My Friend And Yours, Hydrogen Peroxide
Written: Jul 14 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Multi use product, safe for the environment, inexpensive.
Cons: Usually found under the sink, covered with dust.
The Bottom Line: .
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| Freak369's Full Review: Peroxide |
You might be wondering if I have lost my sanity. Yes, this is a review about hydrogen peroxide, the same stuff that is sitting in your bathroom closet or vanity in that brown bottle covered with dust. The point of this review is to shed some light on the other uses and applications on this product that is usually not thought of until an accident or when cleaning out the closet.
I guess the best place to start the review is the creation of hydrogen peroxide. It was first ‘discovered’ in 1818 by L. J. Thenard. [1777-1857]. Louis Jacques Thenard, born in La Louptière, France was a man of many talents. However, he excelled in the realm of chemistry as well as pharmacology. After completing his education he went on to become a professor at the Collège de France and was then appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Paris. Some of his discoveries include the pigment [called Thenard blue] used in coloring porcelain, both sodium and potassium peroxide, boron and hydrogen manipulation.
OK, Where Does It Come From?
Hydrogen peroxide, the common 3% solution that is used to clean cuts, scrape or minor injuries made from three ingredients; the concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution [30% or higher], phenacetin and water. If you ever wondered why it comes in the brown bottle – here is the answer. Contact with light, sunlight mainly, reduces the effectiveness of the product. When scientists tried packaging the solution in white and clear bottles they saw that there was a reduced reaction in the white bottle and little or no reaction in the clear bottle. If you ever wondered why there is an expiration date on the bottle is for this reason – the solution loses 10% of its strength every year – so after about 2 years the product is basically useless.
The Common Use
Using hydrogen peroxide is about as simple as it gets. Open bottle, pour over wound, watch cool foaming reaction, pat dry, keep clean and don’t pick at the scabs. But even as simple as that may seem, there are still people who are confused on how to use it. I am not a doctor so any information in this review is just that, information. If you have a deep puncture, were bitten by an animal that isn’t a household pet with current shots or can not stop the bleeding within a few minutes, please seek professional medical assistance.
My own first experience with our friend hydrogen peroxide was when I was about five years old. I decided to run down a hill with my shoes untied to chase after my brothers who – for whatever reason – seemed to be having more fun that me. Needless to say, my little chubby legs bit off more than they could chew – literally. I landed, knees first, on some asphalt. At first I didn’t feel anything … then I felt like someone sprayed my legs with a water gun – then I looked down. My knees were torn to shreds – loose flesh hanging, blood everywhere and I could see part of my kneecap. Pretty gross huh? Off to the clinic with my uncoordinated little self. My legs were both examined by a doctor – or at least he claimed to be a doctor [I still have my doubts]. I had heard of peroxide and had seen it used but never on myself. So when that foam started kicking up I went into terror overload – it took about five suckers before I shut my face and stopped crying. Hey, at five that stuff can really scare you.
If you find yourself needing peroxide to clean a wound on a child you might want to give them a little bit of a play by play description of what might happen. A slight sting, cold feeling, foaming, lots of pink liquid [the oxygenated blood]. If the wound is too big for a band-aid use some gauze or a sterile dressing to prevent everything in sight from getting stuck to it.
Some people are still clueless on how to use peroxide; they scrub the wound with soap and water – which is far more traumatizing to the skin then irrigating it with peroxide. If you have chunks of any foreign material in the wound, try to rinse it with cool water first then follow up with the peroxide to kill off anything that may have started breeding in there. If you have a wound on your knee or elbow you may want to consider using a sport bandage that will allow movement to the joint as well as protection from dirt and infection. Use a triple antibiotic ointment to promote faster healing time as well as added protection from germs.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Making The Grade
Hydrogen peroxide comes in many different grades – meaning strengths. While most people only come in contact with the standard 3% solution found in drug store and supermarkets there are many other uses besides being a first aid treatment.
3%: The most common variation. Used for first aid treatment of cuts to cleanse, irrigate and protect from infection after the initial injury. The 3% solution can also be used to sanitize countertops, showers [great to remove mildew] as well as a fresh produce cleaner. Use ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide in a sink of water, soak non-leafy vegetables [no lettuce, parsley, cilantro etc] for three minutes, rinse well and store in the refrigerator. Safer and 95% cheaper than commercial vegetable cleaners.
6%: Ever get your hair dyed? Ever heard the term ‘bottled blond’? Well, the 6% grade of hydrogen peroxide is used mainly for hair coloring by beauticians. Of course, just adding straight hydrogen peroxide to your hair won’t have the same effect [it will change the color but if you do this near sunlight your hair may turn orange]. In order for the 6% solution to work it needs an activator to form a chemical reaction and change the color of the hair. This strength is also used for commercial cleaning as well as sanitization purposes.
