The Brown Bottle in the Medicine Cabinet

Renée Rainville of rRainville.com can be found at the Marketplace at Simpson Spring, every Saturday 10am - 2pm

This list seems endless.  

For too many years I allowed that brown bottle to sit idle in my medicine cabinet, unaware of how much assistance it could provide.  It all started when I was seeking options to get the armpit stains out of my older shirts. You may presume I love laundry since I have been pushing Laundry Soap on you week after week since November. I do. 

However I'm also a sweater. Sweating is natural. I just didn't want my wardrobe to suffer the consequences so I started educating myself. My solution: chlorophyll (tons of leafy greens and in pill form - google it or wait for my article in a few weeks on the extreme benefits of chlorophyll) to prevent the stains and hydrogen peroxide to remove the old stains from shirts. What I learned next simply blew me away.  

Hydrogen peroxide should be called oxygen water since it is the same chemical makeup as water but with an extra oxygen atom (H2O2).  Because of this it breaks down quickly and harmlessly into oxygen and water.  

I learned some other interesting facts about hydrogen peroxide:

• It is found in all living material.
• White blood cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to fight bacteria and infections.
• Fruit and vegetables naturally produce hydrogen peroxide - an additional reason eating RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES is so healthy for you.
• It is found in massive dosages in the mother's first milk called colostrum, and it is transferred to the baby to boost their immune system.
• It is found in rain water because some of the H2O in the atmosphere receives an additional oxygen atom from the ozone (O3) AND this H2O2 makes plants grow faster.
• Next to apple cider vinegar it ranks up there as one of the best household remedies.

You guys may have already known about some of these solutions but I bet some are new and interesting.  Reply to this post/email and tell me what problems YOU use hydrogen peroxide to solve - I need to learn some new tricks.  

While writing this, I am referring to the standard 3% hydrogen peroxide available at your local drug store. I'm just going to make a list - there are so many uses I've begun replacing the cap on the brown bottle with a sprayer for faster, more convenient usage:

• Wash veggies and fruits to remove dirt, wax and pesticides - add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to a sink of cold water - after washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly with cool water.
• Add 2 oz to your regular dishwashing detergent for a sanitizing boost.
• Add 2 oz to your bottle of regular dish soap to enhance your results.
• Use as a mouthwash to freshen breath - it kills bacteria that causes halitosis by using a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.
• Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste for brushing teeth - helps with early stages of gingivitis as it kills bacteria.
• Mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and salt for use as a whitening toothpaste.
• Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and to prevent the transfer of germs - particularly helpful when someone has a cold or the flu.
• Clean your cutting board and countertop by spraying then letting it bubble for a few minutes - scrub and rinsing clean.
• Wipe out your refrigerator and dishwasher - because it is non-toxic, it is great for cleaning places that store food and dishes.
• Clean your sponges by soaking for 10 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a shallow dish.  Be sure to rinse thoroughly after.
• Remove baked-on debris from pots and pans by combining hydrogen peroxide with enough baking soda to make a paste then rub on to the pan and let stand.  Using a scrubber sponge and warm water, the stains will easily lift off.
• Whiten bathtub grout by drying the tub thoroughly then spraying liberally with hydrogen peroxide.  Let stand - it may bubble slightly. Scrub grout with an old toothbrush. Repeating may be necessary.
• Clean the toilet bowl by pouring 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide into bowl - let stand for 20 minutes then scrub clean.
• Spray down the shower with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and viruses.
• Clean your humidifier and steamer by mixing one pint of hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water to run through your machine.
• Wash your shower curtain with hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew and built up soap scum by placing it in the washer with a bath towel and your regular detergent (preferably MY Earth Friendly Laundry Soap) while adding one cup of hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.
•  Towels smell musty?  Add 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and a 1/2 cup of vinegar and let stand for 15 minutes then wash as usual.
• Remove stains from clothing, curtains and tablecloths by soaking in hydrogen peroxide before laundering. Also, add a cup of peroxide to a regular load of whites to boost brightness - it is a great alternative to bleach!
• Brighten dingy floors by combining 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of hot water for use as washing detergent.  It is mild enough to be used on any floor type. There is no need to rinse.  Add a few drops of essential oils to enhance your experience. 
• Clean kids' toys, toy boxes, door knobs and play area safely with this gentle cleanser by spraying on a regular basis, giving it a minute, then wiping clean. Safe for those with respiratory problems as it is not a lung irritant.
• Ward off plant fungus by adding a little hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle next time you spritz your plants.
• Add natural highlights to your hair by diluting hydrogen peroxide to a 50/50 solution then spraying on wet hair.
• According to some alternative therapy practitioners, adding half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to a warm bath can help detoxify the body. Some are skeptical of this claim but this type of bath is sure to leave you, and your tub, squeaky clean.
• Prevent wilting and better preserve your salad greens by spraying a solution of 1/2 cup water and one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, drain, cover and refrigerate.
• Sanitize lunch boxes/bags - spray, let stand then wipe clean.
•  Help clear skin by dabbing hydrogen peroxide on pimples and acne.
• Help sprout seeds for new plantings by spraying hydrogen peroxide on the seed every time you remoisten.
• Improve your plants' root system by watering with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts of water.
• Remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths by filling a sink with cold water and 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide - soak for at least an hour and rinse in cold water before air drying.
• Remove ear wax by mixing a solution of a couple of drops of almond, grapeseed or olive oil with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and adding a few drops at a time to the ear - tilt head to remove solution and wax. Repeat as necessary.
• Manage foot fungus by spraying feet with a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water, especially the toes, every night then let them air dry. Also, soak feet in the same solution to help soften calluses and corns while disinfecting minor cuts.
• Using sparingly, hydrogen peroxide is safe to control fungi present in aquariums.
• Pet sprayed by a skunk?  Combine one quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, one teaspoon of dawn dish detergent and 2 quarts of warm water. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

As for my old armpit stain situation, I make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, apply it to the affected area and let stand before washing. The more I apply this mixture before laundering, the more these old stains diminish. This works great on whites, be sure to test a safe area on colors to ensure it is color safe. I'll continue to help you get healthy on a dime week after week with my informative articles. If there is a topic you would like me to cover, please reply to this post or visit my website rRainville.com.

Renée Rainville

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rRainvilleLLC@gmail.com