Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Hydrogen Peroxide is not a complicated product.

The molecule is made up of two hydrogens and two oxygens, bonded together to create a simple ‘H2O2’.

Basically, Hydrogen Peroxide is water (H2O) with an extra oxygen molecule attached. Although stable in solution, it is quick to react when it comes in contact with other things, releasing the extra oxygen molecule… (remember the signature ‘bubbling’?)… and fizzing out until all of the extra oxygen is released. At that point it becomes, just – water!

Oxygen can be a powerful force for good or bad. It’s in the air we breathe- a sustainer of life. It’s also the cause of rust on metals, spoiled food, and the like. When Peroxide is used for cleaning, the idea is usually that you are trying to expose whatever it is you’re trying to clean to oxygen. If you’re thinking of cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide (or curious about how you can harness the power of oxygen for your next cleaning project!)- here are some things you need to know!

In this article:

• Should I Use Hydrogen Peroxide?
• How Hydrogen Peroxide Works
• How to Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide
• Is it Safe to Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide?

Should I Use Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide is typically used one of two ways: either for bleaching textiles or for disinfection. Here we cover these two uses, plus our thoughts on some other possible uses.

Disinfection

Many types of bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and the like, exist and thrive in an oxygen-deprived environment. When these are brought into contact with oxygen, they die. This makes Hydrogen Peroxide a viable product for disinfection.

• Hydrogen Peroxide vs Bleach – However, when comparing it to Bleach or Chlorine, bleach is likely a more effective disinfectant, especially when dealing with major bacteria issues. This is because Peroxide, on a surface, will release oxygen and disinfect, but when all of the oxygen is released, it becomes just harmless water that isn’t doing anything. Pockets of bacteria could be missed entirely. The choice ultimately depends on what you are doing. For example, if you are disinfecting tile in a potentially very germy public restroom, bleach is stronger and would likely be more effective at removing greater bacteria buildup- in an area where its whitening superpower won’t hurt anything. However, if you are spraying in a home setting where the solution may get on plants (for example), bleach is more likely to harm the plants, and Peroxide may be your better choice.

• Hydrogen Peroxide vs Isopropyl Alcohol – Rubbing Alcohol (IPA), is a fantastic, fast-acting, EPA-approved disinfectant- and our pick over Peroxide, for use in settings where it makes sense to use it. It needs to be used in concentrations of 62% or greater to be effective. See also: What Chemicals are Used to Disinfect?

Stain Removal / Bleaching

Oxygen is able to destroy color molecules… but it doesn’t always. Due to its gentler nature, Hydrogen Peroxide is a preferred bleaching product for use on certain textiles (over Chlorine). If you are going to use Peroxide on colored clothes, test a small, hidden area first, to be sure it won’t negatively affect the color you want to keep.

• Hydrogen Peroxide vs Bleach – If you are trying to destroy color molecules and/or remove stains, both Bleach and Peroxide are options. Although they work by different methods, the use of either can net the same or a similar result. The same fabric and the same stain may not react the same with Chlorine bleach as with Hydrogen Peroxide, so if you are trying to figure out which is best for your specific situation, this may be a process of trial and error. You may have one stain in one fabric that bleaches out really well with Chlorine, and a different stain on a different fabric that bleaches out really well with Peroxide.

For a General Surface Cleaner

You can use Hydrogen Peroxide as a general surface cleaner, as long as you approach it with the mindset that it is probably not going to remove actual dirt as well as something with a surfactant (i.e. soap).

For Bathrooms

The main benefit Peroxide would have in a bathroom setting is its disinfectant ability. It won’t be great for removing soap scum, hard water deposits, and a variety of other cleaning challenges that may be found in this setting. While Peroxide certainly can be used in bathrooms in areas where you are trying to disinfect, be aware that, because of the variety of cleaning challenges commonly found in bathrooms, another product (one designed for this) may be a better choice.

For Jewelry

Sterilizing jewelry with Peroxide may work, but keep in mind that oxygen also corrodes ferrous (iron-containing) metals and causes them to rust.

For Tile Grout

Hydrogen Peroxide can help eliminate stains on tile grout, but test a small area first for colorfastness.

For Fats, Oils, or Grease Removal

Hydrogen Peroxide does not remove fats, oils, or greases from surfaces. If you spray peroxide on them, likely the bubbling reaction will start, as the oxygen is released. However, the oxygen exposure does not offer any cleaning benefit.

