Use hydrogen peroxide to kill germs in your bathroom.
You disinfect your bathroom to keep your family safe from germs. If you also want to keep them safe from the effects of harsh chemicals found in commercial disinfectant products, you can create your own non-toxic disinfectant with the right strength solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an ideal disinfectant for use in bathrooms. An oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide damages organic material on contact. It kills germs and bacteria. Thicker than water, it also helps remove dirt and grime. For home bathroom use, 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide is strong enough to kill commonly encountered bacteria while gentle enough to be non-toxic to your family. You can find it in stores wherever basic first aid supplies are sold.
Use
To use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant, place it in an opaque spray bottle. Spray it on sinks, shower stalls or bathtubs, lightly coating the area you want to disinfect. Let it sit for 30 to 40 seconds, then wipe it away with a sponge. While the 3 percent formulation should not damage your bathroom linens by bleaching them, to be safe, move your towels and other fabric items out of the way while cleaning so they don't come in contact with the spray.
Safety
When disinfecting your bathroom with hydrogen peroxide, wear gloves, especially if you have any open cuts on your hands. Hydrogen peroxide can cause skin irritation and burning in open wounds. Avoid getting it in your eyes. While the 3 percent solution is fairly mild and is not poisonous, keep it out of the reach of children and pets. If swallowed, it can cause vomiting and irritate the tissues lining one's throat and stomach.
Considerations
If you have tile in your bathroom, check the grout before spraying hydrogen peroxide. It can bleach and discolor colored grout on contact. If this happens, there's no way to repair the damage to the color without replacing the damaged grout. If you have regular white grout, it is safe to use hydrogen peroxide on it. In addition to disinfecting the area, hydrogen peroxide can also bleach away stains on grout left behind by mildew growth.
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