Hydrogen peroxide might be a cleaning MVP, but it’s not always the hero your home needs. Before you start spraying it on every surface in sight, hear us out—there are a few things it just doesn’t play nice with.

We tapped two of the most trusted names in cleaning to spill the suds on what not to do with this heavy hitter cleaner.

Colored Textiles

Hydrogen peroxide’s fizz might trick you into thinking it’s sudsing up like soap, but it’s no gentle cleanser, especially when it comes to colored fabrics in your home.

“Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer, meaning it breaks down chemical bonds, including the ones in colored fabric’s dye,” Azure MacCannell, a TikTok creator who specializes in cleaning, says.

When applied to colorful textiles like pillows or upholstery, hydrogen peroxide reacts with the dye molecules in the fabric, effectively breaking apart the chromophores, which are the parts of the molecules responsible for color. This can lead to fading or even bleach-like spots. 

“Hydrogen peroxide might zap that pizza stain on your sofa’s throw pillow, but it’ll also zap your pillow’s color right along with it,” MacCannell explains. “Unless you’re going for a DIY tie-dye look, keep hydrogen peroxide far away from anything with color.”

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Wood Furniture or Cabinets

Few things shake wood’s reputation for being tough, but hydrogen peroxide can do some real damage. Its drying, astringent nature can strip away finishes, leaving wood dull, dry, and more prone to scratches.

“Hydrogen peroxide cuts through wood’s protective layer, aging it far faster than it would otherwise,” Melissa Maker, founder of Clean My Space, says.

And if your floors or cabinets are waxed? Still no dice. Peroxide can dissolve the wax, exposing the wood to moisture and stains.

“You’d be surprised how far a good swiffering can go,” Maker says. “For deeper cleans, stick to pH-neutral products like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner to keep that finish glowing.”

Leather Furniture and Decor

Hydrogen peroxide might be a hero for cuts and scrapes, but when it comes to that scuff on your leather sofa? Not so much.

The reason is, much like it does to wood, hydrogen peroxide can break down the natural oils that keep leather supple and hydrated. The result? Dryness, cracking, discoloration, and a dull, lifeless look that’s hard (and sometimes impossible) to reverse.

Instead of rooting through your medicine cabinet to clean your leather, stick to cleaners specifically made for it.

“Quality leather care products go beyond cleaning—they hydrate and protect,” MacCannell says. “They prevent dryness and cracking, ensuring your leather maintains its luxurious feel and look over time.”

Metals

Anyone with a stainless steel fridge or oven knows how tricky it can be to get that perfect, streak-free shine. But don’t be tempted to reach for the hydrogen peroxide. Maker explains how on stainless steel, peroxide can break down the protective chromium layer, which may lead to rust spots or pitting over time.

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, doesn’t fare any better.

“Hydrogen peroxide can cause uneven tarnishing or unwanted discoloration when it reacts with brass,” Maker says.

To keep your stainless steel and brass looking their best, stick with cleaners made specifically for these metals that are formulated to gently clean without harming the finish.

Natural Stones Surfaces

If you’re looking to sanitize your stone counters, hydrogen peroxide might seem like a smart, germ-busting pick. But cleaning pros say: not so fast.

“Natural stone like granite, marble, or quartzite may give off strong, silent type energy, but it’s high-maintenance under the surface,” MacCannell says. “Applying hydrogen peroxide to them is like the equivalent of exfoliating your face with sandpaper. It can break down the sealant and react with the minerals in the stone, leading to cloudiness, discoloration, and long-term damage.”

To keep your counters safe and sparkling, stick to pH-neutral cleaners made specifically for natural stone.

Electronics

Maker explains how hydrogen peroxide has an ultra-clean feel, so it’s easy to see why people reach for it when wiping down their screens. But when it comes to electronics, it’s a bad idea, she says, explaining that it can break down protective coatings, cloud your display, or even seep into ports and cause internal damage.

It might not have the same sanitizing fizz, but a microfiber cloth and a cleaner made for tech will give you a streak-free screen—minus the risk of damage.