Green Cleaning: Hydrogren Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another natural cleaning ingredient that is inexpensive to purchase and makes a great cleaner.  Besides saving money, hydrogren peroxide makes a great all-purpose cleaner and bleach and is eco-friendly. It will not harm the environment or cause your dog to grow 4 more legs.


Hydrogren Peroxide is antibacterial and antifungal and kills mold and mildew. Your average 3% hydrogen peroxide (yes, the same stuff you get at the pharmacy) will do this without causing danger to your or your environment.

Hydrogren peroxide must be kept in a dark bottle. If you simply put a sprayer into the original bottle, it can be used that way for treating mildew, mold, bloodstains, and such "spot" cleaners. If you choose to use it full strength on hard surfaces such as countertops, be sure to rinse afterwards. However, you can simply mix the peroxide half-n-half with water into a dark spray bottle and eliminate the need to rinse.

For laundry:
Remove blood stains on clothes. Just pour on the stained area.

Add one cup to a load of diapers to disinfect, deodorize, and whiten them.
Add one cup of peroxide to whites as a bleach.

Remember, too, that this is a bleach. Test on colors and darks before using!!!

I've mention the benefits of vinegar in a previous article. I'd like to mention here that vinegar and peroxide are perfect compliments to one another. They have opposite properties with regards to their antibacterial properties. Many times I simply spray one, wipe, then spray the other and wipe. I do this on areas such as counter tops and places where meat has been cut, sinks where staph and salmonella germs can thrive, and toilet seats.

It can also be used to disinfect:
Toilet brushes
Toothbrushes
sponges (although we do not consider sponges to be eco-friendly)
items from a sickroom such as thermometers
dental retainers

And the list goes on. Hydrogen peroxide is certainly an economical way to "Green Clean".