13 Surprising Uses for Bleach Around the Home

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Bleach , aka atomic number 11 hypochlorite , has a variety of uses that cover far beyond cleaning clothes . you may use bleach for everything from promote flower blooms to minimizing mosquitoes and refresh a woods fencing . However , it ’s a potent chemical that should be used with forethought .

For safety ’s sake , keep blanching agent in a childproof cabinet and never combine it with ammonia , acetum , or other acidic dry cleaner because it can create a toxic gas that ’s potentially lethal . You should also only use it in a well - ventilated area since bleach vapor can irritate your eyes and lung . When used safely , bleach is so much more than just a way of life to white your laundry .

a large white bottle pouring a stream of clear bleach with a blue background

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1. Make Glassware Sparkle

tote up a teaspoon of bleach to your dishwasher load torestore shine and sparkleto your glassware . No dishwasher ? Simply pawn spyglass in a solution of one part bleach to four parts piss for a few hour , then wash and rinse well .

2. Boost Flower Blooms

Keepcut flowerslooking fresher for longer by adding a few drops of whitener to the water in the vase . Not only does this trick stretch the life of your flowers , but it will keep the weewee clearer as well .

3. Disinfect Gardening Tools

soaking gardentoolsin a solution of one part whitener to four part water supply to disinfect and sanitise them , which reduces the danger of spread disease from plant to plant . apply the same solution on pots to kill any disease before reprocess the container .

4. Get Rid of Weeds

Undiluted blanching agent canzap weedsgrowing through the wisecrack in your walkway or private road . Spray undiluted bleach on the weeds and let stand for a few second . The root will kill exist Mary Jane and help forbid new 1 from bourgeon . But blanching agent will also down grass , flowers , and other vegetation ( and may buoy up patio surface ) , so take care where you aim .

5. Restore Your Garden Paths and Patios

Stepping stones , masonrywalkways , concrete pavement , and brick way can look weather and older when moss and algae grows . doctor your garden lane with a result of 1 loving cup bleach to 1 gallon of urine . Spray it on the walk , let it place upright for a few minutes , then hose away , taking maintenance to aim away from margin plantings .

6. Knock Out Mosquitoes

Bleach is more than just a powerful cleanser , it ’s also apesticide . When used with care , a few drop of Clorox bleaching agent add to a birdbath keeps standing H2O mosquito - gratis . This intervention kill larvae , which get in stagnant water . A small go a foresighted way , though ; a tablespoonful of blanching agent to treat 50 gallons of water eliminates blighter while keeping feathered friend secure . Never tot up blanching agent to natural waterway and pool .

7. Renew a Wood Fence

If a woodprivacy fencehas plough hoary and dingy from mould , mold , or filth , refresh it with bleach . Place drop material on either side of your fence to protect vegetation from bleach damage and protect yourself with caoutchouc gloves and eyewear . Then dilute bleaching agent in water and , using apump sprayer , apply it to the slats of the fence . After allowing the bleach to work for a few minutes , rinse clean with a garden hose .

8. Disinfect Water in a Pinch

If you ’re in an pinch and in want of fresh drinking water but ca n’t seethe it , theEnvironmental Protection Agencyrecommends lend eight drops of 6 percent bleaching agent or six drops of 8.25 percentage whitener to 1 congius of urine to make pure it . invoke the water and blanching agent mixture and allow it sit for 30 minute . If the solution has a slight chlorine smell , then it ’s safe to drink . If not , repeat the dose .

9. Clean Up After a Disaster

If a calamity such as a hurricane , house fire , or flood hit your household , use bleach to help you houseclean upand hygienise salvageable items . Bleach can take away mold and mould from most control surface , disinfect food aerofoil to make them safe for eating , and sanitise items like toy and tool . TheCenters for Disease Control and Preventionoffer helpful drug guidelines for a variety of catastrophe cleanup items and aerofoil . If you use bleach to disinfect food surfaces , always make trusted to rinse off it totally before go down food on the Earth’s surface .

10. Purify Your Humidifier

The Environmental Protection Agency recommendscleaning a humidifierregularly to reduce mildew and bacterium , and using whitener is an effective way to get the line done . Simply mix 1 teaspoon of liquid bleach with 1 gallon of weewee , then pour it into the humidifier tank until it ’s midway full . lease it sit for 20 minute before rinse fair .

11. Sterilize Sponges

Spongesare a breeding ground for bacterium , so it ’s a good mind to sterilize them at least once per week to keep germs at bay laurel . Mix ½ teaspoonful of 8.25 - per centum bleaching agent with 1 quart of warm water , then wholly deluge the parasite for 1 mo . moneyed out the sponge with fair water , then let it dry out completely .

12. Whiten Your Shoes

When white canvas shoes get dirty , you may lighten them in good order back up with a bleach result . ( Take guardianship not to apply too much bleach since it can yellow the skid . ) integrate 1 part bleach to 5 parts water , then scrub the solution over stubborn stains using a sponge or toothbrush . After that , duck a microfiber cloth into the result and rub it over the place . in conclusion , use a different cloth to gargle the place with clean warm water before letting them dry out completely , ideally outside or in a way with caboodle of ventilation .

13. Clean Outdoor Furniture

Making a whitener result is an easy style torefresh terrace article of furniture . If your patio set has seen good days , mix a result of ⅓ cup bleach and 1 congius of water , then practice a great - duty leech or brush to apply the answer all over the article of furniture . Wait for 6 minutes to allow for disinfection , then rinse it with a hosepipe . Check any manufacturer monish first and quiz the solution on a concealed patch of the furniture if you are changeable about its utilisation .

Bleach Storage and Disposal

Theshelf life-time of bleachis usually about 6 months , but if you store it in a dark area or cabinet at way temperature , it can last for up to a year . If your bleach has expired or you do n’t need it anymore , you candispose of bleachsafely at a hazard waste disposal facility .

It ’s not a good idea to pour whitener down the drain since it can damage pipes and potentially mix with other household chemical , causing a dangerous reaction . If you must do this , check that to dilute the bleach with circle of water . If you have a infected system , avert pouring bleaching agent down the drainage . A high bleach concentration inside the infected tank can negatively dissemble the organisation ’s delicate balance of bacteria .

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