15 Unexpected Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around Your Home

Remove Carpet Stains

You don’t need specialty carpet cleaning products to get your carpets looking pristine and stain-free. Carpet stains can be tricky to remove, but a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can often work wonders.

“Mix one cup of baking soda with two cups of hydrogen peroxide, apply it to the stain, and blot gently with a clean, non-printed towel,” advises Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. Allow it to sit for half an hour, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

Refresh Baking Sheets

If your baking sheets have seen better days and are covered in grease or burn stains, don’t replace them just yet. “Make them look good as new by covering the inside of the pan with baking soda and sprinkling hydrogen peroxide on the surface to dampen,” says Mock. “Let the treatment work overnight.” The next morning, gently scrape off the paste, then wash them with hot soap water. When you rinse them they’ll be good as new.

Cleaning Grout

A homemade mixture of equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can help clean and brighten dirty grout on tile floors, countertops, and shower walls, says Mock. Just apply the mixture directly onto your grout lines, then scrub in a circular motion with a toothbrush. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with clean water.

Proactively cleaning with the solution can also help prevent your grout from becoming unsightly in the first place. “Hydrogen peroxide’s oxidizing properties make it a great first line of defense, helping to kill bacteria, mold, and mildew with foaming action,” says Leah Howell, a cleaning and floor care expert at Bona.

Wiping Stovetops

Getting your stovetops squeaky clean is easier than you might think. Mix a little hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to create a paste. Then, apply the mixture to the stovetop and scrub with the rough side of a sponge, says Mock. Your stove will be shining in no time.

Lift Blood Stains

Blood stains happen from time to time, and they can be particularly tricky to remove. Hydrogen peroxide, however, works wonders. “Pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain, let it bubble, and then rinse with cold water before washing as usual,” says Mock. 

Disinfect Showers

Your shower is a breeding ground for mildew and mold, the result of constant moisture with daily use. Hydrogen peroxide can be incredibly effective at helping get rid of hard to remove build-up. “Spray it on affected areas, let it sit, and scrub away stubborn mold and mildew,” says Mock.

Sanitize Surfaces

Just like hydrogen peroxide’s oxidizing properties can sanitize cuts, it can also sanitize surfaces all around your house. “To disinfect, apply 3 percent hydrogen peroxide onto frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, cutting boards, light switches, and doorknobs, let it sit for five to 10 minutes, and wipe clean,” shares Mock.

You can also use it to safely sanitize food-contact surfaces, allowing you to eliminate germs while forgoing harsh chemicals, Faherty adds. Spray it on areas like refrigerator shelves, the kitchen sink, and garbage disposal.

Make Glass and Mirrors Shine

Get ready to ditch your go-to class cleaner: Hydrogen peroxide can deliver the same results for a fraction of the price. Spray a 3– to 5-percent hydrogen peroxide solution on glass and mirrors to clean without leaving streaks behind, says Faherty. The end result? A clear, shiny surface.

Whiten Bathtubs

Bathtubs naturally get dingy looking over time, but hydrogen peroxide can help breathe new life into your old tub. “Hydrogen peroxide’s oxidizing properties allow it to remove stains and discoloration from hard surfaces such as your bathtub,” says Mock.

Simply spray hydrogen peroxide onto the stained areas, then let it sit for a few minutes. Give it a good scrub with a sponge or washcloth, then rinse thoroughly.

Laundry and Fabric Care

Hydrogen peroxide is likely not the first cleaning product that comes to mind for treating stained laundry and fabrics—but it can really come in handy. Apply it directly to fabrics before laundering to remove protein-based stains, like wine or grass, or brighten up your white by adding ½ cup to your laundry cycle, suggests Faherty.

If your towels or clothes start to smell musty, add a cup to your washer to help remove the odor from the machine.

Treat Mattress Stains

Mattress stains can be difficult to treat, but hydrogen peroxide is effective and easy to use. According to Mock, all it takes is combining 3 tablespoons of baking soda with about eight rough pours of hydrogen peroxide and a drop of dish soap to get stains out of your mattress.

Apply the mixture to any stains and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it with a damp towel and blot dry until no more liquid is absorbed, she says. Allow it to air dry. Should any smells remain, sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on the affected area to neutralize the odor. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.

Revitalize Patio Furniture

Outdoor furniture can take a beating from the elements. Before you use your patio furniture for the season, spray it down with hydrogen peroxide to give it a much-needed refresh. It will clean and remove mold and mildew, too, helping prolong your furniture's lifespan.

Cleaning Children's Toys

If you have kids, you already know that children’s toys can get dirty and germy fast. A 3 to 5 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can help keep toys safe for playtime and germ-free. Simply spray them down, wipe, and rinse to ensure a residue-free clean, instructs Faherty.

Disinfect Earrings

Another common task that calls for hydrogen peroxide, disinfecting earrings between wears can help prevent piercings from becoming infected. “Fill a small container halfway with hydrogen peroxide, soak your earrings for 20 minutes or overnight, and then scrub with a small jewelry brush,” shares Mock. Then, rinse them in warm water and dry them on a clean cloth for sparkling results.

Clean Up Garden Tools

Even though you use them for digging in the dirt, garden tools need to be cleaned between uses to help prevent the spread of plant diseases. Hydrogen peroxide can tackle this job with ease. Simply soak or spray your garden tools with hydrogen peroxide, then rinse them thoroughly.