There are so many different uses for hydrogen peroxide so it’s no wonder why survivalists, preppers, and gardeners alike are stocking up on this multi-use product.
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Hydrogen Peroxide: An All-Around Survival Item
Household Basics
It’s very inexpensive which means that it doesn’t drain your wallet if you were to buy several bottles at a time. This would be a perfect addition to your vitamins and OTC medicine stash!
In my research, I found at least 50 plus uses for hydrogen peroxide — anything from beauty to household use to survival use.
I was impressed with all the different uses for this ‘magic potion’. But, for today, I’ll share with you six great survival uses.
In a future article, I will share the many other different uses for hydrogen peroxide for all your household and homesteading needs. So, stay tuned!
Basic Safety Tips
Before I share with you all the wonderful survival uses for hydrogen peroxide, let’s go over some basic safety tips.
- Keep hydrogen peroxide out of the reach of children.
- The 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is the safest grade to keep and use in your home.
- Keep the cap on hydrogen at all times.
- Keep it away from your eyes and mouth when disinfecting items.
- Wash it out immediately if you get it in your eyes.
- Use a face mask when cleaning molds with hydrogen peroxide. It can form small spores that can cause allergies once inhaled. (I’ll cover more about this in a future article on more hydrogen peroxide uses for your home)
- Store hydrogen peroxide in plastic bottles, away from sunlight and heat.
One thing that most people aren’t aware of is that there are two types of peroxide – topical hydrogen peroxide and food-grade hydrogen peroxide. So, what is the difference between them?
Topical hydrogen peroxide is for topical use. It guards against infection by decreasing germs in minor cuts, burns, and abrasions.
This mix is typically 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water.
Food grade 8% hydrogen peroxide solution is good for a foliar spray, chemical-free cleaning, and bleaching. 8% strength is ideal for oxygen bathing, a natural produce wash, and for use as a mouthwash, and ear drops.
Let’s go over some great survival uses for hydrogen peroxide formula — some of which may surprise you!
*Disclaimer: This post is meant for informational purposes. For all health concerns, please seek medical advice.
6 Survival Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
1. Killing Infections
Hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of infections, or it can prevent an infection from starting when applied to the wound directly when it happens. It is a good way to keep a wound from decaying, and it will take away some of the sting sensations.
It is completely safe for cleaning out or killing infection, and you should only use hydrogen peroxide 3% grade solution, as anything above that can become harmful. If the infection persists or worsens, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Treating Insect Bites
Treating insect bites with hydrogen peroxide can take away the swelling and itching associated with bee stings, ant bites, wasp stings, and mosquito bites.
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In order to cure these bites, you should rub the area with a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide, or you can mix a little baking soda with the hydrogen peroxide to form a paste and apply it directly to the insect bite.
3. Removing Earwax
Pediatricians have recommended small droplets applied by ear swabs to help loosen earwax in children, allowing the wax to naturally move out of the ear. Ask your doctor if this method is right for you.
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4. Maintaining Oral Hygiene
Mouth Rinse – As an oral agent, hydrogen peroxide can aid in removing phlegm, mucus, and other secretions associated with a sore mouth. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to rinse your mouth.
To clean your toothbrush – 3% hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean your toothbrush. Soak the toothbrush for about 5 minutes to kill germs!
Whiten teeth – You can brush with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for whiter teeth! I would not recommend this for everyday use.
3 times a week should be the magic number for a whiter smile! (Again, use 3% hydrogen peroxide)
5. Gardening
Hydrogen peroxide is used by many people to keep their plants healthy and their garden running efficiently. You can add a teaspoon to every cup of water for sickly plants.
Watering the plants with this solution will help the plants to grow nice and strong. Some spray it on tree cuts to keep them from possible infection, while others use it as a fertilizer.
Some farmers use a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution in a spray bottle to kill weeds. However, if you decide to use this method, make sure you don’t spray all your plants with the solution as it will kill them.
Caution is highly recommended.
6. Washing Vegetables and Fruits
Soak your vegetables and fruits in water and 8% hydrogen peroxide food grade solution for 20 minutes to remove dirt and pesticide residue.
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So join the other educated survivalists like yourself and grab some hydrogen peroxide to have on hand just in case.
Watch this video by ehowhealth about the first aid uses of hydrogen peroxide:
This is just one of the essentials you need in your bug out bag list. Hydrogen peroxide is cheap, can be used for treating infections, hygiene purposes, and for gardening too.
It's a must-have item in your household as well as in the outdoors!
Are there any uses for hydrogen peroxide you'd like to add here? Share them with us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 2, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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6 Secret Survival Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide You Didn’t Know!