What happens when you mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide

Science for Saturdays

In this activity, you will be observing a chemical decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Before starting, you will need the help of your parents to gather materials.
Materials:
- 20 oz Soda Bottle
- ½ cup of Hydrogen peroxide (the experiment works best with 20% peroxide which is available at beauty supply stores, but it will also work with 3% peroxide available at grocery stores)
- 1 Tbsp of Dry yeast
- 1 Tbsp of Dish Soap
- ¼ cup of Water
- Tray to prevent mess
- Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions:
1. Add hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and several drops of food coloring to the bottle and swirl lightly to mix. Be careful not to shake the bottle too hard and create lots of soapy suds.
2. Mix water and yeast together in a separate dish.
3. Pour water-yeast mixture into the bottle. Do this quickly because the chemical reaction will begin immediately.
4. Make a note of your observation!

The Science Behind It:
You just witnessed the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide! Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is constantly decomposing into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2). The reason you don’t normally notice is because the process is typically very slow. The reaction you just did happened very quickly because the yeast acts as a catalyst to the reaction. In other words, the yeast helps the hydrogen peroxide decompose into more stable compounds. The reason you see the reaction so clearly is because we added dish soap. The oxygen gas that is given off by the reaction gets trapped in the soap and creates foamy suds that bubble out of the bottle and look like toothpaste big enough for a giant elephant!

H2O2→2H2O+O2

Turn It Into An Experiment:
Hypothesize! Ask yourself the following questions and write down what you think will happen in each scenario.
1. What would you see if we left out the dish soap?
2. What would happen if you use more hydrogen peroxide?
3. What happens if you use more yeast?
Design Your Experiment! Do the activity a few more times changing one variable at a time. For extra accuracy in your experiment, do several trials!
Make Observations! Make note of what you see during each of the trials.
Draw Conclusions! What can you tell from the observations you noted? How did changing each variable affect what you saw? Was your hypothesis correct?
Think Critically! Using what you learned about this chemical reaction, think about why you observed what you did? What may have caused the difference in observations

Simply mix together these 4 substances to make a foamy, bubbly, chemical reaction!

This experiment is MESSY, you will need a tray to put under your cups, or to do this experiment over a sink

3. Use your clean spoon to add one spoonful of dry yeast to your empty cup. Add 3 spoonful of warm water to the dry yeast. Stir the yeast and water mixture for 30 seconds.

4. Make observations as you stir. What do you see happening? What do you smell?

5. Quickly pour your yeast and water mixture into the cup with peroxide and soap and safely jump or step back!

Follow Up

What happened? Why do you think the mixture formed foam? Touch it. What do you feel?

You just created a chemical reaction! When the hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with the yeast, the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) breaks down into its parts: water (H₂O) and oxygen (O). The oxygen, which is a gas, wants to escape but the dish soap you added traps that gas in bubbles and makes the foam! The bubbles get trapped by the liquid dish soap which adds additional surface tension. The foam will continue to form until the hydrogen peroxide or yeast goes away completely.

When the hydrogen peroxide broke down into its parts, that reaction took a lot of energy and that energy caused the mixture to warm up.

If you and your learner enjoyed this experiment you won’t want to miss out on the GSK Science in the Summer Program, Be A Chemist! presented by the Berkshire Museum and our community partners. Join our education staff in more fizzy, fun, and phenomenal virtual experiences like this one!

Get messy and learn something new with this series of DIY activities inspired by the Berkshire Museum’s programs, exhibitions, and collections.

“When you add peroxide to dish soap, it breaks down into oxygen and water. The soapy water then traps that oxygen, creating bubbles, making your dish soap extra foamy.”

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and dish soap?

Mix one part blue dish soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the stain, let sit for 10 minutes (or longer), and rinse. (Always perform a spot check first to a discreet area of fabric.)

What happens when you add soap to hydrogen peroxide?

The hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen when it comes into contact with the yeast. Oxygen wants to escape the liquid. The gas bubbles form a foam when the dish soap traps them.

What should you not mix hydrogen peroxide with?

Cleaning Products You Should Never Mix

  • Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar. While these two chemicals can be used in succession as a cleaning duo, do not mix them together. ...
  • Drain cleaner + more drain cleaner. ...
  • Bleach + ammonia. ...
  • Bleach + rubbing alcohol. ...
  • Bleach + vinegar.

What does Dawn and peroxide do?

Mix two parts peroxide and one part dish soap (many recommend blue Dawn, but most soaps should work fine), and use it to pre-treat stubborn stains on clothing. Be aware that peroxide can be a bleaching agent, so if you're concerned about color-fastness of clothing or carpet, test it on an inconspicuous spot.

What happens when you mix Hydrogen peroxide and dish soap AGAIN!

What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda? When you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, it causes an exothermic chemical reaction that turns it into the grease and mineral-busting cleaning powerhouse that I love.

Can I mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar

Experts say this method is safe — but don't mix the two products in the same container. Combining them creates peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

What does hydrogen peroxide react with?

Hydrogen peroxide can be derivatised to form compounds capable of acting as a source of active oxygen by reacting with many compounds such as borates, pyrophosphates, carbonates, sulphates, silicates and organic compounds such as carboxylates and amides.

