Well, we have hit day 140 of Our Green Year and are heading head-long into fall. We spent a very busy weekend helping to put on a community festival in our town, but our work week (from home of course) begins again as we move further into Our Green Year.While doing some web surfing last week, I came across stories of how many people have used hydrogen peroxide for various household tasks, instead of chemicals that can be damaging to our health and our environment. Hydrogen Peroxide is very good for the environment since it is composed only of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Once out in the environment, it breaks down into oxygen and hydrogen, two plentiful and beneficial elements in Earth's eco-system.
So, what are the uses of hydrogen peroxide in the home? Here are just a few we will be trying. (We will be reusing the plastic bottle it came in)
- If you put a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the washer (or wash tub as we now use) instead of chlorine bleach, you will get results that are just as good.
- With a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and tap water, in a 50/50 mixture, you can spray your counters and sanitize them to keep them germ free. You should only mix what you will use at that time, otherwise the light will break down the molecule. You can also soak your fingernails and toenails in this type of mixture to kill fungus.
- Many people use mouthwash and tooth whiteners that contain many chemicals, however hydrogen peroxide is a great alternative. Put a teaspoon of three percent strength hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for five to ten minutes every day, and you will whiten your teeth. You can also put your toothbrush into the hydrogen peroxide mixture to get rid of bacteria on the brush. Use a 50/50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash as well.
- Lastly, it can be used on your house plants to make them grow green and lush. Mix an ounce of hydrogen peroxide into a cup of water and spray it on your houseplants.
