Friday, June 1, 2018

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Clean Your College Dorm

Posted: 01 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT

A messy dorm can be irritating for its occupants, and nobody wants to be rooming in unpleasant living conditions. To keep visitors (and your roommates, and yourself!) from thinking that you live in a dumpster, it's important to clean your dorm. Yes, it's a task that you probably don't want to do and you may not even know where to start, but you'll definitely be pleased with the results when you're done.

EditSteps

EditUsing Cleaning Strategies

  1. Choose a good time to clean. It's unlikely you're going to want to clean up your dorm right after you've woken up, and roommates or people living in the nearby dorms probably wouldn't appreciate you vacuuming very early. On the flip side, you don't want to throw your sheets in the wash shortly before you go to bed, only to realize you now have to wait for those sheets to be done washing. Try to clean during the day when you have the time and energy.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • Some tasks, such as laundry, are good to do in the morning or the evening, when less students are using the machines.[1] Other tasks, such as vacuuming, should be done outside of the dorm's quiet hours so you don't disturb anybody.
  2. See if your roommate is willing to help. If you have a roommate, check with them on if they're able to help you clean and if they can help you with any of the tasks. For example, maybe your roommate could do the laundry while you wash the dishes. See if you can come up with a chore system for who cleans what, or trade jobs weekly.[2]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • If you have a messy roommate, use "I" language rather than "you" language to encourage them to clean up, and explain what bothers you and why.[3] For example, you could say to your roommate, "I get nervous when there are liquids right near the computer, because I'm worried they might get knocked onto it. Could you please put your water glasses on your nightstand instead?"
  3. Have some cleaning supplies on hand. Keeping spare cleaning supplies makes it easier to clean up your dorm, whether it's during a weekly cleaning or just an unplanned attempt at keeping the microwave meal from staining your carpet. It's recommended to keep:[4][5]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Antibacterial wipes
    • Dish soap
    • Vacuum or mini-vacuum
    • A mop, if your dorm has wooden floors
    • Paper towels
    • Air freshener
  4. Avoid letting things pile up. If you let a mess pile up in your dorm, it'll feel overwhelming when you actually go to clean it. A good way to prevent this from happening is to schedule a cleaning day, so that clutter doesn't accumulate over a period of weeks.[6] Scheduling what cleaning jobs you do on what days during the month can help you keep things organized.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Clean up spills as soon as they happen so that you don't end up with stains.
    • Throw out old food as soon as possible. Don't put it in your trash bin; take it outside to the dumpster. It can cause your dorm to smell.[7][8]
    • Things like clothes or sheets that smell particularly bad should be washed as soon as possible. A sealable bag is a good idea for storing it until it can be washed.[9]
  5. Clean the most cluttered part first. If you have dirty clothes thrown all over the room, or a mass of papers lying in a disorganized heap on the floor, clean that up first. If you get the messiest part out of the way first, the room will look much cleaner when you have that part done.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 5 Version 2.jpg
  6. Try to multi-task. Chances are, some cleaning tasks don't need your attendance the whole time. If another task needs a bit of time (such as allowing a particularly dirty dish to soak), tackle another activity in the meantime that you haven't done yet. This makes for much more efficient cleaning, since you can get more done at once.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Be smart about your multi-tasking, though. For example, if the washers or dryers in your dorm's laundry room don't lock, it might not be a good idea to leave your laundry unattended while cleaning the rest of your dorm, since someone could steal your laundry.
    • Your multi-tasking doesn't even need to be completely cleaning-related. Installing those computer software updates while deep-cleaning your dorm can be a great way to get two things you don't like doing out of the way at once!
  7. Keep things organized. Having an organizational system will make it easier to keep things tidy. Keep your laundry hamper and trash bin in locations close to where you'll need them,[10] and use folders, desk containers, and bins to keep things in their proper places. A shower caddy tucked into your closet or shelf can keep your hygiene supplies from getting strewn all over the place, too![11]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    • If you, like many other college students, are tight on space, try boosting up your bed so that you can store more things underneath it.[12]

