You’ve likely heard a lot about hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) over your lifetime and are familiar with the brown bottle sitting in your medicine cabinet as the fizzy solution that cleans wounds and removes blood, but this is just one form of peroxide available. At The 1 Minute Miracle, we talk a lot about the benefits of hydrogen peroxide, including as a weight-loss cleanse. However, it’s important to note that not all hydrogen peroxide is created equal, and in high enough concentrations, peroxide can be used as rocket fuel! In today’s post, we want to help clarify the various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and how to turn food-grade hydrogen peroxide into just about any concentration you need.
3% “Household” Hydrogen Peroxide
3% hydrogen peroxide is the standard household peroxide that is available at any drugstore in the classic brown bottle. 3% hydrogen peroxide has traditionally been used to clean wounds and as an oral rinse. More recent uses of this concentration of peroxide include effective deodorizing, as an emetic when pets eat something dangerous, and as a natural alternative kitchen cleaner. Lower concentrations, varying from 0.1% to 3% can be used in toothpaste and canker sore treatments.
6- 10% Hydrogen Peroxide
A higher concentration of household peroxide is the main ingredient in hair and teeth bleaching products. When used to bleach hair, the hydrogen peroxide is mixed with water and other ingredients to form a paste that is placed on the hair. Because it works on the hair’s cortex, it is an incredibly effective bleaching agent that reveals blonde locks from even the darkest hair. Because it can burn the scalp and skin, it’s important to use it only on hair. Similarly, 6-9% hydrogen peroxide is used in teeth bleaching kits. It’s important to note that you should always use the trays provided to avoid contact with other tissue and never leave the product on beyond the recommended time as it can break down enamel and damage teeth structure.
12% Hydrogen Peroxide
12% hydrogen peroxide is one of the most common concentrations for household cleaning agents and for use in food cleansing and preservation. Commonly, 12% hydrogen peroxide is diluted with 35% food-grade peroxide to make it easier to ship and make household use safer.
35% Hydrogen Peroxide
35% “food-grade” hydrogen peroxide is used for various purposes in the food industry including processing cheese, bleaching wheat flour, and decontaminating food packaging materials to contain microorganisms. This concentration is considered food-grade because it does not require stabilizers such as acetanilide, phenol, sodium stanate, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, that prevent lesser concentrations from vaporizing. This concentration of peroxide should always be diluted before use.
60%+ Hydrogen Peroxide
Any concentrations of hydrogen peroxide of 60% or greater are considered oxidizers and corrosive agents that have restricted use and availability. 60% hydrogen peroxide is used by pulp bleaching plants to create white paper. Most peroxides at higher concentrations are diluted to reduce volatility and provide safer transportation and storage. 90% hydrogen peroxide is used as rocket fuel!
Hydrogen peroxide has many uses and applications and is available in a variety of concentrations. It is important to know which concentration you are using and for which applications it is safe. Always read the product label and ensure you are properly diluting the peroxide for safe use and handling. At 1 Minute Miracle, we offer 3% peroxide, 12% hydrogen peroxide, and 35% hydrogen peroxide concentrations, along with information on how to properly dilute them and a handy dropper to ensure safe use. Additionally, our book reveals the amazing powers of peroxide. Browse our entire product line online today!
