Last updated: March 2026
There's a quiet revolution happening in Australian homes. More and more people are clearing out the cabinet under the sink - the one crammed with ten different plastic bottles for ten different jobs - and replacing it with something simpler. Fewer products, less packaging, and nothing that leaves behind a cocktail of synthetic chemicals on the surfaces where you prepare food and raise your family.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide is one of the heroes of this shift. It's been used in food manufacturing and water treatment for over 170 years. And yet, for most Australian households, it's still a mystery. Today, we're changing that.
Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) looks exactly like water - colourless, odourless - but with one extra oxygen atom that makes it a powerful, natural oxidising agent. That extra oxygen is what does the cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting work.
You're probably familiar with the brown bottle from the chemist: 3% hydrogen peroxide for first aid. That's fine for minor cuts and scrapes, but it contains stabilisers - chemicals added to extend shelf life - that you really don't want near your food or in your body.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide is different. Ours is Gaiaganic's 35% solution, made right here in Australia, certified food grade, and completely free from preservatives and stabilisers. When it finishes its job, it breaks down into nothing but water and oxygen. No residue. No toxins. Nothing left behind.
The maths here are simple and satisfying. One 500ml bottle of 35% hydrogen peroxide makes approximately 6 litres of ready-to-use 3% solution. That's six times the cleaning power in a single, compact bottle - a fraction of the plastic, a fraction of the shipping weight, and a fraction of the space in your cleaning cabinet.
We stock Gaiaganic in three formats - 35% in 500ml and 200ml, and pre-diluted 3% in 500ml - so there's an option for everyone, whether you're a first-timer wanting to start with the ready-to-use version or a seasoned natural-cleaning devotee buying concentrated and diluting your own supply.
For those going the 35% route: to make a 3% solution, simply mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 11 parts water. Always add H₂O₂ to the water. Store in a dark glass or HDPE spray bottle.
1. Fruit and vegetable wash
Add a small amount of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide to a bowl of water and soak your produce for a few minutes before rinsing. It breaks down pesticide residues and surface bacteria far more effectively than water alone, and extends the freshness of leafy greens and berries.
2. Kitchen bench and chopping board sanitiser
Spray 3% solution directly onto surfaces, leave for a minute, and wipe clean. Unlike bleach-based cleaners, there's no toxic residue and no chemical smell. Use it freely on food preparation surfaces.
3. Bathroom mould and mildew remover
Spray undiluted 3% onto grout, shower corners, and tiles. Leave for ten minutes and scrub or wipe away. For stubborn mould, a slightly higher concentration of 6% works faster. It's vastly more effective than most commercial mould sprays and biodegrades completely.
4. Laundry brightener
Add half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. It brightens whites, lifts stains, and deodorises fabrics without the harsh chemicals in commercial brighteners. It's especially good at tackling mildew smells from damp towels and gym gear.
5. Toilet and tile cleaner
Pour 3% solution into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 20–30 minutes before scrubbing. Use a spray bottle for tiles, floors, and sinks. Antibacterial, antifungal, and completely non-toxic.
6. Plant care
A very dilute solution (1–3%) added to water when you're irrigating your indoor plants helps oxygenate the root zone, discourages fungal root rot, and can give struggling plants a boost. Many organic growers swear by it for seedling health and sprout preparation.
7. Oral health
Diluted to around 1% (roughly one part 3% solution to two parts water), food grade hydrogen peroxide makes an effective natural mouthwash. It can help with minor gum irritation, reduce bad breath, and support general oral hygiene. Always spit - never swallow.
8. Fridge and food storage container sanitiser
Wipe the interior of your fridge with a 3% solution to remove bacteria and odours without leaving chemical residue on the surfaces that touch your food. Works equally well on beeswax wraps, reusable containers, and lunchboxes.
9. Cutting down on single-use cleaning products
One bottle of 35% hydrogen peroxide genuinely replaces a significant number of the products currently under your sink. Benchtop spray, bathroom cleaner, laundry brightener, mould remover, produce wash, fridge cleaner - it handles all of them. Less to buy, less to store, less plastic in the recycling bin each week.
10. Wound care and first aid
In a pinch, properly diluted food grade hydrogen peroxide can be used for minor wound cleaning. However, for regular first aid use, the pre-diluted 3% version is more convenient and avoids the need to measure carefully when you're in a hurry.
At 35% concentration, this is a powerful oxidiser and deserves respect. Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling the undiluted product. Keep it stored in a cool, dark place - ideally the fridge or freezer - and out of reach of children. If it contacts skin, rinse immediately with plenty of water; you may notice temporary whitening of the skin, which resolves within an hour or two.
We stock Gaiaganic because it's Australian made, genuinely certified food grade, and free of every additive we'd rather not have in our homes. It aligns with the way we've always thought about what goes on the shelves here at Santos: fewer ingredients, cleaner production, better for people and planet.
Explore the Gaiaganic hydrogen peroxide range in-store at Santos Organics or online - available in 35% 500ml, 35% 200ml, and pre-diluted 3% 500ml. Whether you're just starting out with natural cleaning or deep into your zero-waste journey, there's a size and concentration that suits you.
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