EditCleaning Up the Dorm

  1. Gather clothes, towels, and sheets needing washing. Cleaning day is the ideal day to do laundry, so empty your hamper and pull your sheets off your bed. Take these things to the laundry room as soon as they're all gathered so you can wash them. After they've been washed, fold them up so that they don't wrinkle, and put them away.[13]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • Generally, most clothes should be washed after one wear (with the exception of jeans and bras, which can usually take two to three wears); bath towels should be washed every three uses at most, and sheets should be washed every one to two weeks. You should wash these more frequently if someone's been sick.[14]
    • Do your laundry at least once a week.[15]
  2. Wash any dirty dishes. Even if the only dishes you have are a coffeepot and a microwave plate, it's still important to wash them so that they don't grow moldy. If you don't have access to a dishwasher, fill up a sink or dish pan with hot water and use some dish soap and a sponge or dish wand to scrub the dishes. Then let them dry.[16]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 9.jpg
    • If you don't have access to a sink or dish pan, try using a plastic tub filled with water and some dish soap. You can also try using your dorm's shared bathroom sinks, but if you do, make sure there's no food stuck to the dishes, since food can clog a drain (and is gross for someone else to find).
  3. Throw your trash in the trash bin. Don't allow a food-wrapper collection to build up on your desk or for there to be a congregation of empty boxes in the corner - throw those away as soon as possible. You should always take out the trash as soon as it's full, regardless of whether you're doing a full-room cleaning or not.[17]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 10.jpg
    • Remember to recycle, if you can. Papers, plastics, glass, and some metals can usually be recycled.[18]
  4. Make your bed. It's recommended to make your bed every day, since it will make your room look tidier.[19][20] You don't need to have a fancy comforter or have more pillows than your mattress can handle, but you should at least keep the sheets from becoming a rumpled heap.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 11.jpg
    • If you pulled off your sheets to wash them, remake your bed when you have fresh sheets.
  5. De-clutter your desk. If you have papers and writing utensils strewn across your desk, clean them up and put them back where they belong. Don't forget about any drawers in your desk, too - it's easy to shove things in there and forget about them, but drawers can be even more of a hassle to clean than the top of your desk, especially if they're unorganized.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 12.jpg
  6. Make sure your food is still good. If you keep any food in your dorm, go through it and throw away any food that's expired, stale, or is growing mold. Make sure to clean out containers of food after the food is gone, and toss any leftovers that have been sitting in your fridge for a long time to prevent excessive bacteria buildup.[21][22]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 13.jpg
    • If your fridge itself needs to be cleaned, you can wipe the interior with dish soap and warm water.[23] However, if it's gotten moldy, you'll need to do a deep-cleaning with baking soda or vinegar.
  7. Clean off reflective or glass surfaces. Mirrors and windows can get smudged or splattered on, so it's best to clean these off with glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth. If you don't have glass cleaner, mix a few drops of dish soap into water and use that as an alternative.[24] It's a good idea to clean them every one to two weeks.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 14.jpg
    • Avoid spraying down things like TV screens or computer screens. Normally it's best to use a lint-free cloth to clean off screens, but if you don't have one available, using a coffee filter will work.[25]
  8. Wipe down other surfaces. Use a duster or antibacterial wipes to clean off non-glass surfaces, such as your desk, nightstand table, or windowsill. This prevents dust from accumulating and should be done every week or two.
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 15.jpg
  9. Open your windows, if it's warm enough. Airing out your dorm room can allow any residual smells to get out, which is especially helpful if something in your room was beginning to reek. It also makes it possible to hang things such as rugs or bedding out the window to air them out.[26] Just be careful not to let anything fall out the window!
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 17.jpg
    • If you can't open the window, but your room smells bad, use air freshener. Spare dryer sheets will also work if you have one; tape one onto your AC or a fan and run it to spread the scent of the dryer sheet.[27]
  10. Vacuum or mop your dorm. You'll usually need to do this about every one to two weeks, taking into consideration how messy your dorm tends to get. Make sure to move any rugs or floor items out of the way, and then vacuum or mop up, making sure to get the corners and the hard-to-reach spaces.[28]
    Clean Your College Dorm Step 16.jpg
    • If you have a rug in your dorm, make sure you vacuum it, since crumbs and dust can easily gather in a rug (even if you don't have carpeting anywhere else).

