I love simplifying my life. I tend to be a bit of an unintentional collector, so when I have the opportunity to throw stuff out, I seize it!
And this policy of cleaning house whenever possible absolutely applies to my bathroom cabinets.
Arguably, my mild hoarding instinct is at its worst with beauty and health products, since I always think some new serum or cream is the fix for all my problems.
I’m in invariably disappointed by the results, so now I’m all about multi-use solutions using common products I already have. For example, I switched out my three kinds of cough syrup for simple apple cider vinegar, an everyday product with myriad uses.
Now, I’m learning that a similar DIY logic can apply to hydrogen peroxide.
This handy stuff, which we normally think of as an antiseptic, has a million different uses that I never knew about.
Just pick up a bottle of topical hydrogen peroxide, which is about 3 percent hydrogen peroxide diluted in water, and it will quickly become the MVP of your bathroom cabinet!
How do you use hydrogen peroxide? Let us know in the comments below!
Use #1: In Your Ears
This is an old-fashioned remedy that people have been using for years to get rid of excess ear wax.
The hydrogen peroxide bubbles up in the ear canal, pushing dirt and gunk to the surface and making it easy to pour out when you flip your head to the other side.
To do this, place a cotton ball in your ear, and pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into your ear through a funnel or pipette. When you feel fizzing, tip your head to the other side!
Please note, before you try this, make sure you don't have an ear infection or perforated ear drum; adding any liquid or oil could make the problem worse.
Use #2: On Your Feet
Next time you feel like a spa day, add some hydrogen peroxide to a foot bath full of hot water!
This does all kind of good stuff for your feet, which deserve a little pampering since you're on them all day long.
The hydrogen peroxide will help kill odor-causing bacteria, as well as fungus like athlete's foot.
It will also soften up tough skin on your feet, making it easier to clip hard toenails or slough off stubborn callus. Just make sure to rinse and thoroughly dry your feet when you're done.
Use #3: On Your Stinky Sneakers
Since hydrogen peroxide works on smelly feet, it stands to reason that it would give stinky sneakers a boost, too!
In fact, hydrogen peroxide is a good all-purpose odor killer that can be used on most fabrics in between washes.
If you have trouble with the strong fragrances in most anti-odor sprays, this simple solution will be a breath of fresh air, literally, next time you need to freshen up a pet bed or couch cushion.
Use #4: Around Your Blemishes
The antibacterial properties that make hydrogen peroxide so great for small cuts and scrapes also make it a no-brainer for tackling blemishes.
Everyone suffers from these tiny pockets of infection from time to time, and we all want to tackle them quickly.
Apply hydrogen peroxide to pimples using a cotton ball or swab after washing your face. Don't pick at the spot and you should see it heal in a day or two.
Use #5: In Your Potted Plants
Most of us think our potted plants just need water and sunlight, but if your plant is looking a bit peaky, you might want to try pouring a bit of hydrogen peroxide onto wet soil after watering.
The bubbly quality of hydrogen peroxide aerates the soil and gives the roots more room to breathe, in addition to killing off any fungus on the root system.
Use #6: All Over Fruits And Veggies
If you worry about what could be clinging to the surface of your produce, fill your sink up with water and add a dash of hydrogen peroxide.
Once you have your fruits and veggies soaking in the mixture, any dirt should scrub cleanly away, and the solution will also help to remove topical pesticides.
Use #7: On Your Linens
If you stain your new white towels or sheets, you might be despairing of how to fix the smudge without bleaching and potentially yellowing the whole piece.
Instead, try spraying a little hydrogen peroxide onto the fresh stain. Give it a minute, then follow up with dish soap.
The stain should be nearly gone, and completely gone after a wash.
Use #8: Inside Your Mouth
And you may want to harness those same whitening and stain-removing powers when it comes to your teeth.
Make a solution that's about half water and half hydrogen peroxide, and use it to swish and gargle after brushing your teeth.
The antibacterial properties will help to kill bad breath at the root, and you may see a mild whitening effect on your teeth!
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