Cleaning
By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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Updated on 07/18/23
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Reviewed byRhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching.
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Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are natural, non-toxic ways to clean many surfaces in your home. The two products can be safely combined or used separately to whiten laundry, remove odors, disinfect surfaces, and much more.
With just these two products you probably have on hand, you'll discover these 10 ways to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to clean your home.
Warning
Hydrogen peroxide can irritate eyes, skin, and is toxic if ingested. Wear protective gloves when cleaning with hydrogen peroxide.
01 of 10
Whiten Yellowed Laundry
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that will whiten dull and yellowed white laundry.
- Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washer drum before adding the water and laundry.
- The hydrogen peroxide can also be placed in the automatic bleach dispenser of the washer where it will be dispersed into the wash cycle.
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02 of 10
Remove Laundry Odors With Baking Soda
Baking soda acts as a deodorizer to remove laundry odors by balancing the pH in water.
- For strong laundry odors like sweat, cigarette smoke, or greasy kitchens, create a pre-soak by dissolving 1 or 2 cups of baking soda in some warm water.
- Fill the washer tub or a large sink with cool water and add the dissolved baking soda.
- Add the stinky laundry and allow it to soak overnight and then wash as usual.
For stale, smelling garments that can't be washed:
- Place the smelly items in a sealable plastic storage tub with an open box of baking soda.
- Check for freshness after at least 24 hours—longer is better.
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03 of 10
Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Sanitize Beauty Tools
Each time you use tweezers, manicure or pedicure tools, and eyelash curlers, they come in contact with body soil and bacteria.
- Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into a bowl to sanitize the tools.
- Submerge the tools for 15-20 seconds and then rinse in warm water.
- Dry with a microfiber towel.
- You can also dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide to wipe down combs and hairbrushes.
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04 of 10
Remove Carpet Odors With Baking Soda
Baking soda can help brighten and freshen carpet fibers.
- Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet or area rug.
- Spritz the carpet with a spray bottle filled with cool water. The carpet should be very damp, but not sopping wet.
- Use a scrub brush to work the baking soda deeper into the carpet fibers. Go in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle to help lift the soil.
- Use old towels or rags to wipe away the loosened soil. It is fine to leave a bit of baking soda in the fibers.
- Allow the carpet to air-dry.
- Do not walk on the carpet while it is damp. If you must use the room, put down plastic walking paths.
- When the carpet is dry, vacuum to remove any remaining baking soda from the fibers.
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05 of 10
Remove Stains From Silicone Baking Mats and Molds
Use baking soda to remove sticky residue from silicone bakeware.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and place the silicone item directly on an oven rack.
- Bake for 10 minutes to soften the residue.
- Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the silicone and dampen it with hot water.
- Sprinkle the items with enough baking soda to make a paste over the surfaces.
- Allow the baking soda paste to dry completely.
- Fill a sink with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
- Wash the silicone pieces with a non-abrasive sponge.
- Rinse in warm water and dry thoroughly.
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from silicone bakeware.
- Place the bakeware in a sink and add enough 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to cover the stained area.
- Let it soak for 24 hours.
- Rinse well before using it.
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06 of 10
Make a DIY Grout Cleaner
Add the mild bleaching action of hydrogen peroxide to the gentle abrasive action of baking soda to clean grout.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
- Use a sponge to apply the mixture to the grout.
- Let it work for at least 10 minutes.
- Use a grout brush to scrub the grout lines.
- Wipe away the mixture with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth.
- Rinse well with a stream of water or a clean cloth.
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07 of 10
Degrease Baking Sheets
To remove grease and baked-on grime from baking sheets, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the baking sheet so it is about 1/8-inch thick. Don't forget the edges.
- Using a spray bottle, spritz the sheet with hydrogen peroxide. Spray until the baking soda is damp but not soupy.
- Allow the mixture to remain on the baking sheet overnight or at least 8 hours.
- Use a plastic scraper or spatula to lift the sticky mess.
- Use the abrasive side of a sponge to wipe away any clinging particles.
- Wash the baking sheet in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry.
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08 of 10
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.
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09 of 10
Laundry Stain Remover for White Clothes
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent to remove discoloration from white and light-colored fabrics. Combining it with dishwashing liquid that contains a degreasing agent makes an effective laundry stain remover.
- Use a dark-colored glass or opaque plastic spray bottle to help keep the hydrogen peroxide stable.
- Using a funnel, add 2 parts hydrogen peroxide (1 cup) and 1 part dishwashing liquid (1/2 cup) to the spray bottle.
- Seal the bottle and shake to mix.
- Add a label and usage directions.
- To use, spray the stain remover on the stained area and work it in with a soft-bristled brush or your fingers. Let it work for 5 or 10 minutes and then wash the garment as usual.
Warning
Do not use this mixture on dark-colored clothing because it can cause unstable dyes to fade.
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10 of 10
Remove Mold Stains from Walls
While chlorine bleach is the most effective mold killer, you can use hydrogen peroxide to kill mold and lighten stains. It does work more slowly and may require multiple applications. As with any mold removal treatment, wear protective eyewear and a mask and improve ventilation while you are cleaning.
- The undiluted hydrogen peroxide can be applied with a spray bottle or a sponge.
- Start at the bottom of the mold colony and work your way up to help prevent the spores from spreading and the stain from streaking more of the wall.
- The surface of the wall should be fully wet but not oversaturated to prevent damage to the drywall.
- Wipe away the visible mold. Do not rinse the wall.
- Allow the surface to air-dry completely and then repeat the treatment if needed.
FAQ
What happens when you combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a weak acid and baking soda (NaHCO3) is a base compound. When you combine the two, there is an exothermic reaction that generates carbon dioxide gasses. The reaction helps break apart grease and organic stain molecules to make them easier to remove from surfaces.
Are there products that should not be combined with hydrogen peroxide?
Combining vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same container creates 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 to create cleaning solutions to remove stains.
The Best DIY Oven Cleaner Recipes to Get Rid of Grime
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
ToxFAQs for Hydrogen Peroxide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How Infections Spread.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hawley, B., Casey, M., Virji, MA., Cummings, KJ., Johnson, A., Cox-Ganser, J.Respiratory Symptoms in Hospital Cleaning Staff Exposed to a Product Containing Hydrogen Peroxide, Peracetic Acid, and Acetic Acid.Annals of Work Exposure and Health, 62,1,28-40, 2017, doi:10.1093/annweh/wxx087