Bleach is a laundry room staple, but its usefulness extends beyond whitening clothes. From grimy grout to beautiful flower arrangements, discover ways this cleaner can be useful around the house.

Swipe to learn new uses for bleach around the house.

Sterilize Kitchen Sponges

Kitchen sponges can harbor bacteria, mold and mildew, especially when they stay damp between uses. Soak a sponge in a solution of 3 tablespoons regular, unscented bleach per quart of water for five minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let it air-dry completely before using.

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Clean Grimy Grout

Diluted household bleach can brighten white grout and help remove mold and mildew stains. Apply carefully, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Ventilate the room and wear gloves. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners, which can create dangerous gases.

Photography: Pinterest/Dawn Stull

Whiten Canvas Shoes

White canvas shoes can quickly pick up grass stains, dirt and grime, but diluted bleach can help restore their brightness. Mix 1 part bleach with 4 parts water, then use a toothbrush or small scrub brush to work the solution into the canvas. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool water. Air-dry the shoes away from direct heat or sunlight. Use this method only on white, bleach-safe canvas, and keep the solution away from colored trim, leather or rubber that could discolor.

Photography: Pinterest/Poshmark

Disinfect Gardening Tools

A diluted bleach solution can disinfect pruners, shears and other garden tools between plants, helping reduce the spread of some plant diseases. Clean the tools of dirt, and then, in a bucket, mix one part bleach and four parts water. Soak the tools for a few minutes in the beach mixture, then rinse in clean water and dry thoroughly to prevent corrosion.

Refresh a Musty Shower Curtain

A bleach solution can help remove mildew from washable white or bleach-safe shower curtains and liners. Check the care label first, and rinse thoroughly after cleaning. For colored or patterned curtains, use a product specifically labeled safe for those fabrics instead.

Photography: Pinterest/Hannah Fazakerley

Sanitize Garbage Cans

After emptying and rinsing a plastic trash can, a properly diluted bleach solution can disinfect the interior and help eliminate lingering odors. Let the solution sit for the label-specified contact time, then rinse well and allow the can to dry completely outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Photography: Amazon

Extend Cut Flower Life

A tiny amount of bleach in vase water can help slow bacterial growth, keeping water cleaner and cut flowers fresher. Use only a very small amount—about ¼ teaspoon of regular unscented household bleach per quart of water—and change the water regularly. Never mix bleach with other vase additives.