
Cleaning With Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
You’re likely familiar with the effervescent reaction between baking soda and vinegar, but there’s another baking soda pairing you ought to be aware of too: baking soda and hydrogen peroxide!
Baking soda is naturally abrasive and great for whitening and deodorizing, while hydrogen peroxide disinfects, brightens, and cleans. Mix these two powerhouse ingredients together, and you’ve got one “miraculous” cleaner!
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My enthusiasm for spreading the word about this powerful cleaning duo is such that I fear I’m a bit like the main character’s dad in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. You know — the guy who thinks Windex is the cure for everything?
“My dad believed in two things: that Greeks should educate non-Greeks about being Greek, and every ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex.”
Toula Portokalos, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
But I wouldn’t have Windex Dad levels of enthusiasm about cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda if it didn’t work, now would I? ;-) We’ll be going into detail about this “miracle cleaner” and what you can do with it in this post!
How To Use Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide For Cleaning

You’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Small bowl

Directions:
Add around 1/4 cup of baking soda to a small glass bowl or ramekin, then add enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.

Then scoop up some of the paste with your fingers or a scouring sponge and apply it to the thing or surface you want to clean.
Related: 30 Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide You’ll Want To Know About
What Can I Clean With Baking Soda And Peroxide?
This cleaning duo has proven to be incredibly versatile, especially when it comes to stubborn messes and stains in the kitchen and bathroom. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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1. Stained Cookie Sheets
The reason those greasy stains on your cookie sheets (or baking sheets, or jelly roll pans, or whatever you happen to call them) are so hard to clean is because the heat of your oven has caused oil (from food or nonstick sprays) to harden and adhere to the metal.
Of the many, many cleaning solutions I’ve tried on greasy cookie sheet stains, from days-long soaks to lemon juice treatments, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is the only one that made a dent in them.
How Does It Work?
- With a pH of around 8.3, baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is considered slightly basic or alkaline.
- Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is acidic, with a pH of 3-6 (depending on the concentration).
- When you combine peroxide and baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that releases carbon dioxide, helping to break down the molecular bonds of those stubborn stains on cookie sheets.
- When you also consider peroxide’s effectiveness at breaking down organic messes and baking soda’s scouring ability, it’s no wonder this cleaning combo can take on even the most stubborn stains!
As you can see, the greasy stain is almost completely gone. There is a bit of remaining discoloration on the pan, but that’s not a problem for me. (It just looks like I use it regularly, which is true!)

2. Dishes With Hard Water Stains
Here in the mountains of Utah, our water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which is great in terms of taste, but less great in almost every other way. If I don’t take any measures to counter the hard water in my dishwasher, my dishes (especially my plastic cooking utensils) end up looking like they do in the photo above!
Luckily, it eventually occurred to me to give my “miracle cleaner” a try on them, and it worked better than I could have hoped for! I scooped the paste onto the utensils, gave them a good rubdown, and rinsed. The white buildup melted away, and my utensils looked good as new.

3. Bathroom Fixtures (Faucets, Handles, Sinks, etc.)
Even though I clean my bathroom sink on a fairly regular basis, makeup and hairspray seem to combine over time to form an almost impenetrable film on the faucet and in and around the sink. It was no match for baking soda and hydrogen peroxide though, which got rid of that grimy residue on the first try!
Pesky mineral deposits and hard water stains around faucets and sinks are just as easy to tackle! Use a small scrub brush (or an old toothbrush) to get the paste into every nook and cranny, and your bathroom fixtures will be gleaming in no time.
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4. Toilet Bowls
Another area where hard water stains can be a problem is in toilet bowls, including near the jets underneath the rim. But they can be a real problem, even (and especially) for a porcelain surface that is constantly coated with water. Hard water stains in toilets are pretty easy to spot, given that they appear as gray, rust-colored, yellow, or brown rings or streaks.
Luckily, your trusty baking soda and hydrogen peroxide cleaning paste can make short work of those mineral deposits! (If the stains are especially stubborn, you may need to empty the water out of the bowl so you can get in there with a scrub brush or scouring pad, but your toilet bowl will be sparkling in no time!)
Related: The Only DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner You’ll Ever Need
…And More!
