Why Some Cleaners Suggest Mixing Hydrogen Peroxide And Dish Soap (And If You Should Too)

When most people think of hydrogen peroxide, they usually either think of first aid for wounds or hair coloring. However, there are many surprising ways to use hydrogen peroxide in your home for disinfecting and cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contains two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms, which makes it effective for cleaning and disinfecting. Some cleaners suggest mixing hydrogen peroxide with dish soap for stronger cleaning and stain removal.

This mixture is beneficial because hydrogen peroxide has disinfectant properties and works to break down stains, while the dish soap is great at breaking down grease stains. While you can use any type or color of dishwashing liquid, the blue Dawn soap is recommended by many cleaners. This product is well known to cut through grease, which is why it's used to clean wildlife affected by oil spills. The bubbling action of the hydrogen peroxide helps to lift stains, and the soap traps the bubbles, which enhances this effect. The combination of both ingredients provides better cleaning action than either ingredient alone. 

Hydrogen peroxide can be used in many ways for cleaning and disinfecting. The benefit of washing your dishes with hydrogen peroxide is that it removes stains and disinfects the dishes. You can add an ounce or two of hydrogen peroxide to your dish soap, or fill the sink with warm water, and then add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap to wash the dishes. In the dishwasher, you can add around 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide to the detergent you're using and run the machine as usual.

In the laundry, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap makes a great stain remover, disinfects, and controls odors. Mix two parts of hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the stain and allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a brush or towel. The clothing can then be washed with a regular load of laundry. 

This stain remover mixture can be used on more than dishes and laundry to remove stains safely and effectively. You can use the same two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part dish soap recipe to remove stains on carpeting and upholstery. Apply the mixture and gently work it in with a soft brush, cloth, or toothbrush. Let the mixture sit on the stain for about 10 minutes and then blot with a cloth and rinse with water.

Although hydrogen peroxide is completely safe for people and pets, there are some precautions to take and things to know. One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is mixing it with other cleaners and substances. Doing so could be dangerous. For example, mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide creates a compound called peracetic acid. This corrosive compound can be damaging when inhaled.

Hydrogen peroxide should never be mixed with bleach. This can create a toxic oxygen gas that releases heat. The resulting chlorine gas can cause skin irritation and respiratory distress. The bubbling nature of the peroxide and resulting gas created by the combination of the two substances can even result in an explosion.

To be on the safe side, don't mix hydrogen peroxide with any other cleaning products. Another precaution is to make sure you are using the right kind of hydrogen peroxide. Stick with the 3% solution sold in most grocery stores and drug stores. Stronger 6 percent H₂O₂ could have a bleaching effect, especially on laundry and soft surfaces, such as upholstery or carpets. Finally, before using a hydrogen peroxide mixture on any surfaces, make sure you do a small spot test first to ensure that the mixture won't bleach or damage the surface. This is especially important on fabrics.