Excerpt from "101 Home Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide" by Rebecca Mundt

Before we go diving off into the deep end of the pool... Just wanted to share a few thoughts with you before you find yourself sailing along in the bright new world of hydrogen peroxide...

First - Hydrogen peroxide is what it is because it is what it is. Does that sound redundant? Actually, it's not. H2O2, as it's chemically named, is a chemical compound. It is created in our atmosphere as a natural process, as well as in our bodies, in plants and generally... all over the place. But we humans have this capacity to take simple chemical compounds like hydrogen peroxide... and make them stronger.

So all the great advice in this ebook IS great. Use it. Apply it. And experiment… a little.

But don't forget that you're dealing with a very powerful organic chemical compound that, in high concentrations, is an oxidizer. That means it burns.

At concentrations higher than 5% it can cause permanent eye damage. So don't put it in your eye! And respect the fact that it is strong in human created dosages. 35% hydrogen peroxide kills all microbial and bacteria life on contact in less than 20 seconds.

If you're battling the creeping crud of all mildews… that's terrific! If you're not careful how you handle it, that's not.

Common sense is, unfortunately, not a salable commodity. So, just please, don't be illogical. Think science. If you find yourself getting sloppy in your conduct, just remember...

You may be playing with 8%, 10%, even 35% hydrogen peroxide... Those space shuttles are launching off the pure stuff... it IS that powerful. A little respect is not so much to ask.

• Over 3%: Wear gloves. Don't inhale mist. Ventilate area for large applications.
• Even at 3%: Don't inhale the mist, ventilate, let it work without working on you.
• Any applications of eardrops, etc. never use stronger than 3% solutions.
• It's like all great and good things in life. Some is wonderful, and applied correctly it gives nothing but joy. Too much makes trouble. No one thing is good all the time.

So, use hydrogen peroxide with an awareness and respect of its power, and it will serve you very very well.

The easiest way to understand the vast array of practical applications of hydrogen peroxide is to take a closer look at what it is, and how it interacts with the rest of the world.

Hydrogen Peroxide: H2O2

Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O) - building blocks of the natural world. What makes hydrogen peroxide preferable to Chlorine, Ammonia, Window Cleaner, Oven Cleaner, Pine Cleaner, Branded Disinfectants, Toilet Bowl Cleaners, and Chemical Abrasives.

Unlike chlorine, ammonia and other toxic cleaning products, hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. The two elements that make up hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen and oxygen) in their most common form make water (H2O).

With thanks to Rebecca Mundt who wrote the amazing book "101 Home Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide" 

To dilute to 3% solution:

Mix 11 parts of distilled water with 1 part 35% H2O2(Food grad)

Store food grade H2O2 in a labeled UV protected bottle and place in a cool, dark, and safe place away from pets and children. H2O2 reduces in strength less than 1/2 of 1% per month when stored in a refrigerator (but not in a freezer!).

Kitchen

Keep a spray bottle of 3% H2O2 in the kitchen. Use to wipe off counter tops and appliances, inside your refrigerator and cutting boards etc.

In the dishwasher:

Add 50 ml (2 oz.) of 3% H2O2 to your regular washing formula.

Sprouting needs:

Add 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to one pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.

Salad:

Add 1 Tbsp. of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to 1/2 cup of water and spray the top of the salad before covering and refrigerating.

Leftover tossed salad:

Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Drain, cover and refrigerate. Eliminates use of chemical preservatives.

Vegetable and fruit soak:

Add 1/4 cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide into a gallon of cold water. Soak light/thin vegetables (Lettuce, etc.) for 20 minutes. For thicker skinned vegetables (like Cucumbers) for 30 minutes. Drain and dry (they’ll keep longer). If time is an issue, you can spray vegetables with straight 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, let stand for a couple of minutes, rinse and dry.

Milk:

Add 2 drops of 35% Hydrogen Peroxide (full strength) per gallon of milk. This extends the expiration date considerably (works great for us!).

Water Storage  (For two months or more):

Add 30-50 drops of 35% Hydrogen Peroxide

Washing meat: 

Use salt and 3% hydrogen peroxide in chilled water for washing fish, chicken or other meat to kill bacteria and viruses.

Marinade: Place meat, fish or poultry in a casserole (avoid using aluminum pans). Cover with a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place in a loosely covered container in refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Rinse and cook.

Shower:

Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the shower for spraying down the shower to kill bacteria bugs and viruses

Bath, basin and toilet:

 Half fill a spray bottle with a 3% solution and then top it up with water for use as a bathroom and toilet disinfectant and cleaner. This is especially useful if you have a septic, grey water or backwater treatment system as it won't harm the bacteria in the treatment areas - the hydrogen peroxide would have diluted to a point that renders it harmless by that stage through the interaction with flush water.

Mold & Mildew:

Mix a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with two parts water in a spray bottle and use on areas affected by mold. You can try a neat 3% solution for areas like bathroom tiling, but be careful on the strength in relation to painted items as it may bleach them.

Laundry:

Add 250 ml (1 cup) of 3% H2O2 in place of bleach.

Remove bloodstains from clothing by blotting stain with 3% hydrogen peroxide, and then rinse promptly with cold water to avoid bleaching of the fabric.

To remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths, fill a sink with cold water and add 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry

Detox Bath:

Use 250 ml (1cup) of 35% H2O2 to a tub. Soak at least for 30 minutes

Nasal Spray:

Mix 1 Tablespoon of 3% diluted hydrogen peroxide solution with 8 oz (1 Cup) of distilled water for use as a nasal spray. Use 2-3 squirts of this nasal spray throughout the day when you start experiencing signs of congestion. Better yet, try it daily and see if it helps ward off congestion during the cold and flu season.

Dental care:

Make whitening toothpaste by mixing baking soda and enough 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to form a paste

Dip your toothbrush in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide solution to help kill bacteria on the brush after brushing.

Mouthwash:

A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide with equal amounts of water can be used as a mouthwash - swish for up to 60 seconds once a day; but don't swallow and be sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards. This can also help whiten teeth.

Humidifiers & steamers:

Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water. This helps keep them clean too.

First Aid:

Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to sterilize cuts and abrasions - the fizzing you'll see is normal.

Eardrops:

We have found remarkable results in curing the flu and cold within 12 to 14 hours by administering a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into each infected ear, (sometimes only one ear is infected). The H2O2 starts working within 2 to 3 minutes in killing the flu or cold; there will be some bubbling and in some cases mild stinging occurs. Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually just a few minutes), then drain the excess fluid onto a tissue and repeat the process in the other ear. It is easiest to lie on your side in bed while using this method, and a Q-tip or cotton ball work well to administer the H2O2.