Hydrogen peroxide is a common active ingredient in mouthwash. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and swish it around your mouth to save money over store-bought rinse — it'll help whiten teeth too.
Six Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide You Might Not Know
Hydrogen peroxide is a pretty effective virus killer. Most people keep a bottle in the medicine cabinet for cuts and scrapes, or in the laundry room for blood stains, but good old household H2O2 has a lot of other uses you might not know about.
Make a Mouth Rinse
Disinfect Toothbrushes and Dental Appliances
Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or after a cold, but in the meantime, soaking one in hydrogen peroxide kills germs between replacements.
Clean Fruit and Veggies
Spritz a little food-grade hydrogen peroxide on produce as an alternative to pricier fruit and vegetable washes, then rinse thoroughly.
Whiten Clothes Without Bleach
Add half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to a wash cycle as a gentler general bleach substitute for whites.
Kill Dust Mites in Your Mattress
Dust mites are nearly inevitable, but they don't have to build up. Spray hydrogen peroxide on a bare mattress to clear out invisible critters.
Clear Mildew From a Humidifier
A moldy, mildewy humidifier helps no one — the Mayo Clinic recommends cleaning one every three days. Start with soap and water, then disinfect with a hydrogen peroxide and water solution.
Got a handy tip of your own?
Reply and let us know, we love hearing your tips.
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive — 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →