How to Clean Your Home with Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide

 

If you know us, you know how much we love to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in our cleaning. Both of these are natural, non-toxic products you can use to clean many surfaces around your home. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can actually be safely combined or used separately to whiten laundry, remove odors, disinfect surfaces, and much more.

 

With just those two products you likely have on hand, you’ll be able to get a good amount of cleaning done around your house. To help you out, we’ve put together 10 hacks you can use to simplify your cleaning routine. Read up on these tips and tricks below!

 

Note: One thing you should remember before you get started with any of the tips and tricks below is that hydrogen peroxide can seriously irritate your eyes and skin and is actually very toxic if ingested. Please be careful and be sure to wear protective gloves when cleaning with hydrogen peroxide.

 

Hack #1: Whiten Yellowed Laundry

 

Hydrogen peroxide can actually be used as a mild bleach that can help to whiten dull and yellowed white laundry. Here is how to properly use hydrogen peroxide so you don’t damage your clothing:

• Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to your washer drum, or in the detergent tray in place of chlorine bleach, before adding the water and laundry.
• Run your washer on the hottest cycle, or on a specific whites cycle if you are able, for the best results.

 

Hack #2: Remove Laundry Odors

 

 

Baking soda can be a pretty effective deodorizer when it comes to removing laundry odors as it can actually balance the pH in the water. Here is what you do:

• When dealing with strong laundry odors like sweat, cigarette smoke, or greasy kitchens, you can create a pre-soak by dissolving 1 or 2 cups of baking soda in warm water.
• Fill your washer tub or your sink with warm water and add the proper amount of dissolved baking soda.
• Mix the solution well and then add the stinky laundry and allow it to soak overnight and then wash as usual.

For stale-smelling, delicate garments that can’t be washed, here is what you can do:

• Place the smelly items in a sealable plastic storage tub (like tupperware) with an open box of baking soda or just a generous amount of the powder sprinkled inside.
• Seal the container and allow it to sit for 24 hours or for up to 2 days. Check for freshness after at least 24 hours but remember that the longer it sits is better.

 

Hack #3: Sanitize Beauty Tools

 

 

Each time you use your tweezers, manicure or pedicure tools, and eyelash curlers, they can pick up and collect body soil and bacteria, GROSS! The smartest thing to do now is to disinfect and clean your tools, so here is how to do that:

• Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into a bowl that is just big enough to fully submerge your largest beauty tool.
• Place all of your tools in the hydrogen peroxide and submerge the tools for 15-30 seconds.
• Rinse the tools under warm water and then dry them with a clean microfiber towel.
• For more detailed cleaning and disinfecting, you can dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide to wipe down your tools.
• When you clean your combs, hair and make up brushes, you can add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the warm water you use to clean them for an added boost.

 

Hack #4: Remove Carpet Odors

 

This is our favorite cleaning hack and we swear by it for our clients! It is hardly a secret, but baking soda can help brighten and freshen carpet fibers. Here’s what to do:

• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on your carpet or area rug, focusing specifically on high-traffic areas.
• Next, spritz your carpet with a spray bottle filled with cool water so that the carpet is lightly damp, but not soaking wet.
• Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to work the baking soda deeper into the carpet fibers. Be sure to scrub your carpet in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle to help lift the soil and odors.
• Use some old towels or rags to wipe away any debris that was loosened when scrubbing, but remember that its fine to leave a bit of baking soda in the fibers.
• Allow the carpet to fully air-dry, this could take a few hours depending on how wet the carpet is. Do your best to avoid walking on the carpet while it is damp and use plastic walking paths if necessary.
• When the carpet is completely dry, vacuum the entire area thoroughly to remove any remaining baking soda and debris from the fibers.

 

Hack #5: Remove Soap Scum from Fiberglass Shower Fixtures

 

Soap scum loves to accumulate on fiberglass tubs and shower stalls. While durable and cost-effective, fiberglass finishes cannot stand up to harsh cleaners and abrasive scouring pads. So make your own powerful, yet gently abrasive, cleaner with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

• Make a paste of one cup of baking soda and one-fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide. (you may need to double the recipe for a large enclosure)
• Spread the mixture on the fiberglass with a sponge.
• Allow the mixture to work for at least 30 minutes.
• Start at the top of the shower stall or tub and use a non-abrasive sponge to remove the grime.
• Rinse the fiberglass well and dry it with a microfiber towel to prevent water spots.

 

Hack #6: Make a DIY Grout Cleaner

 

When you add hydrogen peroxide to the gentle abrasive action of baking soda, you can actually make a pretty effective whitening agent for cleaning tile grout around your home. Give it a try with this hack:

• Mx 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap in a small mixing bowl.
• Use a sponge or an old toothbrush to apply the mixture to the grout and leave it to work for about 10 minutes.
• Use a grout brush to scrub the grout lines and then wipe the mixture from the grout with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth.
• Rinse the grout well with a stream of water from a spray bottle or with a clean damp cloth.

 

Hack #7: Degrease Baking Sheets

 

Did you know you can remove grease and baked-on grime from baking sheets by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? Here’s what to do:

• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda around the entire surface of your baking sheet so it is about 1/8-inch thick.
• Use a spray bottle to spritz the baking soda-covered sheet with hydrogen peroxide until the baking soda is damp but not liquified.
• Allow the mixture to remain on the baking sheet overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
• Use a plastic scraper or spatula to lift and remove the sticky mess, then use the abrasive side of a sponge to wipe away any clinging particles.
• Wash the baking sheet in hot, soapy water thoroughly before rinsing and drying.

 

Check out Taste of Home’s step by step guide on how to clean baking sheets with just baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and a little elbow grease.

 

 

Hack #8: Remove Stains from Silicone Baking Mats & Molds

 

You can actually use baking soda to remove that annoying sticky residue from silicone bakeware. Here’s what you do:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and then place the silicone mat or tray directly on an oven rack.
• Bake the silicone for about 10 minutes to soften the residue. Be careful not to leave the silicone for too long as it will melt.
• Cover your hand with an oven mitt, and then carefully remove the silicone and rinse it with hot water. While the items are still warm and wet, sprinkle them with enough baking soda to make a sort of paste on the surfaces. Once the whole surface is covered, leave the baking soda paste to dry completely.
• Fill your sink with warm water and mix in a few drops of dishwashing liquid then wash the silicone pieces with a gentle sponge. Rinse the items in clean warm water and dry them thoroughly.

Once your silicone items have been cleaned, you can actually use some hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from silicone bakeware. Here’s how:

• Place the silicone bakeware in your sink and pour enough 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to cover the stained area.
• Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on the silicone for up to 24 hours.
• Rinse and wash the item thoroughly before using it.

 

Hack #9: Laundry Stain Remover for White Clothes

 

 

Hydrogen peroxide can actually be used as a mild bleaching agent to remove discoloration from white and light-colored fabrics. When you combine it with dishwashing liquid it makes a super effective laundry stain remover. Here’s how to use this mixture properly:

• Using a funnel, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and ½ a cup of dishwashing soap to a spray bottle. Remember to use a dark-colored glass or opaque plastic spray bottle to help keep the hydrogen peroxide stable.
• Seal the bottle and shake it well to mix the solution. We suggest adding a label and usage directions so that you don’t forget what the bottle is.
• To use, spray the solution directly on the stained area and gently rub it in with a soft-bristled brush or with your fingers. Leave it to work for 5 or 10 minutes and then you can wash the garment as usual.

Note: Do not use this mixture on dark-colored clothing because it can cause colored dyes to fade.

 

Hack #10: Remove Mold Stains from Walls

 

While chlorine bleach is generally the most effective mold killer, you can actually use hydrogen peroxide to kill mold and even lighten stains. Unfortunately, this does work more slowly and may require multiple applications but it is a safe and less harsh alternative. Here is what you can do:

Note: As with any mold removal process, please remember to wear protective eyewear and a mask and improve ventilation while you are cleaning.

• Starting at the bottom of the mold colony, work your way up to help prevent the spores from spreading and the stain from streaking more of the wall. Undiluted hydrogen peroxide can be applied to a moldy area with a spray bottle or a sponge.
• The surface of the wall should be fully wet but not oversaturated so as to prevent any damage to the drywall.
• Leave the hydrogen peroxide for just a few minutes to soak into the affected area and then wipe away the visible mold. Do not use water to rinse the wall, you should only use a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
• Allow the surface to completely air-dry and then repeat the treatment as needed if there is remaining mold or stains.

 

FAQs

 

What happens when you combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide?

When you combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, there is an exothermic reaction that generates carbon dioxide gasses. To get scientific, hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid and baking soda is a base compound. The reaction that results can help break apart grease and organic molecules to make stains and grease easier to remove from many surfaces.

 

Are there products that should not be combined with hydrogen peroxide?

One of the most common products to avoid combining with hydrogen peroxide is distilled white vinegar. Combining vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same container will create peracetic acid, a corrosive and lung-irritating substance.

 

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap?

Yes! It is perfectly safe to mix hydrogen peroxide and mild soaps like Dawn to create cleaning solutions to remove stains. We actually encourage it to create effective stain-fighting treatments.

 

For more tips, tricks, and hacks to help you clean your home, check out our blog or contact us today to find out how we can help you keep your space clean and healthy all year long.

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