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I never fully appreciated 3% hydrogen peroxide until recently. My husband uses if for multiple uses around the house and would buy it by the gallon if he could. He swears by its magical powers and advocates for the liquid’s ability to clean without leaving dangerous residue or toxic fumes.

As I bought several bottles of the power cleaner during a recent buy-one-get-one-free sale, I wondered what other uses this liquid might have, and here’s the list I came up with.

1. Remove laundry stains

Pre-treat stained white fabrics with hydrogen peroxide before laundering the stained items. The peroxide works like bleach, without the fumes, as it removes stains, brightens whites and disinfects laundry.

2. Lift baked-on grease from pots and pans.

When you combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste, it easily rubs onto dirty pans. Allow it to sit for an hour or two, and then scrub the pan with warm water and a scrubby sponge. The nasty baked-on food will easily lift off, and your baking dishes will sparkle like new.

3. Highlight your hair

Mix a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water solution, and then spray it on your hair to create highlights.

4. Cut grease and sanitize dishes.

Simply add 2 ounces of it to your dishwasher detergent or to your regular dish soap bottle, and wash dishes as usual.

5. Extend the life of your salad greens

One-half cup of water combines with one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide prevents wilting and preserves your leftover salad.

6. Use it to kill bacteria in your mouth

When you brush your teeth with a hydrogen peroxide, salt and baking soda paste, it kills bacteria and whitens your teeth. Mix it with water to freshen your breath.

7. Disinfect cutting boards, sponges and toothbrushes

Pour a small amount on your cutting board, and let the bubbles fizz for a few minutes. Then, wash and rinse your cutting board as normal. Likewise, soak your sponges in a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water. They’ll be clean and ready to rinse and use after 10 minutes. Clean your toothbrushes too. After every use, and especially after an illness, soak your brushes in full strength hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and clean them.

8. Clean the shower

Spray the shower surfaces with hydrogen peroxide, and kill viruses and bacteria. It also removes soap scum and mildew from shower curtains when you wash the curtains with your bath towels and regular detergent followed by one cup of full strength hydrogen peroxide during the rinse cycle.

9. Clear acne

One dab of hydrogen peroxide dries pimples and helps to clear your skin.

10. Remove ear wax

Add a few drops of olive or almond oil to your ear and follow it with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Wait a few minutes, and then tilt your head. The solution and wax drain out.

11. De-skunk your pets

That obnoxious odor is no match for a mixture of one-quart hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon Dawn dish detergent, one-quarter cup baking soda and two quarts warm water.

12. Reduce fungus

When you spritz your plants with water and hydrogen peroxide, fungus won’t grow on your prized flowers and vegetables. The same mixture kills foot fungus and aquarium fungi (use sparingly to protect the fish).

With all these benefits, I think I’ll jump onto the hydrogen peroxide bandwagon. From now on, I’ll attach squeeze nozzles onto several bottles and store them in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. What’s your favorite way to use hydrogen peroxide?

By Jen T., Free Stuff Finder Contributor