EditTips

  • If your dorm room has a private bathroom, keep in mind that you (and your roommates) will be responsible for cleaning it. However, most dorms don't have private bathrooms, so it's unlikely to come up.[29]
  • Some roommates let each other borrow things, such as clothes. Make sure these aren't exempt from being cleaned!
  • If you need to dust but don't have a way of doing so, try pulling an old sock over your hand and wiping down the surface.[30]
  • De-clutter as much as possible to keep a mess from forming. Throw away anything you won't need, ship home any clothes or supplies you haven't needed, and keep paper clutter to a minimum by finding schedules and so forth online.[31]
  • Remember to check under your bed and desk to make sure nothing has landed under there.

EditWarnings

  • Check with your roommates before cleaning up any of their belongings. Some roommates don't want their items being touched.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Care for a Goat

Posted: 01 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Goats are smart, curious pets that are fun to have around. However, they can also be hard work. If not cared for properly, they can get aggressive and may try to escape to greener pastures -- literally. Luckily, you can make your goat a happy family member by creating a safe home for them, feeding them properly, grooming them, and keeping them healthy.

EditSteps

EditCreating a Safe Home

  1. Set aside a pasture. Your pasture should be large enough to accommodate your goat, a shelter, and entertainment features, such as large rocks for the goat to climb on. Your goat will forage for food in its pasture, so giving it more space will allow for more grazing. Goats like to eat plants, including weeds, grass, and bushes, so your goat pasture should have a lot of vegetation.
    Care for a Goat Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • Goats forage for food and will eat whatever is in their pasture. Make sure everything growing in your pasture is non-toxic.
    • Goats love weeds, so don't pull them. Your goat will enjoy munching on them.[1]
    • Ideally, you should provide a minimum of an acre of pasture to allow for foraging. If your lot is smaller, you will need to supplement your goat's diet with hay and pellets.[2]
  2. Install a strong fence around the pasture. Your fence should not only keep the goat in, it should also keep predators out. Goats are smart and can climb, so they commonly escape from their pen. The fence should be high and difficult to climb, measuring at least 6 feet high. Some goat owners choose to install an electric fence, which provides an extra deterrent to escape.
    Care for a Goat Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • You can construct a sturdy fence by installing heavy wood posts deep into the ground. Then anchor them with concrete. Secure the fence with livestock fencing, choosing the small mesh over the large.[3]
    • Keep any enrichment items away from the fence so your goats don't escape.
    • Your goat is less likely to try to escape if it has lots of space, plenty of food, a nice shelter, and entertainment.[4]
  3. Build a shelter for the goat. At the minimum, your goat will need a 3-sided shelter that faces the south, which helps protect it from wind. The goat will rely on the shelter to protect it from the elements, especially rain and heat. The shelter should be well ventilated but free from drafts. Place straw bedding inside the shelter so that the goat is comfortable.[5]
    Care for a Goat Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Goats can live in a small shed or large dog house.
    • You may choose to install a concrete floor in the shelter, which is easy to maintain. However, it's also expensive and should be covered with a soft straw bedding.
  4. Provide entertainment for your goat. Goats are very intelligent, and a bored goat will go looking for trouble. Entertainment could include large rocks, a ramp to climb on, or recycled barrels. The goat will enjoy climbing on the items, as well as butting its head against them.[6]
    Care for a Goat Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Make sure that whatever you place in the goat's pen is sturdy and free of things that could harm the goat, such as protruding nails.
    • Use toys and treats to keep your goat's mind active.

