Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are two common household ingredients that have a variety of uses and benefits. Often used for cleaning and disinfecting, these inexpensive and versatile substances can also be used for health, beauty, and other purposes around the home.
What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder with a salty and slightly alkaline taste. It is an leavening agent used in baked goods that causes dough to rise. When baking soda is combined with moisture and an acidic ingredient like yogurt, buttermilk, or chocolate, it produces carbon dioxide bubbles that expand under oven temperatures, causing baked goods to rise. Baking soda is also used to neutralize acids and act as a leavener in recipes.
Some key facts about baking soda:
- Chemical formula: NaHCO3
- Other names: Sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate
- pH level: 8.3 (basic/alkaline)
- Soluble in water
- White crystalline powder substance
- Mildly salty and alkaline taste
- Natural mineral compound found in mineral springs
- Mined and processed for commercial use
- Heat-activated leavening agent
- Neutralizes acids
- Available at grocery stores in the baking aisle
- Inexpensive (often costs less than $1 per box)
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen, with the chemical formula H2O2. It appears as a clear and colorless liquid when in its pure form. While regular hydrogen peroxide is sold in concentrations of about 3-10%, high-concentration grades containing 30% or more hydrogen peroxide are also available commercially. Hydrogen peroxide has strong oxidizing and bleaching properties.
Some key facts about hydrogen peroxide:
- Chemical formula: H2O2
- Other names: Dihydrogen dioxide, oxygen water, peroxide
- pH level: 3-4 (acidic)
- Clear, colorless liquid
- Strong oxidizing and bleaching agent
- Decomposes into oxygen gas and water
- Sold in concentrations from 3% to over 30%
- Has strong antiseptic and disinfectant properties
- Used as an antiseptic and to bleach hair
- Available at pharmacies and grocery stores
- Relatively inexpensive
Cleaning Uses
Both baking soda and hydrogen peroxide have a variety of cleaning applications throughout the home due to their cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, and whitening properties.
Baking Soda Cleaning Uses
- Fridges and freezers – Deodorizes and cleans
- Drains – Unclogs and deodorizes
- Sinks – Polishes and removes stains
- Ovens and microwaves – Loosens baked-on grime
- Kitchen surfaces – Degreases and removes stains
- Kitchen appliances – Whitens and shines
- Floors – Cleans and removes odors
- Carpets – Deodorizes and absorbs odors
- Bathrooms – Scrubs tile and grout
- Toilets – Cleans and deodorizes
- Trash cans – Absorbs odors
Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Uses
- Surfaces – Disinfects kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
- Appliances – Sanitizes and deodorizes fridges, microwaves, etc.
- Sinks – Whitens and disinfects
- Drains – Cleans and deodorizes
- Toilets – Disinfects and removes stains
- Floors – Bleaches and disinfects tile and grout
- Laundry – Bleaches and whitens clothes
- Kitchenware – Sanitizes and removes stains from cutting boards, dishes, etc.
- Mold and mildew – Removes from surfaces
Health and Beauty Uses
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide also have a number of health and beauty benefits that allow them to be used for hygiene, skin care, hair care, and other personal uses.
Baking Soda Health and Beauty Uses
- Oral hygiene – Whitens teeth, freshens breath
- Face – Exfoliates and cleanses skin
- Body – Relieves itchiness and irritation
- Baths – Softens skin and soothes irritation
- Hair – Removes buildup and boosts shine
- Nails – Whitens nail polish stains
- Deodorant – Neutralizes underarm odor
- Foot soaks – Soothes sore, tired feet
- Sunburn – Soothes pain and itching
- Bug bites – Reduces itching and swelling
Hydrogen Peroxide Health and Beauty Uses
- Mouthwash – Rinses away bacteria
- Tooth whitening – Lightens teeth with consistent use
- Acne – Cleans pores and kills acne bacteria
- Disinfectant – Cleans and prevents infection in minor cuts, scrapes, burns
- Ear wax removal – Softens and helps remove ear wax buildup
- Nail fungus – Applied to nails fights fungal infections
- Foot soaks – Deodorizes smelly feet and foot fungi
- Hair lightening – Lightens hair gradually when used diluted
Other Uses
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide have a wide range of miscellaneous uses throughout the home, garden, garage and more.
