We have developed here for the first time a novel method to generate hydroxyl radicals, .OH, by applying slightly negative electric potentials (-0.2 - -0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl) to the surface of a metal (or metal oxide) that is in contact with hydrogen peroxide solution containing a supporting electrolyte. Namely, .OH radicals were generated at the surface by the electrolysis of hydrogen peroxide according to the equation, H2O2 + e(-) --> .OH + OH-. This method was used to clean a stainless steel fouled with a model protein, beta-lactoglobulin. The .OHs generated at the surface were effective in removing beta-lactoglobulin that had been irreversibly adsorbed, by several minutes of treatment at room temperature (22 +/- 2degreesC). The removal rates measured for various concentrations of H2O2, and supporting electrolyte and different potentials were determined exclusively by the electric current.