The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Bleach does more than whiten clothesits potency also kills pesky weeds. However, does bleach kill weeds effectively, and how does it work? Learn how to mix up a spray solution and what precautions to take to do the job safely. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Avoid using it to control weeds in a vegetable garden, flower bed, or lawn. Why Bleach Works to Kill Weeds Bleach is an effective weed killer against mosttypes of small weeds....

For most loads of laundry,cold water is the best choice. Read on to find out when you shouldwash your clothes in cold waterand when you shouldn’t. Look for the icon that resembles a tub with a wavy line across the top, to represent water. Daisy-Daisy / Getty Images These symbols indicate the following temperatures: Togapix / Getty Images Does Cold Water Shrink Clothes? Although cold water will not prevent all shrinking,cold water does not generally shrink clothing....

Cherkas / Getty Images Ants are a nuisance indoors, especiallyin kitchens. Outdoors, they contribute to plant damage by enabling destructiveinsects like aphidsand whiteflies. While toxic insecticides are effective, consider using diatomaceous earth as an organic, non-toxic alternative forkilling ants. Cherkas / Getty Images Diatomaceous earth kills ants by drying out and abrading their bodies. It is non-toxic, so it is safe to use in homes, though some precautions should be taken....

But is Epsom salt actually as efficient and effective as other methods? Are Epsom Salts Effective for Use on Icy Driveways? “For lower temperatures, ice melt or specialized liquid brine may be a better option.” The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? How Effective Are Epsom Salts Compare to Other De-Icing Methods? mihailomilovanovic / Getty Images According to Zaber, Epsom salts are quicker to dissolve than other de-icing agents....

Rooting hormone can help, but what if you’d prefer a natural, homemade alternative? Meet the Expert Justin Hancockis a horticulturist at Costa Farms. He has 25 years of experience working for plant nurseries and writing for garden publications. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala That’s because willows naturally contain an auxin called indole-3-acetic acid that supports plant growth. They also contain salicylic acid, which can help fight off fungal or bacterial infections....

The Spruce / Candace Madonna People whohand-wash a lot of dishesoften wonder whether hot water kills germs. Others want to know if hot water kills germs in the laundry. And some people want to save a little money and use cold water for both dishwashing and laundry. The Spruce / Candace Madonna Does anyone have it right? Most people can tolerate a temperature of 110 degrees for a short time, but that’s about it....

Key Takeaways Does Laundry Detergent Expire? Laundry detergents come in liquid, powder, individual pods, detergent sheets, and homemade recipes. Take a closer look at the stability of each jot down of detergent. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Powdered Formula Laundry Detergents Powdered laundry detergents do not expire or lose effectiveness unless exposed to moisture. If a powdered detergent becomes hard or cakey, it should be discarded. The powder will probably not dissolve correctly or entirely in the washer, leavingsoap depositson your clothing....

Read on to learn how to determine when self-priming paint should and shouldn’t be used. What Is Self-Priming Paint? Paint and primer in one is a paint with primer mixed into it. The Spruce / Margot Cavin It allows you to entirely eliminate the priming step from your painting process. This key in of paint product is sold under a variety of names including paint-primer. What Is Paint and Primer in One?...

The Spruce / Tessa Cooper Does peppermint oil effectively control mice? Here are steps toget rid of miceand how to use peppermint oil in your home to control mice. Look for: Determine if droppings come from a mouse, bat, or rat. The Spruce / Tessa Cooper Repair the damage you uncovered. Avoid spray foam because mice and rats can easily chew through it. Wear sturdy work gloves when handling these materials....

But doesrubbing alcoholkill bed bugs? Meet the Expert Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs? Rubbing alcohol does kill bed bugs. Dzurag / Getty Images It works by dissolving their exoskeleton and dehydrating their insides. Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs, but its not a magic solution, Eason says. It doesn’t eliminate eggs or deeply hidden bugs. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Dzurag / Getty Images Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs Instantly?...

Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images Soundproof drywall dampens sound from outsideneighborsand sound from within the house. What Is Soundproof Drywall? Traditional drywall panels are made of gypsum sandwiched between layers of paper. Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images Soundproof drywall dampens or reduces sound but doesn’t entirely block it. The center layer is a viscoelastic material that dissipates energy and sound waves better than gypsum alone. Some brands claim sound-dampening levels equal to those of eight layers of standard drywall....

Meet the Expert How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use? Using a dishwasher does save water. “Older dishwasher models may use as much as 15 gallons of waterbut that’s still less than handwashing. Nick David / Getty Images How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Save? She explains that using a dishwasher nightly saves more than 100 gallons of water per week. That can total up to more than 5,000 gallons of water saved per year....

Meet the Expert Does Vinegar Kill Ants? According to our pest control professionals, vinegar does not kill ants and is not an effective extermination method. SanerG/ Getty Images Want more cleaning and organizing tips? aquaArts studio / Getty Images Can I Use Vinegar to Deter Ants? While vinegar won’t kill the ants invading your home, it may hinder their progress. Ants do not like the strong scent of vinegar, because it masks their pheromones....