I haven’t tried out this cleaner on every surface of my house, but I’m sure the possibilities are endless! Let me know if you discover any other messes or surfaces where baking soda and hydrogen peroxide comes in handy. :-)
Have you tried cleaning with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide?
Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide Miracle Cleaner
Jill Nystul
Baking soda is a natural abrasive, and hydrogen peroxide disinfects and sanitizes, making this a powerhouse combo that I call my Miracle Cleaner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Equipment
Small bowl
Ingredients
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
Instructions
Put some baking soda in a small bowl.
Add hydrogen peroxide to make a paste.
Scoop up paste and rub it on the surface to be cleaned. You can use your hands, a scrubby sponge, or a cloth.
Rinse the clean surface off and polish it dry.
Notes
This miracle cleaner can be used on greasy stains on pots and pans, hard water stains on fixtures and toilets, tea kettles, kitchen sinks and utensils, and much more!
I may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website. I always offer my own genuine recommendation. Learn more.
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Hi, I’m Jillee!
I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!
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FAQs
Cleaning With Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide? ›
A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide cuts through soap scum and hard water stains on tubs and tiles. Mix a paste of two thirds baking soda to one third hydrogen peroxide, spread it over affected areas, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse away. Follow with a mist of distilled white vinegar if necessary.
What happens if you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda? ›Mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda causes a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide and certain other chemicals which can cut through soap scum and hard water stains. This mixture can therefore be used to clean anything from bathroom tiles to cooking utensils.
Is it safe to mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and vinegar? ›So, while you can use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach on their own for cleaning purposes, we recommend that you avoid mixing them with vinegar. However, if you have accidentally mixed either of these, it is best to dispose of the mix outside immediately.
How do you clean with Dawn peroxide and baking soda? ›Mix together two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of dish soap. Spread the mixture over any stain; let it sit for a bit and then launder as directed. This pre-treater is quick and inexpensive.
Do you need to rinse after cleaning with hydrogen peroxide? ›No, you don't need to rinse it off after using it to disinfect. However, you can rinse it off if you want to. Uses for hydrogen peroxide cleaning vary, and you'll want to rinse some things like fabrics and children's toys.
Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap? ›Add one part Dawn dish detergent (you can substitute an eco friendly, plant based dishwashing liquid if you wish) to two parts hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. I usually use ½ cup detergent and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide for my small spray bottles. Shake the bottle to mix well, and mix before each use.
Can you mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to clean? ›Don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same mixture. This can create peracetic acid, which may be toxic and can irritate your throat and lungs, eyes and skin. You can, however, alternate spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar on a surface. Just make sure to wipe the surface between sprays.
How do you clean a bathtub with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? ›Make a paste of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda. Use a sponge to scrub the stubborn spots with baking soda and peroxide. Let the paste work on the bathtub stains for an hour. Rinse the bathtub with hot water.
What can you not clean with baking soda? ›- 1) Antique silver. Although baking soda can pretty quickly remove tarnish from silverware, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to use it. ...
- 2) Marble. ...
- 3) Ceramic cooktop. ...
- 4) Aluminum. ...
- 5) Gold-plated items.
For extra-stubborn clogs, you can let the fizz mixture sit overnight or combine this method with plunging. If your toilet remains clogged or continues to get clogged, this may be an indication of plumbing problems such as mineral buildup or pressure issues.
How do you make homemade hydrogen peroxide bathroom cleaner? ›
Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide, two cups of distilled water, and two tablespoons of lemon juice in a spray bottle, shake it up, and start cleaning!
What is the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to dawn? ›Miracle Stain Remover
It was essentially 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part Dawn dish soap. Now, it can be any dish soap quite frankly, although Dawn does work really well, but so do other dish soaps. The most important thing here is that you treat the stain the way you would treat any stain.
Baking soda is an effective remedy to remove hair color at home. It can be mixed with shampoo or dish soap and applied to hair to strip its color. Baking soda can also be applied after mixing with lemon juice, vinegar, or peroxide as they have natural bleaching properties which help remove hair dye.
How do you know when hydrogen peroxide is done cleaning? ›If you want to clean your pet's nasty chew toys without poisoning them, use and half-and-half solution of water and hydrogen peroxide and soak the toys. Remove when the liquid stops bubbling, rinse thoroughly with water and let dry. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective to control fungi in fish tanks.
Will hydrogen peroxide clean grout? ›To clean your grout, combine one-part 3% hydrogen peroxide and one-part water into a spray bottle. Spray your grout generously and let the solution sit for about 1 hour, to allow time to work. Rinse the area with water and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.
Can you clean your toilet with hydrogen peroxide? ›Hydrogen peroxide can zap germs in your toilet bowl too. Try pouring 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide in the toilet followed by 1 cup baking soda. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, give it a good scrub, and flush. You can also spray down the seat and lid to be extra thorough.
Which is better for cleaning vinegar or hydrogen peroxide? ›Vinegar and peroxide work well in tandem because they both kill germs but in different ways. They make a good one-two punch because vinegar is good at killing some germs and hydrogen peroxide is better at killing others.
How do you clean a shower with hydrogen peroxide? ›To Clean Your Shower
Struggling with mold and mildew? Hydrogen peroxide makes a great anti-fungal. Just pour some into an empty spray bottle, spritz away, and wipe down. You can even keep a bottle in the shower and do a quick spray down once a day.
{NOTE: The hydrogen peroxide may bleach fabrics so check for color fastness if this is a concern}. You can spray it on with a spray bottle if you are treating a larger area or put it on with a Q-tip for small spots. Blot while it is bubbling with a clean, white cloth.
Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of toenail fungus? ›Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that isn't meant for killing toenail fungus. This medication is for treating cuts, burns and scrapes. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hydrogen peroxide can kill some types of fungi, such as yeasts and moulds.
How long do you leave hydrogen peroxide on toenail fungus? ›
Wipe hydrogen peroxide directly on the infected area with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Add 1/8 of a cup of hydrogen peroxide to four cups of cool water. Soak the infected feet for 10-20 minutes, and then pat dry with a clean cloth.
How effective is hydrogen peroxide for toenail fungus? ›Health experts do not recommend using hydrogen peroxide to treat foot fungus. It is not an effective treatment for athlete's foot and can slow wound healing.
Why do hospitals clean with vinegar? ›“Vinegar does have disinfectant activity,” Alan Taege, MD, infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic. “Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses." But, Dr. Taege notes, "many commercial disinfectants would likely be more effective." (More on that in a minute.)
What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and sugar? ›The mixture of sugar and hydrogen peroxide produces a renewable liquid fuel that can be stored for long periods - weeks, months, years - and used when needed to power automobiles or to heat homes, factories and office buildings, or to power steam turbines for producing electricity during peak-time demand.
Why not to use hydrogen peroxide? ›Hydrogen peroxide actually irritates the skin and inhibits wound healing. The advice about using it has changed because new research shows that the irritation it causes is not worth the antiseptic effect.”
What is the best no scrub bathtub cleaner? ›Best Overall
For the best clean on tile, showers, tubs, and glass, we recommend Rejuvenate's soap scum remover. It is an effective formula that breaks up soap scum and hard water deposits without any scrubbing.
Be careful not to rinse for too long, as it can burn the gums and temporarily turn some areas white (don't worry, it goes away after a few minutes!).
How do I get brown stains off my glass oven door? ›How do you get brown stains off oven glass? Mix baking soda with one part vinegar and one part water and apply the paste to the brown oven glass using a non-abrasive pad. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe away the paste with a damp cloth.
What smells does baking soda get rid of? ›Baking soda, unlike most commercial air fresheners, doesn't mask odors, “it absorbs them," says Mary Marlowe Leverette, a home economist and blogger. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate in a convenient box) neutralizes stubborn acidic odors -- like those from sour milk -- as well as other funky smells lurking in your home.
Does baking soda clean grout? ›TL;DR: Combine baking soda & white vinegar to create the perfect cleaning solution for tile grout. Scrub with a toothbrush and voila! For floor tiles, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apply paste, let sit, then scrub away and rinse off with warm water. Grout gets dirty and unsightly – quick!
Why put baking soda in your toilet at night? ›
Leaving those products in water overnight can also release fumes into your bathroom. The aforementioned baking soda and vinegar is a safer alternative for keeping your toilet bowl sparkling. You can add them to the toilet bowl at the end of the night for a good, cleansing soak until morning.
Why you should put a rag with vinegar in your toilet? ›Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.
