that build up at the bottoms. It’s an easy way to take care of the most unsightly receptacle in the home.
I use a lot of kitchen trash bags, but the smell doesn’t go away. I sprayed the can with peroxide, which works better than the hopeful scented candle I lit.
24. Brighten Dingy Tile and Vinyl Floors
You want to brighten and disinfect floors? Try adding hydrogen peroxide to your mop water! This works great on sealed tiles and vinyl. Just make sure to test a small area first. It’s not recommended for unsealed wood because they don’t like moisture.
Our dog’s muddy paws and dropped food make a mess of our kitchen floor. When I use a peroxide mop, I really see the floor’s true brightness, even though it’s only clean and not just clean.
25. Remove Coffee and Wine Stains
To treat stains from coffee, tea, and red wine on light-colored fabrics, use a combination of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Apply the solution to the stain, let it sit, then blot it and wash it. The solution helps to break down the tannins that cause the stains to be stubborn.
I’ve spilled coffee on more than one shirt before, and I have gotten a little bit clumsy. This combo has saved a few favorites from being on pajama duty.
26. Sanitize Toothbrush Holders
The gunk that builds up in the bottom of the toothbrush holder is extremely filthy and is a hot spot for bacteria in the bathroom. To fix this, soak the holder in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes, scrub, then rinse. This will clear the buildup and disinfect the holder.
I took a look into the toothbrush holder and instantly regretted it. Now it gets cleaned with peroxide on a regular basis, and I really try not to dwell on how long it was before I did that first cleaning.
27. Clean Reusable Grocery Bags
Give your reusable grocery bags a quick spray with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect after you’ve carried produce, meat, or anything that has leaked. Allow it to sit, then wipe or let the bags air dry.
Wondering what’s hiding in the bottom seam of my reusable bags isn’t a problem I have to deal with thanks to a peroxide spray. I can keep using my bags, even with the questionable leaks I’ve hauled from the store.
28. Disinfect the Kitchen Sink
To disinfect the kitchen sink and drain areas, spray hydrogen peroxide and allow it to sit for a while, then rinse. This is especially worthwhile after raw meat and produce rinsing.
I used to forget to clean the sink even though the sink is the first place a lot of gross things go. Now, after meal prep, I have the habit of spraying some peroxide, and it gives the whole kitchen an even cleaner feel.
29. Clean a Smelly Humidifier
To kill bacteria and mold in the damp interior of your humidifier, pour hydrogen peroxide into the humidifier’s water tank, fill it with hydrogen peroxide, and swish it around. Let it sit for a bit, then empty the tank and rinse it out thoroughly to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide. This should be done regularly during the season you use the humidifier.
During the winter months, we always put a humidifier in to make the air less dry, and if I don’t clean it often enough, the tank can get disgusting. I put some peroxide in it to prevent it from becoming a science project that I would be too embarrassed to tell people about.
30. Treat Set-In Underarm Stains
To get rid of yellow stains on the underarms of your shirts, try using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, along with a small amount of dish soap. Soak the stained area for 30 minutes to an hour before you wash it. This solution works to break your stains down, as well as the deodorant and sweat residue that clogs up your fabric.
It feels like a small victory every time I save an undershirt from the donation pile. My husband’s undershirts develop yellow underarm stains that no normal wash touches. This soak has brought several back from the donation pile.
Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is what made it a staple in our grandmother’s cabinets: it is affordable, versatile, and it does not create strong fumes like other modern cleaners do. One brown bottle is all you need for whitening, disinfecting, stain removal, and mildew removal. One bottle replaces an entire shelf of single-purpose spray cleaners.
When using this product, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, always store the product in the original dark bottle as exposure to light can cause it to break down. Additionally, always test the product on an inconspicuous area first before using it on colored fabric or carpet to ensure it does not cause any discoloration. Also, make sure to use the product on laundry and the grout first. Once you see how well it works, you will be looking for other areas of the house to use it on!
Common Questions About Cleaning With Hydrogen Peroxide
What should you not clean with hydrogen peroxide?
Keep hydrogen peroxide away from colored or delicate fabrics and dark carpets unless you spot-test first, since it can lighten or bleach them. Avoid using it on natural stone like polished marble and on some metals such as brass and copper, where it can dull or corrode the finish over time. And never combine it with vinegar in the same sealed bottle — use the two separately, since mixing them creates an irritating acid.
Can you mix Dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide together?
Yes, and it is one of the best homemade stain removers around. Combine about two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part Dawn and a sprinkle of baking soda, work it into set-in stains, let it sit, then launder. The Dawn cuts grease while the peroxide lifts and brightens. Mix it fresh each time rather than storing it, since the peroxide loses strength once it is combined and exposed to light.
What do you mix with hydrogen peroxide for cleaning?
The two most useful pairings are baking soda and Dawn dish soap. Hydrogen peroxide plus baking soda makes a brightening paste for grout, ovens, and white sneakers, while peroxide plus a drop of Dawn tackles laundry and carpet stains. For everyday disinfecting you do not need to mix it with anything — 3% hydrogen peroxide works on its own. Just do not combine it with vinegar in one container.
What are the disadvantages of using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning?
Hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly when exposed to light, so it has to be stored in its original dark bottle and used reasonably fresh to stay effective. It can also lighten colored fabrics, grout dyes, and carpets, so it always needs a spot test first. It works more slowly than chlorine bleach, so it is best to let it sit for several minutes to do its job.
Does hydrogen peroxide kill mold and disinfect surfaces?
Yes. Sprayed at its standard 3% strength and left to sit for about ten minutes, hydrogen peroxide kills surface mold and mildew and disinfects high-touch spots like counters, cutting boards, and doorknobs. It also helps lighten the dark staining mold leaves behind. Rinse or wipe the surface after it has had time to work.