Hydrogen peroxide, or H202 as it is scientifically known, comes in a variety of forms. Depending on the concentration of the mixture, the liquid is considered for household use, food grade, or electrical uses. In whatever form, though, hydrogen peroxide is nothing more than oxygen and water combined in a unique ratio to form a germicidal liquid.
More specifically, hydrogen is a liquid comprised of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms, an arrangement that makes the substance highly reactive. Being so reactive, hydrogen peroxide functions as an oxidizing treatment, which is one reason it can be used in so many different ways.
Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide at Home
1. Get Rid of a Cold
It might sound a little strange, but putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into each of your ears every morning can help you beat a cold. Read more about this method here.
2. Use as a Mouthwash
Dilute in water (the mixture should be about half water-half hydrogen peroxide) and use as a mouthwash, being very careful not to swallow any of the stuff. It’ll kill germs & whiten your teeth. Some experts even think it helps alleviate toothaches and canker sores!
3. Cure canker sores
If you have canker sores in your mouth, you may be able to get them to go away faster by swishing some hydrogen peroxide in your mouth. Combine it with water so that you don’t cause any irritation or blistering in your mouth (too high a concentration of hydrogen peroxide can do this in large amounts). Swish it around for half a minute or so, and then spit it out and rinse with fresh water.
4. Make a toothpaste
If you are not a fan of toothpaste that comes in a tube and has all kinds of questionable artificial ingredients, you can make your own toothpaste at home. You can do this using baking soda by itself, if you like, or you can make it even more effective by mixing baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. This also works great in a pinch if you simply forgot to put the toothpaste on your grocery store list before you headed to the supermarket.
5. Antiseptic Mouth Rinse
Use a cap full of hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse to help whiten teeth and kill germs that cause bad breath.
6. Remove Ear Wax
Put a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide into ears, wait a minute or two, then follow up with a couple of drops of olive oil. Wait another minute, then drain fluid from ears to remove ear wax.
7. Foot Fungus
To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
8. Get rid of an ear infection
While we’re at it, you can also use hydrogen peroxide drops in your ear to take on an ear infection. Just know that you may need medical attention; you cannot cure all ear infections on your own, and they can get serious. So don’t let this stop you from going to a doctor!
9. Wound Care
3% H2O2 is used medically for cleaning wounds, removing dead tissue, and as an oral debriding agent. Peroxide stops slow (small vessel) wound bleeding/oozing, as well.
Sources:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-surprising-uses-for-hydrogen-peroxide.html
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/02/16/25-amazing-benefits-uses-for-hydrogen-peroxide/
http://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/hydrogen_peroxide.html
http://www.wikihow.com
