If these chemicals are kept in a sealed container for a long time, it can cause a small explosion because the carbon dioxide will try to escape. So, while you can use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach on their own for cleaning purposes, we recommend that you avoid mixing them with vinegar.
Mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda causes a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide and certain other chemicals which can cut through soap scum and hard water stains.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
“Combining these two creates peracetic acid or corrosive acid, an irritant that, in high concentrations, can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs,” says Bock.
Don't mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used on the same surface as long as it dries in between applications but they should never be mixed. When the two are mixed, it creates peracetic acid, which can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs.
If you use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide on the foliage of the plant you run the risk of burning it. You could burn the roots, but since it's necessary to kill the root rot-causing bacteria, it's a risk worth taking.
Solutions containing over 30% hydrogen peroxide can detonate when mixed with organic solvents (such as acetone, ethanol, glycerol); the violence of the explosion increases with increasing concentration of the hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen species and the simplest peroxide, a compound having an oxygen–oxygen single bond. It decomposes slowly into water and elemental oxygen when exposed to light, and rapidly in the presence of organic or reactive compounds.
The Negative Effects of Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Rinse
Rinsing with undiluted hydrogen peroxide can burn your organs and cause internal bleeding.
Baking soda is a base, and vinegar is an acid. When they're combined, acids “donate” protons to bases; in this case, it's acetic acid lending a hydrogen proton to the bicarbonate. When bicarbonate gains a hydrogen proton, it forms carbonic acid (or H2CO3) which is unstable and eventually decomposes.
A chemical reaction between the vinegar and the baking soda produces bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The dish detergent in the vinegar helps the bubbles last longer than they would with just vinegar and baking soda.
For really tough black mold removal, mix two parts baking soda with one part white vinegar and one part water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a thick paste. Spread your mixture liberally onto the surface and let it dry. Scrub away the black mold and stains, and wipe down with water.
First, it's an amazing stain pre-treater. Mix together two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of dish soap. Spread the mixture over any stain; let it sit for a bit and then launder as directed. This pre-treater is quick and inexpensive.
With certain organic compounds, hydrogen peroxide reacts to form hydroperoxides or peroxides, several of which are used to initiate polymerization reactions. In most of its reactions, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes other substances, although it is itself oxidized by a few compounds, such as potassium permanganate.
Hydrogen peroxide causes toxicity via three main mechanisms: corrosive damage, oxygen gas formation and lipid peroxidation. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is caustic and exposure may result in local tissue damage.
Manganese oxide (MnO2) is widely used in heterogeneous reaction of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide thanks to its excellent catalytic efficiency in this reaction. It is usually used in the form of a powder thanks to its very high contact surface [21].
The mixture of sugar and hydrogen peroxide produces a renewable liquid fuel that can be stored for long periods - weeks, months, years - and used when needed to power automobiles or to heat homes, factories and office buildings, or to power steam turbines for producing electricity during peak-time demand.
Hydrogen Peroxide is not combustible but it is a STRONG OXIDIZER which enhances the combustion of other substances. Flood with water to extinguish fire. DO NOT USE DRY CHEMICAL extinguishing agents.
If you are treating a sick plant or one infested with insects, use a slightly stronger mixture of one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in eight ounces of water. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on your plants more frequently than twice each week. If you make more than you need, you can store it.
For planted seedlings: Spray with H2O2 solution of 1 part H2O2 3% to 32 parts water (eg: around 30mls per 1 litre - measuring cup recommended). For established plants: Mix 1:1 ratio of 3% H2O2 and water (eg: 1 cup of each). Bottom or top water as usual (water soil only, do not pour on leaves).
The way it works is that hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria that causes root rot in plants and breaks down into the soil mix to release extra oxygen atoms to encourage the growth of healthy, new roots. The oxygen in hydrogen peroxide is what is used to kill mold, bacteria, and fungus.