Can Clorox and hydrogen peroxide be mixed?

Bleach plus hydrogen peroxide creates oxygen gas so violently, it can cause an explosion. “One should not mix household cleaners as a general rule,” Langerman says. “You do not necessarily make a strong cleaner by mixing two cleaners together.”

When peroxide bubbles does it mean infection?

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.

How do you make elephant toothpaste?

At-Home Science Experiments: Elephant's Toothpaste

  1. A clean 16-oz plastic soda bottle.
  2. 1/2 cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid (20-volume is a 6% solution; you can get this from a beauty supply store or hair salon)
  3. 1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast.
  4. 3 Tablespoons of warm water.
  5. Liquid dishwashing soap.
  6. Food coloring.

Can you mix Clorox and Dawn?

Bleach and soap don't mix! Mixing chlorine bleach and cleaners like dish soap can be harmful to your health. Mixing bleach with other cleaners can release toxic gases. Bleach can irritate your skin and eyes.

Does peroxide and Dawn remove stains?

Hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid is one of the best stain removers around. Nurses have long known that this is the magic solution to getting rid of blood stains, and you can also use it on stains like mustard, ketchup, and even red wine. Scrub until the stain is gone, then launder as usual.

Can you mix Dawn and vinegar?

This match made in heaven has been a household staple for a long time and I make sure to keep it handy. To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned.

What happens if you mix hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol?

From a chemical perspective, mixing hydrogen peroxide solution and isopropyl alcohol is safe. They won't react together without the right catalyst. To minimise the possibility of a reaction, it would be best to mix them together just before use.

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and toothpaste?

Toothpastes and other dental products that contain peroxide are safe to use and can help whiten teeth. However, combining hydrogen peroxide from your medicine cabinet with toothpaste to make a homemade teeth whitener is not recommended.

Can you mix salt water with hydrogen peroxide?

The combination of salt and hydrogen peroxide will help the sore heal faster. Sometimes the simplest remedy is the best. Add some salt to warm water and rinse for about 30 seconds.

Can hydrogen peroxide start a fire?

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide liberates oxygen and heat; this can be dangerous, as spilling high-concentration hydrogen peroxide on a flammable substance can cause an immediate fire.

Why does peroxide turn white?

When you dab hydrogen peroxide on a cut, that white, fizzling foam is actually a sign that that the solution is killing bacteria as well as healthy cells.

What are 4 common uses for hydrogen peroxide?

22 Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around the Home

  • Sanitize Beauty and Manicure Tools. ...
  • Disinfect Toothbrushes and Mouth Guards. ...
  • Get Sweet-Smelling, Prettier Feet. ...
  • Whiten Discolored Nails. ...
  • Freshen and Disinfect Kitchen Sponges. ...
  • Keep Cutting Boards Bacteria-Free. ...
  • Sanitize Your Refrigerator. ...
  • Brighten Discolored Cookware.

When should you not use hydrogen peroxide?

When not to use hydrogen peroxide

  1. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on wounds. It's time to retire peroxide from first-aid duty. ...
  2. Don't put hydrogen peroxide on acne. Peroxide kills germs, and you may have acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide. ...
  3. Disinfect. ...
  4. Wash produce. ...
  5. Remove household stains. ...
  6. Clean beauty tools and nails.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean toilet bowl?

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean your toilet bowl. Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, then scrub clean. Spray hydrogen peroxide onto mirrors or glass surfaces and wipe with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper for a streak-free, mildew-free shine.

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice?

Yes!

Well, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice are a mixture you'll want to try, especially to get rid of those stubborn, pesky stains. As we've mentioned above, many recipes and DIY solutions tell you to use either lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide with baking soda.

What does salt and peroxide make?

The mixture of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide produces a strong oxidizer called sodium peroxide and can result in an exothermic mist from the onset of high temperatures and heat from the decomposition of incompatible mixtures causing a severe thermal hazard. (2 NaOH + H2O2→Na2O2 + 2 H2O).

What happens when you add soap to hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water. As a small amount of hydrogen peroxide generates a large volume of oxygen, the oxygen quickly pushes out of the container. The soapy water traps the oxygen, creating bubbles, and turns into foam.

What does peroxide and Dawn dish soap do?

Hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid is one of the best stain removers around. Nurses have long known that this is the magic solution to getting rid of blood stains, and you can also use it on stains like mustard, ketchup, and even red wine. Scrub until the stain is gone, then launder as usual.

What should you not mix hydrogen peroxide with?

Don't mix it with vinegar. Mixing hydrogen peroxide with vinegar creates peracetic acid, a corrosive acid that can harm the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. While it's okay to use the two in succession on a surface, don't ever mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in the same bottle.

Is it safe to mix dawn and hydrogen peroxide?

Mix two parts peroxide and one part dish soap (many recommend blue Dawn, but most soaps should work fine), and use it to pre-treat stubborn stains on clothing. Be aware that peroxide can be a bleaching agent, so if you're concerned about color-fastness of clothing or carpet, test it on an inconspicuous spot.