Baking Soda Uses
- Deodorize shoes – Sprinkle in shoes to absorb odors
- Freshen carpets – Vacuum and sprinkle on carpet to deodorize
- Fire extinguisher – Smother small kitchen or camp fires
- Pest control – Spread around gardens to deter pests
- Polishing metals – Make paste with water to shine silver, copper, brass, etc.
- Degrease tools – Make paste to clean garden tools
- Wash produce – Add to water to wash fruits and veggies
- Tub and tile cleaner – Scrub paste cleans tubs, showers, tiles
- Pet care – Add to bathwater to clean and deodorize fur
- Litter boxes – Sprinkle in bottom to absorb odors
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses
- Laundry – Brightens whites and removes stains
- Gardening – Kills mold and pests in soil
- Hydroponics – Provides oxygen for plants
- Aquariums – Removes algae and boosts oxygen levels
- Pet stains – Removes stains and odors from carpets
- Hardwood floors – Whitens and brightens finished floors
- Trash cans – Disinfects and deodorizes
- Kitchenware – Sanitizes wooden cutting boards
- Wine stains – Lifts stains from carpet and tablecloths
- Ear wax removal – Breaks up and removes ear wax
Comparison of Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
| Baking Soda | Hydrogen Peroxide | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical formula | NaHCO3 | H2O2 |
| pH level | 8.3 (alkaline) | 3-4 (acidic) |
| Form | White crystalline powder | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Smell and taste | Salty, slightly alkaline | Odorless, bitter metallic taste |
| Cleaning properties | Deodorizes, whitens, absorbs, scrubs | Disinfects, bleaches, whitens, deodorizes |
| Health and beauty uses | Oral hygiene, skin exfoliant, hair/nail whitener | Antiseptic, tooth whitener, hair lightener |
| Other uses | Deodorize, polish metals, extinguish fires | Laundry whitener, hydroponics, aquariums |
| Safety | Mildly irritating in eyes. Non-toxic if ingested. | Strong oxidizer. Corrosive at high concentrations. |
Are Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Safe to Mix?
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can safely be mixed together in cleaning solutions. When combined, they form an effervescent solution that breaks down into oxygen, water, and sodium carbonate. This solution is effective at whitening, deodorizing, and disinfecting surfaces.
Here are some tips for safely mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide:
- Use only 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore. Higher concentrations are corrosive.
- Mix 1 part baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide.
- Never mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide over 30% concentration.
- Always add baking soda slowly to hydrogen peroxide to prevent bubbling over.
- Use in well-ventilated areas and avoid inhaling fumes.
- Rinse surfaces and skin thoroughly after application.
- Dilute with water as needed for cleaning different materials.
- Store unused mixtures in sealed containers and discard after 24 hours.
Risks of Combining Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
While the common household grades and ratios are generally safe, there are some hazards to be aware of:
- Hydrogen peroxide over 10% can be dangerous to handle without gloves and eye protection. Avoid high concentrations.
- Never mix or store hydrogen peroxide in containers made of certain metals. It can corrode metals.
- Avoid getting the solution in eyes, nose, or mouth. Rinse thoroughly if exposed.
- Do not mix with vinegar, acids, or other cleaners. Can cause dangerous chemical reactions.
- Avoid using on colored fabrics or carpets. Can lead to discoloration over time.
- The solution will eventually decompose and lose effectiveness after mixing.
Conclusion
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are staple ingredients found in most homes. Both have outstanding capabilities when it comes to cleaning, deodorizing, sanitizing, and whitening. They have a broad range of applications throughout the home, garden, garage and for health and beauty purposes. Their cleaning power comes from their chemical properties that allow them to neutralize acids, oxidize stains, and kill bacteria and germs. Combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide creates an effective bubbling cleaner but care should be taken to follow proper safety practices when handling and mixing these chemicals.