Hydrogen Peroxide: A Safe Alternative to Clean & Disinfect Your Home
There are good uses for hydrogen peroxide and not so great uses for the product, like lightening our hair or cleaning up a scraped knee—even if it was grandma’s secret cure. On the other hand, cleaning your home with hydrogen peroxide has many advantages. When you look at its chemical makeup, it’s pretty much water with an added oxygen atom making it H2O2 rather than H2O. So, while it’s as strong as bleach it’s non-toxic! This makes it environmentally friendly and the bonus: it’s super cheap! Some retailers sell 3 bottles for $5. But more importantly, it’s a strong disinfectant, powerful enough to kill bacteria and viruses like COVID-19.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean
Using hydrogen peroxide is easy, all you need is an opaque spray bottle (light kills its effectiveness).
- Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide – don’t dilute with anything.
- Spray down bacteria loving surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen counters, toilets and sinks, tub/shower, trash cans, and don’t forget the doorknobs.
- Allow the solution to bubble on the surface for 2-3 minutes.
- Then simply wipe off.
- For a more pleasing scent, add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil.
Use caution when applying hydrogen peroxide to countertops. If they’re made of marble or granite, avoid regular use (it can break down the finish). Additionally, it does have bleaching agents and can cause discolouring. If you’re using it on a coloured surface be sure to test it on a discrete area first.
WARNING: NEVER mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar. Combining the two will form peracetic acid, which could irritate your skin, eyes and respiratory system.
Looking to Take your Cleaning to the Next Level? Call Your Local Molly Maid!
At Molly Maid, we’re excited to return to service and have introduced our Healthy Home Cleaning System to ensure consistent safety standards during the pandemic. From helpful Cleaning Tips to Professional Cleaning Services, Molly Maid is your one-stop shop for guidance and resources on keeping a healthy, clean and organized home.