EditFeeding Your Goat

  1. Provide fresh water. Your goat needs access to fresh water at all times. Use a heavy watering container, as goats can turn them over. You should check the water at least twice a day, more during extreme temperatures.[7]
    Care for a Goat Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • During winter, you may need to provide water throughout the day if the temperature drops below freezing. You can also purchase a freeze-proof watering device from a livestock store.[8]
  2. Provide your goat with plenty vegetation to graze. This could include grass, weeds, brush, vining plants, and other greenery. Goats can even eat prickly vegetation like briars! If your pasture doesn't have a lot of variety, you may consider spreading seeds for common weeds like dandelion. Plant shrubs along the fenceline, as goats prefer to graze there. You can also bring the goat cuttings from yummy plants.[9] It's best to provide your goat with a mix of the following:
    Care for a Goat Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Grasses
    • Weeds
    • Vining plants
    • Ivy
    • Thistle
    • Brambles
    • Nettles
  3. Keep your goat away from poisonous plants. Goats may have a reputation for being able to eat anything, but there are plants that can harm a goat. Although goats are able to sniff out dangerous plants, they're also curious and may munch on them anyway. Make sure that these plants don't grow in or near your pasture, and avoid supplying cuttings of them to your goat. Common plants that are poisonous to goats include:[10]
    Care for a Goat Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    • Rhododendrons
    • Milkweed
    • Azaleas
    • Yew
    • Oleander
    • Delphinium
    • Lily-of-the-valley
    • Larkspur
    • Wild cherry
    • Buckthorn
    • Lilac
    • Daffodil
    • Laurel
    • Poppy
    • Rhubarb
    • Tomato
  4. Supplement grazing with hay and other grains. Goats don't require grains in their diet, but they will enjoy munching on them. Grains are also a great food choice during winter or if your pasture is too small to accommodate grazing alone.[11] Feed the goat grains like hay, oats, bran, and barley.
    Care for a Goat Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • Goats normally eat 3-4% of their body weight each day.[12] You will need to base your goat's feed supply on the weight of the goat.
    • You only need to supplement your goat's diet if it doesn't have enough foraging material to eat. You may also want to supplement a dam before breeding or a goat that you are fattening up for slaughter.
    • You can also find feed pellets for goats, which are nutrient dense. You can provide these as an alternative to grains.
    • Feed them extra food during the winter, as this will help them withstand lower temperatures.[13] For example, you may feed them up to 4% of their body weight in grains if the goat cannot forage.
  5. Hang your feeders off of the ground. Although they love to graze, goats don't like to eat their feed from off the ground. Keeping the food off the ground reduces the chance of mold, as well as prevents insects from eating or infesting it. When you are supplying them with food, such as hay, it's best to mount it on the wall of the shelter or on a fence post.
    Care for a Goat Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Feeders used for horses are a good option.
    • If you have more than one goat, choose a wide feeder. The goats may try to push each other out of the way, and a narrow feeder can result in injury.[14]
  6. Get a vet recommended salt lick supplement. Goats need a variety of vitamins and minerals in their diet, but the quality of their diet can depend on soil quality and what you feed them. In many cases, they will need a supplement. Many owners choose a salt mix or salt lick that contains the needed mineral(s). This way the goat will happily eat the supplement, and they'll drink more water, as well!
    Care for a Goat Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    • Your vet can tell you which blend will work best for your goat, as the quality of the soil in your region will determine which blend of minerals you need. They can also tell you how much of the salt lick supplement you should provide to your goat and how often.
    • You can purchase your goat's salt mix or salt lick at a livestock store or online.
    • Make sure that extra supplement is stored away from the goats, as they may eat more than they're supposed to if they can.[15]

