Don't Make This Mistake When Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Around The House

Hydrogen peroxide can be a great cleaning supply to have on hand. Some of the ways to use hydrogen peroxide in your home include to clean and disinfect floors, remove grime from bathroom grout, and eliminate laundry stains. It's also considered safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Despite this, don't make the mistake of thinking that hydrogen peroxide is harmless. Ingesting this clear liquid or letting your skin come into contact with it needs to be avoided at all costs. If it touches the skin, it can cause severe irritation, burning, and blisters, and it can also turn your skin white. If ingested, it may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause nausea, vomiting, haematemesis, and foaming at the mouth.

Many people have used hydrogen peroxide as a solution for cuts, scrapes, and other skin wounds in the past, but this is no longer recommended. In fact, doing this may prevent rather than promote healing. Because it has been used so widely for cuts and scrapes in recent decades, many people still believe that it doesn't cause any harm if it comes into contact with the skin while cleaning. However, although irritation is especially common with high concentrations of above 10% hydrogen peroxide, mild irritation can occur even with small concentrations between 3% to 5%.

Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide can be useful, but be careful and always wear gloves. Disposable latex gloves made of neoprene or nitrile butyl rubber are especially effective for protection. In addition to protecting your hands, ensure that it doesn't touch other parts of your skin or splash into your eyes or mouth and get swallowed.

Like with other dangerous household items, keep hydrogen peroxide out of the reach of kids and pets. Ensure that it is stored in a cool, shaded area without natural light and in a non-translucent container. Keep it in a ventilated location away from heat sources and anything flammable. Remember that hydrogen peroxide may only last as long as six months after opening it or three years unopened. It will break down over time, and you can tell because there won't be any fizz or bubbling when pouring it. The product won't be any more dangerous, but it won't be as effective for cleaning.

Also, keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is one of the household cleaning products that shouldn't be mixed with vinegar. This would create peracetic acid, which can irritate the skin and eyes and harm the respiratory system. This mixture is also corrosive to surfaces, so it would be counterproductive to use it for cleaning. However, both can be added to the same surface as long as you take the time to wipe it clean between uses.