10 surprising uses for bleach

Answer 1

1. Extend Life
   • It may come as a surprise that adding a tiny amount of bleach to the water, about 1/4 teaspoon per quart, will help keep the water in your vase clean, clear and prevent bacteria growth. Don't overdo it or you will damage the bouquet you are trying to protect.
2. Treat Eczema
   • Anyone afflicted with itchy, uncomfortable eczema will understand the need for relief. A bleach bath containing 1/2 cup of bleach to 40 gallons of water can help treat the symptoms of chronic eczema. Bleach will also kill bacteria on the skin, reducing redness and irritation.
3. Kill Weeds
   • It's amazing to think that the product that helps keep your cut flowers healthy can also help kill weeds in the cracks and crevices of the sidewalk. Pouring a bit of undiluted bleach on the pesky offenders will kill them and prevent them from coming back.
4. Clean Plastic
   • Plastic lawn furniture can get dirty and dingy sitting outside for multiple seasons. A mixture of one cup bleach to one gallon of water will help remove stubborn mildew and other stains from outdoor furniture.
5. Kill Insects
   • A mild solution of bleach mixed with water will kill insects and their eggs if sprayed in their nesting areas. Insects breathe through their exoskeleton. The bleach clogs up the openings in their bodies and prevents oxygen from entering. A capful of bleach poured into standing water will also helps eliminate mosquitoes.
6. Design Clothes
   • Bleach can be used to create amazing designs for t-shirts and other clothing. Fill a spray bottle with half bleach and half water and use with tape to make stripes or letter stickers to write your own slogans. Be sure to rinse and dry to set the creation. Bleach pens can also be used for intricate designs.
7. Disinfect Toys
   • Preventing the spread of germs is important to the health of young children. One way to keep germs at bay is to disinfect plastic toys with a bleach solution regularly. Just soak toys for 10-20 minutes in 1/4 cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water, rinse well and air dry before playing.
8. Purify Water
   • If boiling water isn't possible in an emergency, bleach can be used for water purification in a pinch. Add one 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to one gallon of water. Mix thoroughly and let stand at least 60 minutes before consuming.
9. Remove Smell
   • Smelly feet can be an embarrassing problem. Bleach can help eliminate the odor. Mix one gallon of warm water with 1/2 cup of bleach and enjoy a relaxing foot soak. Grab a pumice stone and exfoliate your feet to help them look as amazing as they now smell.
10. Clean Glassware
    • Adding a capful of bleach to your dishwasher will make your glassware sparkle and your silverware shine. Be sure not to use too much but when done correctly, this is an extremely helpful tip.
11. Remove Stains
    • Soak stubborn stains on Grandma's old china for an hour in a mixture of 1 teaspoon of bleach to one cup of water, rinse and wipe clean.
12. Clean Counters
    • Furniture polish, household cleaners, and even some soaps won't work well for cutting boards and countertops - and can even be dangerous! Scrub their surface with a brush dipped in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach diluted in 2 quarts water. Scrub in small circles, and be careful not to saturate the wood. Wipe with damp paper towel then buff dry in circles.
13. Remove Moss and Algae
    • Is your concrete walkway getting a little slippery due to slimy algae or moss, trying scrubbing with bleach. Mix 1 gallon of water with 3/4 cup of bleach and scrub the algae away! This can solution can be used on brick, stone, concrete, stucco, or the tiles on your roof, just make sure not to get it on your grass.
14. Gardening Tools
    • Most use their gardening tools on both their healthy plants and dying plants without ever washing their tools but did you know you could be transferring the disease from your dying plant on to your healthy plant. To prevent disease from spreading, sanitize your tools using 1 liter of water mixed with 1/2 cup of bleach. Let air-dry and put a few drops of oil to prevent any rust.
15. Disinfect Trash Cans
    • Putting even the best trash bags in your kitchen garbage cans doesn't always prevent leaks, and ultimately, weird smells. When you notice your can is a little funky, take it outside, hose it down, then add 1/2 cup of bleach and several drops of dishwashing liquid to a gallon of warm water. Use a cleaning brush to scrub down the walls and floor of the can, rinse, and let air dry. The mystery smells will have vanished before your nose.
16. Clean Your Grout
    • Mildew's a cinch to remove with a little 3 to 1 bleach and water mixture. Grab your toothbrush and put in a little elbow grease, and soon your tiles will be shining like new again.
17. Clean Garbage Disposal
    • Sure, they make specialized products to clean out your garbage disposal, but when you don't have the time or money to get them, opt for the next best thing - your bleach. Pour a few capfuls of bleach down the sink and let it sit for a few minutes for the bleach to kill all the bacteria and nasty odors trapped down in there. Then turn on your warm water and the disposal for just a few moments to rinse the workings out.