EditGrooming Your Goat

  1. Brush out its coat daily. First, use a hard brush to break up and remove any caked on mud and dirt. Then, run a comb through the goat's coat to remove any remaining particles. Finally, run a soft brush over the goat to create a shiny coat. As you do this, run your hands along the goat's body to make sure that you don't feel any lumps or bumps that could indicate a possible illness or injury.[16]
    Care for a Goat Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    • If you do feel anything abnormal or if your goat's demeanor has changed, call the vet immediately.
  2. Inspect your goat's hooves daily. Keep your goat's hooves as dry as possible. During the daily brushing, check the goat's hooves for damage or items that may get stuck in them, such as rocks or dirt. Remove anything that you see and make sure that the hoof looks good. If you notice any foul odors or signs of damage, call your vet immediately.
    Care for a Goat Step 12.jpg
    • You can remove stones or dirt from a goat's hoof with a hoof pick or by hand.
    • Foul odors can result from a condition called hoof rot, which needs treatment.[17] In most cases, the goat will need copper sulfate foot baths.[18] However, you should consult your vet.
  3. Cut your goat's hooves. Your goat can't run, jump, and climb happily without healthy hooves. Unfortunately, too much cutting and too little cutting can both make your goat lame. Have a professional show you how to cut your goat's hooves, as well as the right size for the hooves. Once your goat's hooves are properly cut, you'll need to trim them every 6-8 weeks to maintain that length.[19]
    Care for a Goat Step 13.jpg
    • If you don't feel comfortable cutting the goat's hooves, get a professional to do it. It's far better to pay the professional every time rather than risk harming your goat.
  4. Trim your goat's coat if necessary. Use a pair of electric clippers to trim the goat's coat. During cooler weather, this may include trimming around the udders, belly, tail, and thighs to keep it neat. During summer, you may choose to trim the goat's coat shorter so that it's more comfortable.[20]
    Care for a Goat Step 14.jpg
    • If you're new to using the clippers, start with just a small area until you get the hang of it. It's also a good idea to have someone who is experienced show you how to use them.
    • Don't clip near the goat's eyes, ears, or sensitive areas until you know how to use the clippers safely.
    • There is no minimum length for a goat's coat, but you should consider the weather in your area. It's not a good idea to clip the goat's hair short if the weather may cool down.

EditKeeping Your Goat Healthy

  1. Remove manure and soiled bedding daily. Scoop out poop and wet, stinky bedding every day. This includes in the pasture and in the goat's shelter. Replace the bedding with fresh hay.
    Care for a Goat Step 15.jpg
    • This will prevent your goat from becoming ill since you're removing the parasites that live in the manure.
    • Once or twice a year, you should do a deep cleaning of your goat's shelter. Remove the bedding and scrub down all surfaces. Then replace the bedding with fresh hay.
  2. Exercise your goat. Goats are active animals, so make sure your goat gets lots of exercise. Encourage your goat to climb by placing things to climb on in their pasture, such as large rocks, wooden structures, and bushes. You can also run and play with your goat.
    Care for a Goat Step 16.jpg
    • If your pasture is on the smaller side, take the goat on a walk.
    • Goats also enjoy items like a seesaw, which allows them to run up and down it to try to balance it.
  3. Ask your vet about the "BoSe" shot. The BoSe shot contains Selenium and Vitamin E, which your goat needs to stay healthy. They're especially important for muscle, bone, and reproductive health. Since many goats are deficient in these important minerals, the shot is usually administered to goats once yearly.
    Care for a Goat Step 17.jpg
    • Since it's only available through the vet, you'll need a prescription for the shot.
    • If you're breeding your goat(s), it's a good idea to give them the shot before breeding season. It helps the kid develop properly and protects the dam from complications.
  4. Vaccinate your goat annually. Goats should be given the CDT vaccine, which protects against Clostridium perfringens type C and D, as well as tetanus. The vaccine's effect wanes over time, so you must administer a booster yearly.
    Care for a Goat Step 18.jpg
    • If the goats are breeding, bucks should be given their booster 30 days before breeding season, while dams should get their shot 30 days before kidding. Baby goats should be first vaccinated at 5-6 weeks and then again 3-4 weeks later.[21]
    • You can also vaccinate the goat against rabies if your vet recommends it. Rabies vaccinations are not standard in goats.[22]
  5. Deworm your goat only after consulting with a vet. Goats can get internal parasites, such as worms, so deworming is helpful. Since there are few dewormers formulated for goats, you'll likely need to use one made for sheep, cattle, or horses. You'll need to adjust the dosage based on the size of your goat, which is why you should talk to your vet first.
    Care for a Goat Step 19.jpg
  6. Watch for bloating. Goats can bloat for several reasons, such as overeating, eating an imbalance of foods, or eating something poisonous. In any case, it can be dangerous. If you notice that your goat's belly is bigger, rounder, and harder than it was the day before, call your vet to get it examined.
    Care for a Goat Step 20.jpg
    • You may also notice that the goat's belly is distended or that the goat is having trouble walking. The goat may also be gassy.
    • It's best to consult your vet before trying to treat your goat. An example treatment consists of drenching a pint of mineral oil or cooking oil down the goat's throat, and then walking and massaging the goat until it releases the gas. Then mix of sodium bicarbonate into of water or molasses. Feed this to the goat.[24]
    • Bloating can be very harmful to your goat, so get it treated immediately.

