Here Are 15 Reasons Why Mom Always Kept Hydrogen Peroxide on Hand

I remember hydrogen peroxide as something my mother would always use to clean a cut before bandaging me up as a kid, so I guess I always assumed that was its sole purpose. I could not have been more wrong. Now it seems like hydrogen peroxide is more or less like a miracle solution, able to do so many more things than I ever would have anticipated! If you’re looking for a household remedy, consider hydrogen peroxide’s list of accomplishments below that we’ve aggregated from around the web.

Remove Stains From Clothing

You know those gross, yellow underarm stains on your white t-shirts? Don’t lie, everyone gets them. Many suggest that you can banish your unsightly stains by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide before the wash. Have you tried this? Does it work?
Brighten Dingy Floors

My kitchen could use this especially. It’s been suggested that you can combine hydrogen peroxide with a gallon of hot water and say hello to sparkling new floors. Have you used it to clean dirty floors? Let us know!
Help Your Plants Grow

Ward off fungus by adding a little hydrogen peroxide to your plant’s diet. Add a touch to the water the next time you’re feeding them.

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Add Natural Highlights

Yes way. Combine 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water, then spritz the solution on your hair and comb through for soft, natural highlights.
Get Pesticides Off Food

To get dirt and chemicals off your fruits, add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to a sink of cold water. Make sure to rinse your veggies in just cold water afterwards.

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Clean Your Countertop

A perfect germ killer (especially right after you’ve used, say, raw meat) hydrogen peroxide cleans cooking surfaces wonderfully.
Get Perfect Pearly Whites

You’ve probably heard you can use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash – it’s a handy trick! Combine 50% hydrogen peroxide to 50% water and you’ve got cheap mouthwash to get your teeth nice and white.

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Wipe Down Your Fridge or Dishwasher

Because it’s non-toxic, hydrogen peroxide is the perfect thing to use on those sticky messes around your food.
Whiten Bathtub Grout

Make sure the tub is dry, then spray a good helping of hydrogen peroxide on all your gross grout. Let it bubble and sit for a while, then scrub it away with an old toothbrush for a sparkling clean shower!
Get Rid of Pimples

Breaking out? Dab some hydrogen peroxide on your acne or pimples and let it clear away your blemishes!

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Remove Ear Wax

Banish that gross earwax with hydrogen peroxide. Mix a solution of 3% with olive oil or almond oil and put a few drops in your clogged ears. Make sure to add the hydrogen peroxide second. After a few minutes, tilt your head to clear the wax.
Perfect Your Feet

Looking to ward off foot fungus? Soaking your feet in a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water will not only prevent fungus, but it will soften calluses as well
Clean Musty Towels

Everyone has those perfectly good towels that have acquired that gross, musty smell. Don’t throw them away! Add 1/2 cup of peroxide and 1/2 cup of vinegar to your wash, let the towels sit in the solution for 15 minutes, then clean as usual for lovely smelling towels.

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Clean Aquariums

No, it won’t hurt the fish! Using peroxide will help control the fungus in your fish tank, but you should only use the solution periodically for this purpose.
De-Skunk Solution

Got sprayed? Yikes. Luckily, there is a peroxide solution! Combine 1 quart 3% H2O2, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dish detergent, and 2 quarts warm water to get rid of that nasty smell.