💧 Why I Use 12% Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide on Board
Natural, powerful, and safe for the sea.
When you live on the water, every choice you make—right down to your cleaning products—impacts the environment around you. Whether you’re washing dishes in your galley, cleaning your deck, or disinfecting your hands after a trip ashore, it’s critical to use something that’s safe for both your family and marine life.
That’s why I always keep a bottle of 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide on board. Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, it breaks down into nothing but water and oxygen, leaving no trace behind—just a clean, safe boat and a clear conscience.
What Makes It Different?
Natural & Eco-Friendly
Breaks down into water and oxygen—no chemical residue, no pollution.
No Harsh Chemicals
Free from synthetic fragrances, stabilizers, or preservatives.
Non-Toxic & Pet-Safe
Safe to use around pets and kids (with proper dilution and storage).
Free from Additives
Unlike regular peroxide, the food-grade version is additive-free and pure.
Powerful Cleaning & Disinfecting
Broad-Spectrum Disinfectant
Kills bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and fungi—naturally.
Antiviral & Antibacterial
Effective against E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, strep, and more.
Odor Eliminator
Great for smelly laundry, coolers, garbage bins, or damp towels.
Mold & Mildew Remover
Stops growth and kills spores—perfect for humid or damp spaces.
Safe for Food & Galley Use
Food-Safe
Can be used to rinse produce, sanitize cutting boards, and clean surfaces.
Sterilize Kitchen Tools
Keeps utensils and storage containers safe without toxic residue.
Great for Laundry
Naturally brightens whites without bleach.
Practical & Budget-Friendly
Highly Concentrated
Just a small amount diluted with water goes a long way.
Multipurpose
From deck to dishes, it’s one bottle for dozens of jobs.
Cost-Effective
Because it’s concentrated, one bottle lasts a long time.
Environmentally Approved
Even municipal water treatment facilities use it. If it’s safe enough for drinking water, it’s safe enough for your sink and sea.
DIY Vegetable Wash
Although I always try to find local farm stands and farmers’ markets, and buy organic whenever possible, when provisioning on the water, it’s not always clear where your produce comes from—or what it’s been exposed to. A strong, natural veggie wash helps remove dirt, pesticides, and pathogens like E. coli and Listeria, all without leaving harmful residues behind.
That’s why I use 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide for a safe, effective produce rinse—and as a bonus, it can even help extend the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables by reducing surface bacteria and mold.
How to Make a Vegetable Wash
🧪 Mix:
1 cup distilled water
5 tablespoons 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide
🫙 Store in a dark glass spray bottle or opaque container—hydrogen peroxide breaks down when exposed to light, making it less effective.
How to Use It:
Spray directly onto fruits and vegetables.
Let sit for about 1 minute.
For firm produce like apples or cucumbers, wipe clean with a clean towel.
For more delicate items—like berries, lettuce, or herbs—rinse gently under cool water after spraying.
This mix is strong enough to tackle pathogens, safe for food, and can help keep your produce fresher longer—a galley win all around.
Heavy-Duty Cleaner for Cutting Boards, Knives, Sinks—and More
Whether you’re working in a galley kitchen or a full-sized one, surfaces like cutting boards, knives, and sinks can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria—especially after prepping raw meat, poultry, or fish. That’s why I rely on a strong 1:1 solution of 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide and distilled water to deeply clean and disinfect high-contact surfaces.
But this powerful natural cleaner isn’t just for the galley—it’s also great for toilets, bathroom surfaces, garbage bins, outdoor gear, and anywhere else you’d normally use a disinfectant spray. It kills bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew without synthetic chemicals or artificial fragrances.
How to Make a Strong Surface Cleaner
🧪 Mix:
1 cup distilled water
1 cup 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide
🫙 Store in a dark spray bottle (glass or opaque plastic) to prevent light from degrading the peroxide over time.
How to Use It:
Spray directly onto surfaces like cutting boards, knives, sinks, toilets, or counters.
Let sit for 5–10 minutes for full disinfecting power.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
For food-contact surfaces, you don’t always need to rinse—hydrogen peroxide breaks down into just water and oxygen—but if you’re prepping food right away, a quick rinse and dry is a good idea.
⚠️ Important Note:
Just like bleach, this solution can discolor fabrics and porous materials, especially dark or colored surfaces. Always test on a small hidden area first, and avoid using it on natural stone, unsealed wood, or anything you wouldn’t bleach.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re deep cleaning your sink, rinsing a head of lettuce, or freshening up the head, 12% food-grade hydrogen peroxide is one of the most versatile, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible products you can keep on board.
It’s one bottle, but it replaces a dozen others.
Supply Suggestions
Ingredients
- 3 % Hydrogen peroxide
- 12 % Hydrogen peroxide MY favorite
- Spray bottle black
- spray bottles multi colored