Why put baking soda in back of toilet? ›Odor Toilet Tank FAQ
White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.
Although it's a chemical, it biodegrades into completely natural elements: water and oxygen. Don't let its natural components fool you—hydrogen peroxide is powerful and will thoroughly disinfect your toilet, eliminate any foul odours, and make it shine like new. No bleach needed!
What is the best homemade bathroom cleaner? ›In a jar or spray bottle, combine 1 2/3 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons vinegar. Shake before using. Apply with a cloth or sponge and rinse well.
Does hydrogen peroxide clean shower doors? ›Mix one cup of water, a half cup of hydrogen peroxide and ten drops each of peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Spray on the shower door and leave for 1 to 2 hours. Then rinse with water. Standard glass cleaner will not remove soap scum but is useful for removing streaks after using one of the other cleaners.
What not to mix hydrogen peroxide with? ›Don't mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used on the same surface as long as it dries in between applications but they should never be mixed. When the two are mixed, it creates peracetic acid, which can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs.
The best formulation of hydrogen peroxide to use for cleaning is the 3% concentration. You can mix one cup of this with 1 litre, stir or shake well, and put it into a spray bottle. You can then spritz this solution to the surface or material you want to clean, let it sit, then wash or rinse accordingly.
What is baking soda and hydrogen peroxide good for? ›Mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda causes a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide and certain other chemicals which can cut through soap scum and hard water stains. This mixture can therefore be used to clean anything from bathroom tiles to cooking utensils.
What does baking soda do to GREY hair? ›Since baking soda is a scrubbing agent, washing your hair with it can gradually strip the dye from your locks. Baking soda can lighten all hair colors, but it might take a few washes to get your hair to the desired color.
What does hydrogen peroxide do to gray hair? ›
The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment.
How can I grow my GREY hair gracefully? ›- Be prepared to wait it out.
- Touch up grey regrowth until you're confident to go natural.
- Think about your ends as well as your roots.
- Consider cutting your hair shorter.
- Learn from your hairstylist.
- Hydrate your hair as much as possible.
- Don't completely ditch the hair colour.
Hydrogen peroxide is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a “stable and effective disinfectant when used on inanimate surfaces.” According to the CDC, hydrogen peroxide can be used against a number of bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, and yeast.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for house cleaning? ›Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that kills germs and viruses safely and quickly without using potentially toxic chemicals. This makes it a great disinfectant. In addition, its antibacterial and antiviral qualities are more effective than distilled white vinegar and rubbing alcohol.
Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for mold? ›It's often used as a natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals when it comes to killing household mold. Cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is the best type for killing mold.
Why pour hydrogen peroxide down drain? ›Hydrogen peroxide dissolves organic matter to loosen and flush away debris such as skin cells. It also disinfects the drain as it works by reducing germs inside your pipes and making your sinks smell fresh and clean.
Do I need to dilute hydrogen peroxide for cleaning? ›Because it is recommended to work with a diluted 3% version of hydrogen peroxide it is important to let sit for 10 or more minutes to fully disinfect (this is true with most disinfectants you need to give them time to fully disinfect).
What surfaces does hydrogen peroxide damage? ›If you're cleaning with 3% hydrogen peroxide, use caution on some surfaces — such as countertops made of marble or granite — as its slight acidity can break down the finish of these surfaces over time. It can also cause discoloration, so test it out on a small spot of a colored surface before using it on a larger area.
What happens if you accidentally mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar? ›Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid. This combination can be highly corrosive.
What kills black mold permanently? ›'Bleach will kill mold spores growing across a hard surface, but if the mold has extended below the surface, then white vinegar is the best choice,' she says. 'The vinegar will penetrate to kill the mold and mildew at the root, preventing it from regrowing.
What kills black mold in shower? ›
Hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and baking soda are three nontoxic products that can remove mold in shower areas effectively. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, which makes it perfect for treating mold. Baking soda also kills mold and absorbs moisture that facilitates mold growth.
What happens when you put hydrogen peroxide on black mold? ›Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances. Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray the moldy surface completely to saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide.
Can I mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning? ›Don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same mixture. This can create peracetic acid, which may be toxic and can irritate your throat and lungs, eyes and skin. You can, however, alternate spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar on a surface. Just make sure to wipe the surface between sprays.