Make Glassware Sparkle
Add a teaspoon of bleach to your dishwasher load to restore shine and sparkle to your glassware. No dishwasher? No problem, simply soak glasses in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water for a few minutes, then wash and rinse well.
Related: Over a Dozen Things You Didn't Know You Could Clean in the Dishwasher
Flower Power
Keep cut flowers looking fresher for longer by placing a few drops of bleach to the water in the vase. Not only does this trick extend the life of your flowers, but it will keep the water clearer as well.
Weeds Be Gone!
Undiluted bleach can zap weeds growing through the cracks in your walkway or driveway. Spray undiluted bleach on the weeds and let stand. The solution will kill existing weeds and help prevent new ones from sprouting. Bleach will kill grass, flowers, and other vegetation as well, so take care where you aim!
Related: 9 Natural Ways to Kill Weeds
Gardening Aid
The sterilizing power of bleach is put to good use in the garden. Soak garden tools in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water to disinfect and sanitize; this reduces the risk of spreading plant diseases. Use the same solution on plant pots to kill any plant diseases before reusing the pots.
Related: 12 Gadgets to Tech Out Your Garden
Down The Garden Path
Stepping stones, masonry walkways, concrete sidewalks, and brick paths can look weathered and aged when moss and algae grows. Restore your garden lanes with a solution of one cup bleach to one gallon of water. Spray on the walkway, let stand for a few minutes, and then hose away—being careful to aim away from border plantings.
Related: How To - Make a Concrete Walkway
Eliminate Mosquitoes
Bleach is more than just a powerful cleanser; it's also a pesticide. When used with care, a few drops of Clorox bleach added to a birdbath keeps standing water mosquito-free. This treatment kills larvae, which grow in stagnant water. A little goes a long way, though; a tablespoon of bleach to treat 50 gallons of water eliminates pests while keeping feathered friends safe. Never add bleach to natural waterways and ponds.
Related: Wing It - 16 Approaches to a DIY Birdbath
Renew a Wood Fence
If a wood privacy fence has turned gray and dingy from mold, mildew, or dirt, refresh it with bleach. First, place drop cloths on either side of your fence to protect vegetation from bleach damage and protect yourself with rubber gloves and eyewear. Then dilute bleach in water and, using a garden 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.
Related: Fence Styles - 10 Popular Designs to Consider
For More...
If you're interested in more alternatives uses, consider:
10 Clever Household Uses for Lemons
11 Clever Other Uses for Plastic Wrap
9 Alternative Uses for Toothpaste
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