Hydrogen peroxide is pretty heavily regulated in the UK so it can be difficult to get your hands on. We’ve been looking into this, and have compiled a handy list of where to buy hydrogen peroxide.
And as we’re cleaning and tidying fanatics, we’ve also included a guide with all the dos and don’ts of this handy cleaning chemical.
Where to Buy Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning in the UK
You’re likely to find Hydrogen Peroxide online, in supermarkets and in some high-street shops. Buying hydrogen peroxide online is definitely the easiest option. We suggest not stocking up on too much of this product as it can lose effectiveness over time, so buying just one bottle is best.
| Top tip: If your hydrogen peroxide stops bubbling when it comes into contact with metal, it’s passed its best and needs replacing. |
Buying Hydrogen Peroxide Online
Depending on the strength and quantity you want, you might be able to find hydrogen peroxide on Amazon. Amazon has plenty of bottle sizes and options. If you’re new to hydrogen peroxide cleaning and don’t know what you want, here are some suggestions.
NCS 1 litre bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
This is the ideal concentrate for household cleaning, and the black bottle should help stop the product from spoiling and becoming ineffective.
NCS 1 litre bottle of 11% hydrogen peroxide
We would highly recommend diluting this product, meaning it might go further than a weaker solution.
Sanitirex 5 litre bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
If you know you’re going to get through a lot, such as if you use it to clean your floors, then this 5L bottle might give you the best value.
See more options here.
In Supermarkets
Some UK supermarkets may sell cleaning products containing hydrogen peroxide, such as surface cleaners or disinfectants. But because of strict regulations, it’s pretty unlikely you’ll find pure hydrogen peroxide sold in your local Tesco.
On the UK Highstreet
Some pharmacists might not sell you hydrogen peroxide without a good reason. Mentioning that it’s for cleaning probably won’t get them to hand it over. However, we haven’t tried every shop and things might have changed. So if pharmacists are all you have access to, then it’s certainly worth popping into chemists and beauty supply stores and asking about their policy.
So now we know where to buy hydrogen peroxide in the UK, what can we use it for? And, more importantly, when should we absolutely never use it?
What is Hydrogen Peroxide Used For?
After its discovery, the first use of hydrogen peroxide was as a natural dye. Since then, it has been used as all sorts of things – rocket fuel, antiseptic, detergents, and in the cosmetic industry such as in hair dyes and teeth whitening. And of course, hydrogen peroxide has multiple uses in household cleaning.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning
Hydrogen peroxide is sold in a variety of strengths depending on its intended use ranging from 3% to 12%. When using it for cleaning, you don’t need to go any higher than 3%. Some people choose to dilute stronger hydrogen peroxide with water, which makes it suitable for household cleaning.
Be cautious with expensive and porous surfaces like marble, and do patch tests on less visible areas to ensure you won’t cause any damage.
Cleaning the bathroom
Use hydrogen peroxide in the bathroom as you would a usual disinfectant or bleach. It provides a natural way to get your toilet, sink and shower gleaming, without that strong chemical smell.
Disinfecting Make-up brushes
Mix hydrogen peroxide with warm water and leave your brushes and sponges to soak, to kill off all the bacteria that build up over time.
Washing dishes
Hydrogen peroxide boosts the breaking down of food and grime in the dishwasher and washing up. Add a small amount to your dishwashing cycle, or in a dish with water to soak.
Cleaning the fridge
We don’t always want strong chemicals going near our food products. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide is a safe and easy way to get rid of bacteria. Soak a paper towel with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, and wipe down all the surfaces inside the refrigerator.
Removing mould
Hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful mould and mildew remover that can kill mould at the source and even remove some staining. For more mould-removing tips, take a look at our Clean and Tidy guide to the best mould removers.
Whitening grout
Using an old toothbrush or a small scrubbing tool and some hydrogen peroxide can get your grout looking as good as new. It takes some elbow grease but leaving it to sit for a while before scrubbing will make the process quicker and easier.
In the laundry
Brightening your whites with hydrogen peroxide can have the same results as using bleach in the wash, without the strong chemicals. Just add around a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your washing machine with the clothes, and add detergent as usual.
Cleaning washing machine
To clean your washing machine add two cups of hydrogen peroxide to it while it’s empty and run a hot water cycle. This will help get rid of those musty odours. You will also want to wash the detergent drawer, and run a damp cloth around the inside of the rubber seal to remove any remaining mould and mildew that the wash cycle can’t get to.
Looking for more natural remedies? Take a look at our guide for How to Clean a Front Loading Washing Machine With Vinegar And Baking Soda.
For more ideas on how to use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning, watch the video below.
What Should You Not Use Hydrogen Peroxide For?
A lot of people wonder whether hydrogen peroxide is safe to use. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild acid, meaning it can be corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Although it’s an antiseptic, it should not be used for treating deep wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
Hydrogen Peroxide FAQs
Although hydrogen peroxide and bleach are both disinfectants, bleach contains chlorine. This makes it a stronger, harsher chemical than natural hydrogen peroxide – which has been found in nature, such as in raindrops. You can use hydrogen peroxide for most things you would use bleach for, but not the other way around. Hydrogen peroxide is gentle enough to use on skin in the right concentration, whereas you should never touch bleach.
Hydrogen peroxide has been used by doctors for more than 100 years because of its effectiveness against bacteria, fungi, yeasts and spores. It’s a natural antiseptic that prevents the infection of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.