0

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfect Surfaces? The Answer Might Surprise You!

Okay, so you have taken a quick 10-minute break from your household chores to research about cleaning and household chores!

Sounds boring, but a lot of us are constantly on the lookout for the best ways to be cleaning the inside of their homes.

In this article, we are going to discuss the following: does hydrogen peroxide disinfect surfaces?

Let us discuss whether or not hydrogen peroxide disinfects surfaces, or whether you should consider using alternative cleaning products.

In this article, we are going to talk about the following key areas:

• What is hydrogen peroxide?
• Advantages of using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning purposes
• Disadvantages of using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning purposes
• Cleaning various surfaces

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical that appears a very pale blue color, which turns clear after it has been diluted. Hydrogen peroxide is often used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a mild antiseptic agent used on the skin for cuts, scrapes, and burns. However, it can also be used as part of a dilution which cleanses and bleaches surfaces.

For this article, we are going to focus on the latter. Whilst hydrogen peroxide is a great liquid to use for minor injuries, we want to look at the product in more detail and see whether or not it does work as a good cleaning product. But if you are interested in a book of old fashion remedies that are effective and natural, Click here

How Is Hydrogen Peroxide Formed?

Hydrogen peroxide is created in the atmosphere. Ultraviolet rays from the sun hit the oxygen in the air, which is full of moisture.

It is a similar concept as the water chemical expect that hydrogen peroxide contains an extra oxygen atom.

What Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide For?

Hydrogen peroxide is probably one of the most common household disinfectants across the world.

Despite cleaning the house and disinfecting small wounds, hydrogen peroxide can be used for lots of other reasons:

• Bleaching your hair
• Mixing with baking soda to make homemade hydrogen and peroxide to remove tooth stains
• Disinfect toothbrushes
• Clear up acne
• Remove ear wax
• Whiten grout
• Wash fruit and vegetables
• Whiten laundry
• Clean dehumidifiers

For more information about using hydrogen peroxide in your home, there are lots of instructional videos and articles that can be found online with step by step instructions.

Advantages of Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning Purposes

There are numerous advantages that come with using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning purposes.

Below we have included a few of the main advantages of using hydrogen peroxide in your day to day cleaning:

• Inexpensive;
• A non-toxic substance which means it is safe to use
• Does not hurt or impact the environment
• Does not cause pollution
• It is a strong disinfectant that can be used as an antibacterial and antifungal product that kills mold and mildew

Hydrogen peroxide proves to be a strong cleaning product that allows you to clean an array of different surfaces within the home. For more information about what type of surfaces you can clean using hydrogen peroxide, please read on.

Disadvantages of Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning Products

As with any product, hydrogen peroxide comes with both advantages and disadvantages. We have already looked at some of the great advantages of using hydrogen peroxide whilst cleaning, but now it is time to look at some of the disadvantages.

Below we have included a few disadvantages that you may want to consider when using hydrogen peroxide in your day to day cleaning:

• Hydrogen peroxide should not be ingested. Of course, this is similar for most cleaning products, the health warnings that come with hydrogen peroxide can be vague. It is advised that you keep hydrogen peroxide away from your eyes, mouth, and nose at all times.

Cleaning Surfaces Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Although we have provided a list of some of the ways in which hydrogen peroxide can be used in the house, below we have outlined a few examples in a bit more detail, just to give you some idea as to how this chemical works with regards to cleaning.

Hard Surfaces

Hard surfaces are probably the most common type of surface that people use hydrogen peroxide on. Hydrogen peroxide is a great chemical to clean the following:

• Walls
• Glass
• Countertops
• Baths and sinks
• Staircase banisters

How to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the above surfaces:

• Using a 3% solution undiluted, spray it on the surface
• Allow it to stand for several minutes (this is not a quick spray on and wipe off)
• Wipe it off
• Depending on how dirty the surface is, you may need to repeat the last two steps until you are happy

Floor Surfaces

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean hard floor surfaces. This works on vinyl flooring. Another flooring may also be cleaned in this way, but we advise that you research into it prior to splashing the hydrogen peroxide all over the floor.

How to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the above surface:

• Mix half a gallon 3% hydrogen peroxide with half a gallon of water
• Mop the floor as you would normally do
• You do not need to rinse
• Allow it to stand for several minutes (this is not a quick spray on and wipe off)
• Depending on how dirty the surface is, you may need to repeat the last two steps until you are happy

Final Thoughts

As you can see, hydrogen peroxide is useful and can be used in all types of situations. It has been proven to be a remarkable antiseptic, as well as a cleaning product.

When it comes to cleaning, hydrogen peroxide is a cheap alternative method for creating a cleaning product that still works just as well as other (more expensive) cleaning products. You can also use it diluted, a couple of cap full’s can disinfect water and may allow you to clean more items with ease.

It is recommended that you read the labels on the cleaning product that you buy to see what ingredients it contains. A lot of them will contain hydrogen peroxide. If not, you can even check out a few videos online to see how you can use hydrogen peroxide to create your own cleaning product.

Related Questions

Is it safe to use Hydrogen Peroxide on Wounds?

According to the article, “Hydrogen Peroxide: A Potential Wound Therapeutic Target?“, it seems actually detrimental to use hydrogen peroxide on wounds whether it be a scrape or wound. While it is true that when applied, the resulting froth that occurs is a signal of bacteria dying, there is also your own cells being damaged as well.

This damage can lead to healthy cells dying and actually lengthening the amount of time for recovery. It is actually more recommended to not use any type of cleaning solution, I.E alcohol to clean out a wound. It is better for your body to simply use clean water and soap in the wound, which ensures any debris is able to be washed out and for the soap to kill a majority of any foreign germs. Just keep in mind as a rule in general, avoid using hydrogen peroxide for cuts and scrapes. Leave the hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting items, or surfaces, However in a pinch, use it as a wound disinfectant by diluting it with clean water. For a great book on natural remedies, click the following to get the latest information and pricing

Similar Agents such as Hydrogen Peroxide

There are actually multiple choices for agents that are similar to hydrogen peroxide. For example, alcohol is usually found in everything from hand sanitizer to beer. Alcohol is perfect for quick disinfection on a wound and often ensures that any bacteria can be killed near instantly. While you can use certain proof numbers (percentage of alcohol present in a drink) for a quick disinfectant. Another great choice for wound care or disinfected can be found in saline solution. This type of solution is often used in surgeries and other delicate situations where alcohol may be too strong to use or might damage tissue.

Dangers of Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide’s effects of dangerous effects are contingent on the level of concentration. For example, the over the counter Hydrogen Peroxide used in medicinal purposes has about 3% overall concentration, hair bleach has 10%, and industrial solutions cap out at around 90%. While you might not encounter any industrial level Hydrogen Peroxide lying around, Hydrogen Peroxide is still reachable and can be mistaken for a normal glass of water, in any case make sure to keep this chemical out of reach of your kids.

The 3% concentration Hydrogen Peroxide, is dangerous if applied to the eyes enough to cause blindness and is recommended to clean as quickly as possible. Normally, drinking Hydrogen Peroxide is also not recommended to drink but is not very dangerous if done. The only issues that occur are irritation in the mouth, throat, and stomach. Hydrogen Peroxide also causes bubbles to form in the stomach and can cause you to “throw up” bubbles. These effects can be mitigated by either waiting for the effects pass or giving the person afflicted water or milk.  The amount of hydrogen peroxide drunken can also cause stomach irritation and at higher concentrations, internal bleeding.