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Hydrogen peroxide is amazing stuff. You know you can use it to help cuts and scrapes heal faster and to bleach your hair to an unhealthy shade of green, but hydrogen peroxide is good for so much more. From personal care to household sanitizing, hydrogen peroxide is an incredibly versatile weapon to have on hand. (Note: there is a difference between food-grade hydrogen peroxide and your usual drugstore variety. The hydrogen peroxide in the brown bottle at the grocery store is not food-grade, and is not safe when ingested - however, the peroxide in the brown bottle can be used for topical skin infections and household cleaning.)

Mouthwash and gargle

Rinsing with 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide will kill germs in the mouth that cause bad breath and gingivitis. It may taste a little funny, but it is as effective (if not more so) than any commercial mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a gargle to help relieve a sore throat or to help prevent the onset of certain illnesses such as colds and the flu. By killing some of the cold and flu germs present in the throat, you decrease the likelihood of getting sick. If the idea of swishing hydrogen peroxide around in your mouth doesn't appeal to you, you can also soak toothbrushes in it to kill any germs left behind in the bristles. This will result in fewer germs being put back into your mouth, which means a healthier mouth in general.

Canker sores and toothaches

For canker sores and toothaches, simply swish a little 3% hydrogen peroxide in your mouth once a day, or as often as desired, to kill germs and allow the sore to heal.

Athlete's foot, toenail fungus, and skin infections

Soak the affected area in hydrogen peroxide and watch the fizzing as germs are killed. This may take a while to work, especially if the infection is more severe, so give it time. Repeat as desired. Be warned though: soaking a cut or scrape in hydrogen peroxide may sting, so be prepared. For athlete's foot and other fungal infections, the treatment will need to be repeated once or twice each day until the fungus is killed.

Acne

After cleansing, use a cotton ball to apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the skin. Apply to the entire face to help heal existing acne, and to freshen and kill the germs that can cause new acne breakouts.

Sinus infections

Mix one tablespoon of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide with one cup of distilled water for use as a sinus spray to kill and prevent sinus infection. Some people require a stronger solution, while some people can tolerate

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