Do you want to sanitize your house? All you need is this one, safe product

Amongst all the household products used to keep a house clean and sanitized, hydrogen peroxide (HP) certainly stands out. More versatile and delicate than vinegar, HP is not as abrasive as bicarbonate (baking soda), and can even remove mold. In short, adding HP to your arsenal of "cleaning tools" is recommended. But where can we actually use HP?

Where can you use hydrogen peroxide at home?

Creativo

There are multiple surfaces that you must clean regularly, and HP is perfect for this. 3% (10 volumes) HP is the recommended type to use for general household cleaning.

HP can be used to clean the following:

• Kitchen worktops: for these, dilute HP with the same amount of water (ie. 50/50), pour into a spray bottle and spray on the surfaces. Leave to disinfect for at least 5 minutes, then, wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Floors: in this case just add one cap of 3% HP to a bucket of water. You can also add a drop of dishwashing soap or Marseille soap. Don't overdo the detergent as it will produce too much foam (which will leave streaks).
• Bathrooms: you can use 3% HP to disinfect bathroom fixtures, bathtubs and showers. DO NOT use it on marble or granite.
• Refrigerator: a 50/50 HP to water solution can be used to wipe down fridge shelves and other internal parts. 
• Garbage bins: after washing out with a little soap and water, spray HP into the bin, leave for 5 -10 minutes and then use a cloth to dry off.

Surfaces to avoid using hydrogen peroxide on

Creativo

HP is a mild sanitizer, but there are some surfaces it's best not to use it on:

• Metals: HP can corrode some metals, so it is best to avoid using it on surfaces such as stainless steel, aluminum or brass. And if you insist, clean metals with HP infrequently.
• Wood: HP can bleach wood, so it is not recommended for use on wooden furniture or floors.
• Colored fabrics: HP can bleach fabrics, so it is best to avoid using it neat on colored clothes, carpets or curtains. If you do use it for laundering, always dilute it with water and reduce contact time. 

Other useful tips for the correct use of hydrogen peroxide at home

• Although it is a not very corrosive liquid, if you use HP often, it is preferable to do so while wearing gloves.
• As for storing, it is important to keep HP in non-transparent bottles, in the dark (ie. inside closed closets/drawers).
• Remember to rinse off the surfaces cleaned with HP afer the necessary contact time.
• If in doubt, do a test on a hidden spot of the item to be treated with HP first. Also check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
• Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.

In short, you should find HP a great aid for cleaning your house!