For Electronics

Avoid trying to clean electronics with Peroxide. Since it is mostly water, it is far more likely to damage the electronic components than other products (such as a quick-evaporating Isopropyl Alcohol).

Hydrogen Peroxide should not be used on any surface that could be damaged by oxygen or oxidation, i.e. metals or unsealed/untreated wood floors.

How Hydrogen Peroxide Works

As mentioned, when cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide, the idea is usually to expose a surface or area to oxygen.

First, let’s take a look at the chemical reaction that happens when the oxygen is released:

2 H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) → 2 H2O (Water) + O2 (Oxygen gas)

When Hydrogen Peroxide comes into contact with many different types of substances, it is quick to decompose, breaking down into water and oxygen gas. If you’ve ever used a 3% HP solution to disinfect a wound, it bubbles and bubbles…. and bubbles! This is the chemical reaction that is happening. This reaction can be started by many things, such as contact with enzymes in your skin, or increasing exposure to light or heat. The oxygen-oxygen bond in the Peroxide molecule is not very strong, which is why it is more susceptible to breaking apart than the other bonds in the molecule.

Exposing things to Oxygen is called ‘oxidation’.

This oxygen-cleaning power is used in two main ways: bleaching and disinfection. But, how exactly does it work? How does oxidizing germs or color molecules change them so that they end up either – dead, or colorless?

Okay, so the molecule breaks apart, releases the oxygen gas, and then… the gas comes into contact with a color molecule.

Now what? Well, in this case, the oxygen removes electrons from the color molecule, which can cause bonds to break, and the color molecule to change structurally- this is what changes the color. For germs and bacteria, basically, the oxygen overwhelms the bacteria’s defense mechanisms with ‘oxidative stress’, and it dies.

…clearly, for cleaning purposes, we harness the destructive power of oxygen- as opposed to the ‘sustainer of life’ power!

How to Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide

The only concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide suitable to use for cleaning purposes is the dilute 3% solution found at most grocery stores. Stronger concentrations should never be used, as they present hazards that would be dangerous to persons not specially trained to deal with them.

To clean with Hydrogen Peroxide, we recommend putting it into a spray bottle to spray onto the surfaces you are trying to either disinfect or bleach. You do not need to dilute it. Another option is to leave it in the brown bottle that it comes in, and screw a spray head from a clean, empty spray bottle to the top of that in place of the cap. Exposure to light may speed decomposition, and this method may help prevent that.

For stain removal- After the product is in contact with the surface, let it sit until you (hopefully) achieve the desired results.

For disinfection- If you are wondering how long hydrogen peroxide needs to sit to disinfect, this is a question that does not have an absolute answer, as it may never completely disinfect a surface to which it is applied. As mentioned before, it only works as well as it does, and pockets of bacteria can be missed entirely, after the oxygen has all bubbled out and it has become harmless water. If you want to kill the most germs possible, let it sit until the oxygen has all fizzled out. There is not a huge amount of oxygen available in a 3% solution, so it can take time to work. You do not need to rinse after cleaning with Peroxide, since what’s left behind is water.

Obviously, other store-bought products that may contain Hydrogen Peroxide as an active ingredient should be used as directed.

We do not recommend mixing other products (i.e. baking soda, etc) with the solution, unless you are trained and have an understanding of the hazards of what you are working with. There are interaction possibilities present that may offer more risk than reward.

Is it Safe to Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide?

Cleaning with a dilute 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution is relatively safe. Cleaning with higher concentrations is much less likely to be safe, and as mentioned before, we strongly advise against it.

As with other cleaning chemicals, handle with care (even at dilute concentrations). We recommend making sure your eyes and hands are protected by wearing appropriate protective equipment, possibly including the use of gloves and/or protective eyewear. 

If you need to dispose a small amount of the 3% solution, it is okay to dump it down the drain. If you have a larger quantity or greater concentration, consult your local city/state/county ordinances. Hydrogen Peroxide does not really have an expiration date, as long as it is stored properly.

For Individuals: Are you interested in learning more about other chemicals and how to clean with them? Wondering if, say Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar is better for your cleaning application? See our ‘Cleaning with Chemicals’ blog category for in-depth information on a variety of chemicals!

For Businesses: Do you have an industrial cleaning challenge, and need some advice on what chemical you should use? Get in contact with a representative, today! We’re happy to help!