No one in their right mind enjoys bugs biting them, or destroying the crops in their garden, or transferring disease. But with the crazy number of mosquitoes around the world, it seems almost impossible to get away from it all. Bug sprays from the store are full of chemicals and make your skin smell absolutely terrible. Sure, they might keep the bugs away, but they’ll also keep your significant other away.
To avoid being bit and smelling like something no one can pronounce, try this DIY peroxide pesticide. Mix one-part peroxide to one-part water in a small spray bottle and spray directly on the skin to deter bugs. Hydrogen peroxide can actually kill insect eggs and larvae of some kinds, as well.
Give Your Dishwasher a Boost
Hydrogen peroxide can work wonders within the insides of your dishwasher. Adding some 3% solution to the machine before a wash cycle can oxidize and sanitize the entire area. Simply add ¼ cup of peroxide to the bottom of the machine before you close it and push start.
You can buy dishwasher cleaning fluid at the stores, but there’s a good chance it will be full of chemicals. Do you really want toxic chemicals inside of the thing your dishes that you eat food off of go into every day? This at-home solution is non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about what you’re ingesting.
Clean Your Humidifier
Among the many amazing benefits of hydrogen peroxide is keeping your air clean. Now, you can’t just toss it around the room and hope for the best but using it in tandem with your humidifier can help ensure the air you’re breathing is clear.
Add a few drops of the solution to the water tank to help keep bacteria at bay. Make sure that you’re using the three percent peroxide. This method will work best if you’re using filtered water in your humidifier. Brita's reusable filters make it easy to keep it refilled without spending a ton of money.
Clear Up Your Skin
Acne is caused by having a buildup of sebum (oil) on your skin. There is an array of expensive products out there, but if you’ve struggled with acne for a while, you know they don’t always work. Next time you get a breakout, grab an extra bottle of hydrogen peroxide and some cotton balls and head to the bathroom.
First, wash your face with your regular cleanser and pat dry with a washcloth. Dip one of your cotton balls in the peroxide and dab it all over the affected areas of your face. Be sure not to use the solution for any longer than five minutes, as overdoing it can cause your skin to dry out too much.
Rust Buster
Much like many other impure elements, rust is something else that can be dissolved by the miraculous powers of hydrogen peroxide. To remove rust from small metal objects like nuts and bolts, simply fill up a tub with the bubbly liquid. Pop the bolts into the tub and let them sit for 30 minutes.
When the half an hour is up, use a copper cloth or something equally as rough and scrub the metal until you no longer see any rust. For larger pieces, you can try pouring the peroxide over them, if they’re positioned in such a way it won’t just roll right off of it, and then follow the same scrubbing instructions.