Before I started my cleaning service, the only antiseptics, antibacterials, antifungals I knew were Dettol and friends. The only bleaching agent I knew was Jik. The only disinfectant cleaner I knew was methylated spirit. Things changed when I decided to go on a hunt for environmentally friendly cleaning products. Enter Hydrogen Peroxide, my new best friend. What can it do for you? Question is, what can't it do for you?!Perhaps we should delve into its chemical properties: 2 parts Hydrogen, 2 parts Oxygen (H2O2). With this composition you can pretty much guess that it looks like water, only a little viscous. The two Oxygen molecules this make it a powerful oxidising agent that acts as a bleach and antibacterial. Period. This is not chemistry lesson. I scored a C+ in my KCSE Chemistry back in the day. Let's move on to why you should get yourself a bottle.
In Your Mouth
All the bottles I've come across in our local supermarkets promote Hydrogen Peroxide as an antiseptic to be used EXTERNALLY. This could be terribly confusing, but it only means that you must NOT ingest it. Diluted H2O2 is a great mouthwash, like betadine. Not only does it kill bacteria and improve your breath, it can also serve as a teeth whitener due to its bleaching properties. So go ahead and make your own anti-bacterial, teeth whitening toothpaste with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda. Gargle diluted H2O2 to help deal with mouth sores. Always use in dilute form in your mouth. Excess H2O2 can irritate the skin in there and excessive use may also get rid of the good bacteria. Read the label!
Cuts and Wounds
I don't know any person that enjoys the sting of methylated spirit on a fresh wound or cut. Here's some good news friends, no more stings with Hydrogen Peroxide. It cleans fresh wounds and cuts just like betadine. What about when you have to remove an old dressing from a wound? Simply soak it with diluted Hydrogen Peroxide and leave it for a few minutes then remove the dressing. It's ouch-free. Your child will think you just added water, so you can keep the screaming to a minimum. Keep one in your first aid kit right now.
Bleaching
Going green? Then you might want to stop using chlorine based bleach, you can now use Hydrogen Peroxide among other green bleaching products. Want to add some highlights to your hair? H2O2. Thats the clear liquid that comes with your hair dye. You could use it as a spot cleaner on light clothes and to regain brightness on white grout. As with all 'green' bleach products, you will use more amounts than chlorine based bleach. It also needs more dwell time to take effect. Incidentally, while doing this article, I have had to use H2O2 to spot clean our bedsheets; a clot came off my husband foot which resulted in some bloody bedsheet graffiti.
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| It wasn't exactly a crime scene, but I hate blood stains! |
Disinfectant Cleaner
How old is your toothbrush? We are told to buy a new toothbrush every 3 months because toothbrushes accumulate bacteria. Well, I won't. I will simply disinfect my toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide as I go for another 3 months. If you already use other disinfectants for your surfaces, here's a good one for your kitchen. Due to its non-toxic character, you can use Hydrogen Peroxide to disinfect reusable food bags, your counter tops and also to clean your chopping board. Last Christmas I chopped up some nyama choma on my mum's chopping board in shagz. Let's just say the nyamchom went out quicker and hotter than went in! Chopping boards harbour bacteria within its crevices.
The list is endless really. I've covered just a tiny dose of what you ought to know about the household uses for Hydrogen Peroxide. So do some homework and discover a whole world of benefits out there. If this was another blog, we could be talking about H2O2 in rocket science. Kweli kabisa. For now, keep a small bottle in your pantry, away from your baby's reach and you can always count on it for your cleaning purposes. I know household cleaning is not for everybody; so don't be afraid to ask for help.
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