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?
Commonly, Hydrogen Peroxide is used for bleaching/stain removal for textiles.
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 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.
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. The bubbly reaction can be started by many things, such as 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 for stain removal. But, how exactly does it work? How does oxidizing color molecules change them so that they end up colorless?
Okay, so the molecule breaks apart, releases the oxygen gas, and then… the gas comes into contact with the 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.
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 textiles you are trying to 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 (with a 3% solution) – After the product is in contact with the surface, let it sit until you (hopefully) achieve the desired results.
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!
