It’s also easy to use, safe for most clothes, and works as a natural cleaner.

Learn how and where to use it during your laundry routine.

Add 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the washer drum before adding the water and clothes.

hydrogen peroxide and white towels

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Remove Stains From Clothes

Hydrogen peroxide is a very effectivestain removerfor protein- and plant-based stains.

It works well intreating blood, mildew, fruit and vegetable, anddye-transfer stains.

To test, dip a cotton swab in the hydrogen peroxide, and rub it on the fabric.

Uses for hydrogen peroxide in laundry

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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.

hydrogen peroxide and white clothing

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes (30 minutes is possible).

Then, wash as usual.

For an entire washer load of towels or foul-smelling athletic gear, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide.

using a q-tip of hydrogen peroxide on blood stains

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Give the fabric time to soak (up to an hour).

Then add detergent and wash with hot water.

Brighten Colored Clothes

Colored clothes canbecome dullfrom body soil and detergent residue trapped in the fibers.

hydrogen peroxide with towels and clothing

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you’re able to brighten them with the mild bleaching action of hydrogen peroxide.

Remember, never pour full-strength hydrogen peroxide directly onto colored fabrics unless you have tested them first for colorfastness.

It will be added during the wash cycle when there is enough water to dilute it.

hydrogen peroxide and bright clothing

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Then, load your colored clothes, and wash as usual.

Clean and Disinfect a Clothes Washer

High-efficiencyfront-load washersare notorious fordeveloping smelly odors, especially in high-humidity areas.

When your washer needs cleaning, add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to the empty washer drum.

cleaning a washer with hydrogen peroxide

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Then, run a hot water wash cycle to make your washer smell fresh and clean.

A monthly cleaning will usually prevent a stinky repeat.

Hydrogen Peroxide vs. Bleach

Hydrogen peroxide and chlorine bleach remove stains andwhiten, brighten, and disinfectfabrics.

you could safely use chlorine bleach on cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic, and rayon.

That said, always check the clothings care label to see if it can be bleached.

you’re able to use hydrogen peroxide to bleach most fabrics if the garment is colorfast.

It doesnt have the same disinfecting properties as hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach, however.

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.

If youre spot-treating a stain, allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for 10 minutes.

Hydrogen peroxide is better for getting rid of tough stains and whitening whites.

Vinegar also is great for whitening clothing without bleach.

When you mix hydrogen peroxide with laundry detergent, you create a stronger cleaning solution.

Hydrogen peroxide can stain fabric that is not dye-stable.

Always test colored clothes to see if they are colorfast in an inconspicuous spot before using.