Hydrogen peroxide is a potent disinfectant that can be used around the house to help sterilize a variety of surfaces. When buying a cleaner featuring this chemical, you need to consider multiple factors. And since the market is filled with these kinds of cleaners, finding the right one can be challenging. But with this buyer’s guide, you should be able to find the right cleaner to help disinfect the surfaces in (and outside) your home.
What Are Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners?
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners contain hydrogen peroxide as their primary ingredient. Hydrogen peroxide is basically water with an additional oxygen molecule, so H2O becomes H2O2.
The additional oxygen molecule oxidizing is what gives peroxide its disinfectant powers. And due to this oxidation process, peroxide cleaners can kill germs and help get rid of stains on various surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide cleaners are even used in healthcare settings to help disinfect surfaces, and their efficacy is backed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
These cleaners are usually non-toxic and safe to use, too. Excessive exposure or inhalation can cause problems though. If you breathe a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, you may experience tightness in your chest or even shortness of breath.
Similarly, swallowing this cleaner can cause vomiting and inflammation. So, make sure you don’t use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and always use caution while handling it.
Things To Look For When Buying Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners
Concentration
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners are available in different concentrations, and the concentration determines how strong a product is and the type of disinfection it can reliably provide. There’s not really a right or wrong concentration as long as you’re using this cleaner in the right settings (and practicing caution). Typically, higher concentration cleaners are used in commercial settings, while lower concentration versions can work just fine for household cleaning.
Universal application
Almost nobody needs 15 different cleaning products to sanitize their entire house. So, a peroxide cleaner can be an all-in-one solution for virtually all your cleaning needs. You should be able to use the same product in your bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen, too.
Safe formula
A peroxide cleaner should not include harsh ingredients, or you might end up exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. So, look for products that use the minimum amount of ingredients to create a powerful solution. And remember, you shouldn’t mix peroxide with anything other than water or maybe a little baking soda.
Eco-friendliness
Although hydrogen peroxide itself is non-toxic, some cleaners do mix it with other chemicals, which can cause them to react with each other and produce harmful substances. And these emissions can be damaging to you and the environment. So, make sure you get a product that prioritizes environmentally conscious practices.
Secure packaging
No matter how safe it can be to use, hydrogen peroxide is still a chemical compound, and you don’t want it spilling around your home uncontrolled. An easy-to-open bottle, or one that drips, can end up being a disaster in a home with kids or pets. To help avoid accidents and injuries, make sure you get a peroxide cleaner that comes in secure packaging, and you should also keep it somewhere safe that’s out of the reach of children and pets.
Different Strengths of Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners
Hydrogen peroxide is just water with additional oxygen, but it is available in different strengths. And each potency level also serves a different purpose. You can find hydrogen peroxide cleaners in the following strengths:
3 percent
A 3% solution contains 97% water and 3% peroxide, and it is available almost everywhere. This concentration is called “medical-grade peroxide”, and it comes in a signature brown bottle that most drugstores carry. This solution can be perfect for household use, too. And despite being the weakest version, it can still be strong enough to get cleaning jobs done. Plus, when it comes to killing germs, this concentration can be very effective in home settings.
6 to 10 percent
Since peroxide has bleaching properties, it can also be used for bleaching. This type of solution contains 6-10% peroxide mixed with water. These concentrations are more powerful than medical-grade versions, and you can find them in hair dyes, hair bleaches, and teeth whitening products.
35 percent
Another common strength of peroxide is 35%, and it is called “food-grade hydrogen peroxide”. This type of peroxide is used in the food industry for different purposes, like processing and bleaching different foods.
Although this version is pretty safe in controlled amounts, 35% peroxide can become toxic if it comes in contact with the skin. And inhaling such a high-strength peroxide can prove harmful and may even cause vomiting and other reactions.
90 percent
This is the most potent strength of hydrogen peroxide. It only contains 10% water, and the rest is peroxide in its pure form. These types of peroxide cleaners are used in industrial settings to get rid of tough grease stains in places like hotel kitchens.
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners Remove Stains?
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners are also powerful bleaching agents, which means they can effectively remove stains. And you can also use them to get rid of spots and stains on different materials and surfaces. Before using them though, you should do a patch test to make sure a cleaner won’t cause any discoloration, and also remember not to use these cleaners on colored surfaces.
Here are some common surfaces you can remove stains from by using a hydrogen peroxide cleaner:
Carpets
White and off-white carpets tend to gather stains quickly. You can spray a hydrogen peroxide cleaner directly on these stains using a spray bottle, and then you can rub the material lightly with a cotton cloth, which should help get rid of the stains while also whitening the carpet.
Clothing
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used for bleaching clothes. If you’ve got stains on white or off-white clothes, you can soak them in a mixture of water and peroxide. For more stubborn stains, you can even add some hydrogen peroxide to your washing machine’s bleach compartment. This way, you can also help get rid of older stains.
Ceramic
Over time, ceramic cookware tends to lose its natural sparkle. With the help of some hydrogen peroxide cleaner though, you can help revive the glint and glimmer of your ceramic pots and pans pretty easily. Before spraying your cookware with hydrogen peroxide though, sprinkle some baking soda on them to help maximize the results.
Tiles
Grout is one of the most challenging spots to clean in your bathroom. It accumulates dirt and grime over time and starts to look unhygienic. But a peroxide cleaner can make it look like new in no time. All you have to do is spray some cleaner directly onto the grout and leave the solution on for a few minutes before scrubbing it off using a stiff brush.
