do you use hydrogen peroxide?

brideofaussie

for what purposes?  and in what forms?

Can you recommend any sources for H2O2 information?

belovedbride07

I mostly use it as a stain fighter, particularly for menstrual issues (yeah, I'm kind of inept at remembering to wear a pantiliner); it works wonderfully.

I read about it in Organic Housekeeping (it looks like the new edition is called Green Housekeeping, actually).  I haven't researched it any further than that at this point.  Even if it isn't the most green solution, I figure it's better than the skull and crossbones laundry treatment I was using!

leighzlou

I use it for cleaning up cuts and scrapes.

 Hydrogen peroxide is really green actually. Once it is exposed to light or living tissue/cell, it releases one of its oxygen atoms as a gas, leaving water behind. The fizzing that you get when you pour it on something is oxygen bubbling out of the water. As it does that, it is cutting open all the living cells to kill them (such as the bacteria in a cut) but it cannot penetrate a layer of dead skin so it won't eat away at your skin. It comes in a dark bottle because it is light reactive and will just turn to water if it were in a clear bottle.

Lisa78

I use it for cuts, really pesky zits and for cleaning my Diva cup!

uncannycanuck

One of the spray tops I had for a cleaning bottle happened to fit right on the h2o2 bottle, so I have it in a spray bottle. It works great for disinfecting countertops and cutting boards - and breaks down into water and oxygen fairly quickly, so no worries about residues on food surfaces. I also use it to disinfect the bathroom a bit here and there.

fizzybauberswed

I use it to clean cuts and scrapes. I clean my cutting board with it and for stains on clothing (whites) and also to clean my toilet (bowl and seat).

belovedbride07

Regarding using it to clean cuts and scrapes: I have read several times over the last few years not to do that.  The MayoClinic website says it's not necessary (but doesn't elaborate); here is an explanation from Reader's Digest:

CUTS AND SCRAPES
Hydrogen Peroxide, Iodine, Rubbing Alcohol, Mercurochrome
When the skin isn't broken, it's hard to beat iodine for killing bacteria. That's why doctors use it to clean an area before surgery. But when there's a cut, says dermatologist Robert Kirsner, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, full-strength iodine, hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can be toxic to skin cells, impeding healing. The chemical reaction (and bubbling) that occurs when hydrogen peroxide hits the skin isn't only cleaning the wound -- it's killing healthy cells. And that stinging from the rubbing alcohol? This stuff hurts because it's wiping out healthy tissue.

Putting iodine on cuts and wounds kills bacteria, says VanRooyen, but it won't clean the wound. "You want to protect the good tissue, and iodine doesn't do that." Mercurochrome also kills bacteria, but as the name suggests, it contains mercury, which is toxic, and not generally recognized as safe, says the FDA. Today, doctors don't use Mercurochrome.

Better Bet
Remarkably, cleansing a wound has become much simpler: "The most effective way to get rid of debris and bacteria without damaging healthy tissue is flushing the wound out with water," says VanRooyen. Put the wound under a faucet, or spray it with the nozzle on the kitchen sink. Flush it with water to clear it of all debris. If you are worried about the bandage sticking to the wound, consider using an antibacterial ointment that contains bacitracin or neomycin to keep the area lubricated.

brideofaussie

belovedbride07:

Regarding using it to clean cuts and scrapes: I have read several times over the last few years not to do that.  The MayoClinic website says it's not necessary (but doesn't elaborate); here is an explanation from Reader's Digest:

CUTS AND SCRAPES

Hydrogen Peroxide, Iodine, Rubbing Alcohol, Mercurochrome
When the skin isn't broken, it's hard to beat iodine for killing bacteria. That's why doctors use it to clean an area before surgery. But when there's a cut, says dermatologist Robert Kirsner, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, full-strength iodine, hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can be toxic to skin cells, impeding healing. The chemical reaction (and bubbling) that occurs when hydrogen peroxide hits the skin isn't only cleaning the wound -- it's killing healthy cells. And that stinging from the rubbing alcohol? This stuff hurts because it's wiping out healthy tissue.

Putting iodine on cuts and wounds kills bacteria, says VanRooyen, but it won't clean the wound. "You want to protect the good tissue, and iodine doesn't do that." Mercurochrome also kills bacteria, but as the name suggests, it contains mercury, which is toxic, and not generally recognized as safe, says the FDA. Today, doctors don't use Mercurochrome.

Better Bet
Remarkably, cleansing a wound has become much simpler: "The most effective way to get rid of debris and bacteria without damaging healthy tissue is flushing the wound out with water," says VanRooyen. Put the wound under a faucet, or spray it with the nozzle on the kitchen sink. Flush it with water to clear it of all debris. If you are worried about the bandage sticking to the wound, consider using an antibacterial ointment that contains bacitracin or neomycin to keep the area lubricated.

This is what got me about researching H2O2.  I got a lot of conflicting information.

CurbsideProphet

I use it for cleaning our bathroom counter and sinks because I have heard it is non toxic to cats and our kitty likes to lick our sink.

LolitaC

I use it to clean undearm stains from white shirts.

Alisha_A

For cleaning and stains, yes.

For wounds, never.

CutesBoots

cleaning

mouthwash (diluted as per instructions on bottle) - I don't do this with any regularity anymore.  I used to deal with a lot of gum swelling.

TMI - Making our dog throw up various articles of clothing she swallowed.  I think she's grown out/ gotten trained out of that, finally.

JoeyOz

Mainly as a mouthwash and for some cleaning.

CDMay2006

I use it for stains (powder) or to disinfect surfaces (liquid) when i feel like vinegar isn't enough (i.e., someone else's blood).  I also use it for canker sores (liquid applied via q-tip), and when a wound has gotten infected (diluted rinse), but not for any other skin contact, as per my own comfort and dr/dentist recommendation.

Pescalita

As a bleach alternative and for cleaning the diva cup.

We were recently at a Kaiser minor injury clinic for a nasty cut, and they also said to steer away from alcohol, iodine, etc. Just clean with water and mild soap, and use plenty of neosporin or other antibiotic ointment (they gooped it on really thick at the clinic). In addition to damaging the tissue, it dries it out, which makes healing more difficult.

blue_elle

Interesting about the cuts things - I was in a motorcycle accident some years ago and had terrible road rash. In my holy crap, pre-hospital fog I allowed a friend to pour rubbing alcohol on some of the wounds. ER doc said that was a big no-no as the alcohol will kill the healthy tissue. He and my regular doc recommended H202 as a gentler alternative, to be used in moderation to prevent infection in the hard to heal areas (palms of hands especially). Maybe it depends on the extent of damage and potential for infection? Perhaps in a situation like that, where there is debris and whatnot that can't just be washed out, the risk of some drying and minor damage to healthy skin is worth it to sterilize the area?

Fortunately everything healed well and aside from a small scar under my chin from stitches there's no evidence