30%: This grade is used for a variety of purposes, one of the most popular being to clean transistors and integrated chip parts after they have been handled prior to assembly. This is to remove and oils from human contact or any dust or contact dirt that many have become attached to the pieces. The 30% solution is also used in medical experiments, mostly dealing with alternative power sources, chemical reactions and medical research.
35%: There are several different types of grades in this concentrations; Technical and Food grade. The 35% Food grade is usually what the 3% solution is made from but in it’s concentrated form it is used for the disinfection of water, in certain food processes [cheese and whey products] and to make natural toothpastes [like the ones that claim to whiten your teeth in 30 days]. The Technical 35% solution is used for waste treatment and laundry products since it helps to promote more oxygen which results in whiter whites and brighter colors with less harmful chemicals. {cough OxyBright, OxyClean Oxiclean products].
90 – 99%: Used only in facilities that conduct experiments with alternative fuel resources.
A Natural Mouthwash?
Some people claim to have whitened their teeth using the 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide – either diluted or full strength. For some reason I just can’t fathom doing that. I have read several reports on the subject and the reviews are mixed. Dentists say that at 3% there isn’t enough of a reaction to whiten teeth but when used as a mouthwash it will remove loose debris from teeth – then again so will straight tap water. And others claim that gargling or swishing with it has made their teeth look like a million dollar smile. Since I’ve never personally tried it I can’t exactly comment on it – and as most of you know I am a dedicated Epinioner who goes to great lengths to provide an extensive review, however, this is where I draw the line. My suggestion. What ever you don’t swallow it and make sure you rinse with water afterwards.
What About That Funky Foam?
Ever see that foam that is produced when you pour hydrogen peroxide over a cut or scrape? Well, it’s a pretty cool thing that’s going on. When you are cut or scrap yourself you r bleed, but in the blood there are also damaged or dead cells [like when the blood dries and turns brown]. Now, inside the blood and exposed cells there is an enzyme called catalase, when the hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with the blood and cells it has a chemical reaction – foam. So the foam you see is pure oxygen being released. If you have kids around the house you can do a little experiment with them – cut a potato [or any high starch vegetable] and pour a little hydrogen peroxide over it. You’ll get the same type of foam reaction. To do this use a fresh potato for the best results.
Hydrogen Peroxide Saves The World
So, maybe that is stretching that a little. But here is some more useless knowledge for you to carry with you today. Scientists are working on a new form of earth friendly power made from the chemical reactions that occur between hydrogen peroxide and aluminum. This chemical reaction – when coupled with methanol or ethanol – can produce a fuel that is non-hazardous, does not deplete natural resources and can be recycled over Andover again with minimal cost. Please don’t try this at home folks, you need an extremely strong grade of hydrogen peroxide [over 90%] – something that isn’t available to the general public.
The Weird, Wild and Wacky Uses
Sure, it’s for first aid but when have you ever known this freak to play by the rules. I have found a ton of household uses for this stuff, and in most cases it’s saved me money, time and eliminated the fumes that chemicals create.
Please use caution if you try any of these household hints. While hydrogen peroxide is usually non-harmful, if mixed with other cleaners, chemicals or compounds it would result in a dangerous situation.
If you have gross icky stuff in your toilet use a few ounces of hydrogen peroxide and allow it to soak for a while before flushing. Please don’t do this is you have any type of toilet bowl cleaner already in use – either in the bowl or in the tank. You can achieve the same cleaning effect from a can of carbonated soda, pop the top, pour it in and let it stand overnight.
If you want an inexpensive fruit and vegetable wash try this. Get two clean squirt bottles, preferably new. In one pour your hydrogen peroxide and in the other some type of vinegar – but not wine vinegar. Squirt down your produce – no leafy greens unless you really want to rinse them well – with one bottle and then the next and rinse well. It doesn’t make a difference which you use first, but make sure you use two separate bottles [don’t get cheap or lazy and combine the liquids into one bottle, this only reduces the effectiveness].
If you need to sanitize your countertops – great after cutting meat – spray on some hydrogen peroxide from a squirt bottle and rinse with cold tap water. No chemical residue, no smell and hands that don’t stink like Fantastik.
There are tons of experiments that can be done by kids [with adult supervision that is] using hydrogen peroxide. If you are going to check out any of the Bill Nye websites, please invest in some goggles and protective gloves before hand as well and having the proper tools to complete the experiments [test tubes, rubber stoppers, newspaper on the floor etc].
Well, that about wraps it up for this review. I hope you learned a few things about your little household friend. If you know of any other uses for hydrogen peroxide please feel free to leave them in the comment section.
As always, thanks for the read!
^V^ Freak ^V^
Recommended:
Yes
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