Hydrogen Peroxide Does It All

According to news reports, hydrogen peroxide purchased at drug stores in the 3% strength is a cure-all for just about everything. But is it real or is this just another urban legend? Some will say teeth are whiter after gargling with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water, just don't swallow it. Blood stains on a shirt collar or other fabric? Hydrogen peroxide will "eat" the blood and remove the spot, learned while attending an attempted murder trial and listening to the prosecution's case. Keep mirrors and windows spotless with full strength peroxide that won't streak. The 3% solution seems to be a fast fix for many problems, and you may have some of them so read on.

The Center for Disease Control cautions against drinking it, but why would you? "Ingestion of dilute solutions of hydrogen peroxide may result in vomiting, mild gastrointestinal irritation, gastric distension, and on rare occasions, gastrointestinal erosions or embolism (blockage of blood vessels by air bubbles). "

Is this real or simply an urban legend? Used to kill bacteria, peroxide can be poured over tooth brushes after each use, used to clean counter tops, and poured on cuts and abrasions. Since it is the weaker 3% solution, hydrogen peroxide will kill germs, but it won't be "the sudden death answer to all germs" like chlorine bleach, and it also doesn't have the powerful odor or color removing properties. Pour peroxide on the item to be cleaned and let it soak for 5-10 minutes to allow the oxygenating bubble action to work. Adding a cup of peroxide to a load of white laundry, along with laundry soap, actually does whiten items, remove deodorant residue, and clean better then non-peroxided loads. Though it is dangerous when ingested, gargling with a mild solution of 1 part peroxide to 4 parts warm water when a sore throat hits relieves the pain and seems to cure it as well. Cuts and sores washed with peroxide heal quickly. And watching the bubbling action as germs are allegedly slowed and then killed is second only to watching bread rise. Pick up a few bottles of hydrogen peroxide to have on hand, just in case you need it. It's cheap, easy to use, and apparently a wonder-all.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank