Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide Grades and Percentages

It is safe to rinse your mouth and gargle with a 3% household solution to remove mucus and treat cold sores, periodontal disease and gingivitis but it should never be swallowed.  Some American citizens buy 3% hydrogen peroxide solutions in bulk from Lab Alley so that they can mix it with sodium bicarbonate to make their own toothpaste.

The 3% pharmaceutical grade hydrogen peroxide sold at supermarkets and drug stores contains stabilizers and should not be ingested. These 3% solutions are used safely to treat acne by removing dead skin cells and to treat minor burns, scrapes and cuts. Solutions greater than 3% to 6% should not be used on the skin. The 6% hydrogen peroxide solutions used by beauty shops is not safe for ingestion.  Hydrogen peroxide used to bleach hair is normally a 6% or 10% solution. Hydrogen peroxide is used to treat ear infections and for oral health.

3% and 6% solutions are excellent for cleaning cupboards and cabinets that are used to store utensils and dishes.  The 3% hydrogen peroxide solution sold by Lab Alley is used by hospitals to kill and prevent the spread of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria.  

The 30% hydrogen peroxide solution (Reagent Grade) is used by laboratories to conduct scientific experiments. It contains stabilizers, and absolutely should not be used internally.  Use Hydrogen Peroxide 30% to make solutions for the induction of apoptosis.

The 30% hydrogen peroxide solution (Electronic Grade Or Semiconductor Grade) sold by Lab Alley is used to clean electronic parts and silicon wafers, to remove photoresists and to etch metallic copper on printed circuit boards. Hydrogen peroxide 30% solution is used for cleaning floors and in nutrient feeding programs for the cultivation of plants. H2O2 is also used to prevent and treat root rot.  Plants that are watered with hydrogen peroxide benefit from extra oxygen in the root zone after chemical breaks down.  Food grade hydrogen peroxide can be mixed with water to increase the health and strength of plants.  Gardeners buy food grade hydrogen peroxide in order to sterilize growing mediums such as river sand.  They also use it to kill weeds.

Chefs and cooks use high grade food grade hydrogen peroxide to create diluted solutions that are used to wash vegetables and fruits, control mold and to remove fungus, pesticides, bacteria and dirt. Food grade hydrogen peroxide is used in poultry hatcheries in the U.S. as a disinfectant.