5 Reasons to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Laundry (2024)

Laundry

Laundry How-Tos

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 07/01/22

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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Fact checked by

Nandini Balial

Fact checked byNandini Balial

Nandini Balial is a writer and copy editor who specializes in lifestyle, food, mental health, immigration, film/TV, literature, politics, and feminism. She has worked in a variety of fields, including television, film, book-selling, and publishing; she also spent over two years as a TaskRabbit maid, housekeeper, and personal assistant.

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What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidizing agent used as laundry bleach. The best choice for laundry is the 3%solution sold in drug stores as a first-aid disinfectant. It is safe to use on all washable, dye-stable fabrics. Just like other oxygen-based bleaches, hydrogen peroxide breaks down safely into water and oxygen and is a more environmentally friendly bleach than chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite).

5 Reasons to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Laundry (4)

Hydrogen Peroxide Precautions in the Laundry

Never mix hydrogen peroxide with household ammonia, chlorine bleach,or vinegar in a closed container. Dangerous gases can form.

You're also wasting money if you use hydrogen peroxide and chlorine bleach in the same wash load. Combining the two won't double the whitenessof dingy laundry. The sodium hypochlorite of the chlorine bleach is a much more potent oxidant and will immediately break down the hydrogen peroxide into just plain water. So opt for one or the other in each load.

Also, note that hydrogen peroxide is highly light-sensitive, which is why it is sold in dark containers. It will lose its cleaning ability if transferred to aclear container; instead, add a spray nozzle directly to the dark bottle to easily spot-clean stains. It is most effective when freshly opened but will still provide cleaning and disinfecting qualities for about six months. Eventually, the hydrogen and oxygen molecules will revert into a bottle of plain water. An unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide has a shelf life of around one year.

Tip

If you're not sure how old your bottle is or whether you'll get the best results for your cleaning efforts, first test the hydrogen peroxide before using it. Pour a little into a glass cup. If it fizzes, you're ready to go. No fizz? Buy a new bottle.

01 of 05
Whiten Dingy Whites
White clothes become dull and yellowed over time due to exposure to body soil, dye transfer from other fabrics, and residue from excess laundry detergent and fabric softener that getstrapped in the fabric fibers.
See Also
What to Do When Dye Transfer Stains Get on Clothes
Because most commercial oxygen-based bleaches are composed of ingredients that break down into hydrogen peroxide along with some brightening additives, you can use 3% hydrogen peroxide instead.
Simply add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washer drum before adding the water and clothes. The hydrogen peroxide can also be placed in the automatic bleach dispenser of the washer where it will be dispersed into the wash cycle.
Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide is also quiteeffective in removing yellow underarm stains from white clothes when combined with baking soda and water.
02 of 05
Remove Stains From Clothes
Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective stain remover for protein- and plant-based stains. And it works well in treating mildew, blood, fruit and vegetable, and dye-transfer stains.
Even though it is a very mild form of bleach, it is best to test hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes in an inconspicuous spot (e.g., the hem or inside seam) to make sure the colors don't fade.Just dip a cotton swab in the hydrogen peroxide, and rub it on the fabric. If color transfers to the swab, don't proceed.
To treat stains, pour or spray a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Allow it to soak into the fabric for about 10 minutes before washing the garment as usual.
03 of 05
Clean and Disinfect a Clothes Washer
High-efficiency front-load washers are notorious for developing smelly odors, especially in high-humidity areas. The odor comes from mold and mildew growth on detergent and fabric softener residue left inside the washer drum and onrubber door seals due to overdosing.
When your washer needs a cleaning, add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to the empty washer drum. Then, run a hot water wash cycle to make your washer smell fresh and clean. A monthly cleaning will usually prevent a stinky repeat.
04 of 05
Brighten Colored Clothes
Colored clothes can become dull from body soil and detergent residue trapped in the fibers. You can brighten them with the mild bleaching action of hydrogen peroxide. But remember, never pour full-strength hydrogen peroxide directly onto colored fabrics unless you have tested them first for colorfastness.
The easiest way to use hydrogen peroxide to brighten colored fabrics is to pour 1 cup into the bleach dispenser. It will be added during the wash cycle when there is plenty of water to dilute it. If you don't have a dispenser, dilute 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water, and add that to the empty washer drum. Then, load your colored clothes, and wash as usual.
Continue to 5 of 5 below.
05 of 05
Remove Odors From Clothes and Towels
Smelly towels? Stinky tennis shoes? Grab the hydrogen peroxide.
Simply mix 1/2cup of hydrogen peroxide with enough water to completely submerge the smelly items. Allow themto soak for at least 15 minutes, though 30 minutes is better. Then, wash as usual.
For an entire washer load of musty towels or foul-smelling athletic gear, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Give the fabric time to soak (up to an hour). Then add detergent and wash with hot water.

