Can you use peroxide on stainless steel? (2023)

Can you use peroxide on stainless steel?

H2O2 is a very strong oxidizer. H2O2 of high purity is incompatible with almost all materials except for pure aluminum and some stainless steels.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxidizer produced by water radiolysis, is considered one of the main contributors to corrosion of the stainless steel (SS) components in the cooling system of nuclear reactors.

So can hydrogen peroxide be used on anything in the home? It's safe to use on most nonporous surfaces such as tile or stainless steel, and many people use it to disinfect surfaces, whiten fabrics (it works like bleach), and remove stains from light-colored upholstery and carpet.

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen upon heating or in the presence of numerous substances, particularly salts of such metals as iron, copper, manganese, nickel, or chromium.

Hydrogen peroxide can be corrosive even to highly corrosion resistant metals and alloys such as titanium.

Hydrogen peroxide is great at whitening and brightening stained tiles and dirty grout. Combine half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of hot water, then go to town on your flooring. Because it's so mild, it's safe for any floor type, and there's no need to rinse.

To tackle tougher stains like rust, mix a few teaspoons of cream of tartar with a some lemon juice (you can also use hydrogen peroxide) to make a paste. Apply it to the stain; let it sit for a little bit, and then rub it clean. Wash and dry the sink.

To remove stains from stainless steel, mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and baking soda to form a paste. Dab the paste onto an old toothbrush and gently scrub the stain along the grain of the steel. For stubborn stains, dab a brush into undiluted vinegar, scrub the stain, then wipe the vinegar away with a cloth.

Hydrogen peroxide is made of hydrogen and oxygen, but it's the oxygen that's key to creating rust on metal.

What should you not use hydrogen peroxide for?

A peroxide is any compound that is composed of an oxygen-oxygen single bond. This can be either in the form of an anion or in between other atoms of the molecule. Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide that can be found. It is composed of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms.

At 8% to 28% H2O2 is rated as a Class 1 Oxidizer. At these concentrations H2O2 is usually encountered as a swimming pool chemical used for pool shock treatments. In the range of 28.1% to 52% concentrations, H2O2 is rated as a Class 2 Oxidizer, a Corrosive and a Class 1 Unstable (reactive) substance.

Ordinary hydrogen peroxide works wonders on stubborn soap scum and water stain combinations that accumulate on bathtubs and metal fixtures.

Get Steel Spotless

Are your stainless steel appliances looking anything but stainless? Spray soiled surfaces with rubbing alcohol, and then wipe them down with a nonabrasive cloth to remove water scale and fingerprints so you can again enjoy stainless steel that lives up to its name.

If you're looking for greater natural shine, use olive oil, white vinegar, or a specifically formulated stainless steel cleaner. Always use a gentle microfiber cloth to prevent scuffs, use a light coating of mineral oil to avoid grime, and if any stainless-steel cookware is left in the sink, wash it right away.

It's extremely durable, highly corrosion-resistant, and virtually heatproof. But that doesn't mean it's bulletproof. Stainless steel can be damaged by abrasive pads, the wrong kinds of cleaners, and even ordinary things like water and salt. Despite its name and reputation, stainless steel can both stain and rust.

Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners for stainless steel because it cuts through oils from cooking and even fingertips. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle. Mist your stainless steel item with the vinegar and water and then wipe it off with a clean and dry cloth.

While not necessarily a “mistake”, a common misconception is that if hydrogen peroxide bubbles, it means your wound is infected. Hydrogen peroxide will bubble whether your wound is infected or not. A chemical reaction occurs while cleaning and creates little oxygen bubbles. Don't sweat over the bubbles.

What does hydrogen peroxide do to teeth?

This makes hydrogen peroxide a pretty aggressive chemical. Nonetheless, a lot of in-office and at-home treatments use peroxide based agent, carbamide peroxide, to whiten teeth. Carbamide peroxide whitens teeth by breaking down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, which works as an acid to lift up stains in the teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that will kill bacteria like staph and viruses like the H1N1 virus, SARS and coronavirus. This makes it a great disinfectant. To get the most disinfecting power, look for 3-6% hydrogen peroxide solution for making your all-purpose cleaner.

Never leave stainless steel to soak in solutions that contain chlorine, vinegar, or table salt, as long-term exposure to these can damage it.

Chemical Guys Metal Shine - Stainless Steel & Chrome Polishing

Use water or vinegar as your magic cleaners.

Simply dampen a cotton cloth with either of these solutions, wring out the excess liquid and wipe down your stainless steel appliances. Whether using water or vinegar, you will get rid of dirt and grime without damaging the stainless steel surface.

There are some special grades of hydrogen peroxide that are corrosive to aluminum. Aluminum is subject to attack from chlorides, which may be introduced with water used for dilution.

To remove rust with hydrogen peroxide, pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the surface of the rusted item, and let it sit for a few minutes. Now, scrub the rusted area with steel wool or brush. Hydrogen peroxide can also be mixed with borax for cleaning rust off metal.

Vinegar. Vinegar speeds up rusting because it contains a dilute form of acetic acid; positive hydrogen ions in the acid remove electrons from iron, ionizing it and making it susceptible to rust.

Acid is corrosive and can cause things like metal to break down. Hydrogen peroxide is made of hydrogen and oxygen, but it's the oxygen that's key to creating rust on metal.

H2O2 is a very strong oxidizer. H2O2 of high purity is incompatible with almost all materials except for pure aluminum and some stainless steels.

Can Bar Keepers Friend remove scratches from stainless steel?

Bar Keepers Friend, the well-known cleanser, is designed to remove and minimize the appearance of scratches in stainless steel. Start by applying the product to the scratched area of the sink and rub it in by following the grain with a non-abrasive cloth or a 3M Maroon Pad.

H2O2 is a strong oxidizer. I wouldn't even dare try it on anything metal. On plastic, it would perfectly be fine as long as it's not the industrial 35% grade.