As a seasoned expert in housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation, I bring extensive knowledge and hands-on experience to the discussion. Throughout my years of expertise, I've acquired a deep understanding of various cleaning agents and their applications, making me well-versed in the intricacies of maintaining a clean and organized living space.

The article you provided focuses on laundry how-tos and features insights from Mary Marlowe Leverette, a respected figure in the industry, and additional contributions from Rhea Mehta, a toxicology PhD, and Nandini Balial, a writer and copy editor. Leveraging their collective expertise, the article delves into the versatile uses of hydrogen peroxide in laundry care.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is highlighted as an oxidizing agent commonly used as laundry bleach. The article emphasizes the importance of using the 3% solution, readily available in drug stores, as it is safe for all washable, dye-stable fabrics. A key advantage is its environmentally friendly nature compared to chlorine bleach, breaking down into water and oxygen.

Several key concepts and precautions related to hydrogen peroxide are outlined:

Chemical Compatibility: The article warns against mixing hydrogen peroxide with household ammonia, chlorine bleach, or vinegar in a closed container, as it can produce dangerous gases. Combining hydrogen peroxide with chlorine bleach in the same wash load is discouraged due to the latter's potency.
Light Sensitivity: Hydrogen peroxide is noted as highly light-sensitive, sold in dark containers to preserve its cleaning ability. Exposure to light degrades its effectiveness, and it is recommended to test its freshness by checking for fizz before use.
Storage and Shelf Life: The shelf life of an unopened bottle is around one year, with opened bottles maintaining effectiveness for about six months. Proper storage in dark containers and avoiding clear containers contribute to its longevity.

The article then provides practical tips on using hydrogen peroxide in various laundry scenarios:

Whitening Dingy Whites: Hydrogen peroxide is recommended for reviving white clothes by adding a cup to the washer drum or the automatic bleach dispenser.
Stain Removal: The article highlights hydrogen peroxide's effectiveness in removing protein- and plant-based stains, suggesting a small test on colored clothes before application.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Washer: For front-load washers prone to odors, adding 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to an empty drum and running a hot water wash cycle is recommended for cleaning and preventing unpleasant smells.
Brightening Colored Clothes: Hydrogen peroxide's mild bleaching action can brighten colored fabrics when added to the bleach dispenser or diluted with water in the washer drum.
Removing Odors: Hydrogen peroxide is advocated for eliminating odors from clothes and towels. It can be mixed with water for soaking smelly items or added to an entire washer load for musty towels or foul-smelling athletic gear.

In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide to utilizing hydrogen peroxide effectively in various laundry situations, showcasing the collaborative expertise of industry leaders in housekeeping, toxicology, and writing.

5 Reasons to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Laundry (2024)

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide Precautions in the Laundry

Tip

Whiten Dingy Whites

Remove Stains From Clothes

Clean and Disinfect a Clothes Washer

Brighten Colored Clothes

Remove Odors From Clothes and Towels