EditVideo

EditTips

  • You can keep just 1 goat, but they'll be happier if you have at least 2 goats. Goats will also play with dogs and other livestock.
  • Make sure the latch on the fence is on the outside of the gate.
  • If you don't know how to trim hooves, take them to a vet or a hoof care professional.
  • Goats love to climb and jump, so give them some sort of big rocks or other items they can jump on.
  • If you choose to have a dehorned goat, the recommended age for dehorning is about one week old. Matured goats should only be dehorned by a veterinarian.
  • For more information on raising goats in your region, visit your local 4H-Club.

EditWarnings

  • Many ornamental plants, like azaleas, are poisonous to goats. Make sure that the plants you provide are safe for your goat.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Kill Vines

Posted: 01 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT

Removing vines from your garden can be challenging, but there are many different strategies to try! You can kill vines by cutting them down and removing their root systems, or by smothering them with mulch. Vinegar and boiling water are also good, non-toxic options for getting rid of vines. For stubborn, persistent vines, use a systemic herbicide to attack the roots and destroy them for good!

EditSteps

EditRemoving the Vines Manually

  1. Cover up to protect your skin from the vines. Some species of vines, such as English ivy, may cause irritation to your skin. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves, pants, and shoes to cover your skin when you handle vines. You should also wear thick gardening gloves.[1]
    Kill Vines Step 1 Version 3.jpg
    • Proper attire may also protect you from scratches and bug bites while you work.
  2. Pry away climbing vines from trees or buildings with a sturdy, flat tool. To avoid damage to the trees or other surfaces they are clinging to, remove vines by using a long, flat object to pry it away. Gently insert a screwdriver, crowbar, or similar tool between each vine and the surface it is clinging to. Slowly pull the vine up and away.[2]
    Kill Vines Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • If you are removing vines from a tree, pull them off slowly to avoid damaging the tree's bark.
  3. Cut away vines with pruning shears or a pruning saw. Cut off climbing vines at a height of . Remove the vines underneath the cut, leaving the top parts to eventually die off without a connection to their root system. Use pruning shears or a razor tooth pruning saw to sever the vines, depending on their thickness.[3]
    Kill Vines Step 3 Version 3.jpg
    • Dispose of all vine cuttings right away as new plants can grow easily from cut stems.
  4. Pull or dig the base of the vines out of the ground by hand. If the vine is still fairly small, you should be able to track down the roots. Pull the roots out by hand or use a shovel or trowel to dig the root system out completely. Remove the underground roots, bulbs, and tubers completely to effectively kill the vines.[4]
    Kill Vines Step 4 Version 3.jpg
    • For best results, do this when the soil is moist and soft. You will be able to move more of the dirt around this way, giving you better access to the root system.
    • Note that you might need to dig out vine seedlings regularly for a few months or years to keep the problem under control.
  5. Mow vines growing on the ground to kill them easily. Groundcover vines can be controlled by cutting them down with a lawn mower. Use a gas-powered machine that will be powerful enough to cut through tough vines instead of just rolling over them. Doing this at least 3-4 times a year will slowly kill the spreading vine.[5]
    Kill Vines Step 5 Version 3.jpg
    • Electric or rotary mowers are more likely to run over vines than to cut them.
    • If you want to reduce the hard labor of killing vines, this is the best option to try.

EditUsing Non-Toxic Materials to Kill the Vines

  1. Smother the vine with mulch. Vines require light, water, and air to survive and grow. Cover the vine with mulch, which is made up of any materials you can use to cover the area where the vines grow. Cover the area thoroughly to deprive the vines of enough light, sun, and air to kill them off within a few weeks.[6]
    Kill Vines Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • Try to use biodegradable mulch materials like grass cuttings, tree bark, old newspaper, or dead leaves so that they can decompose into the soil after killing the vines.
    • Alternatively, you can cover the vines with plastic sheeting. This will rob the plant of oxygen and build up intense heat, which is likely kill off the vine after a few weeks.
  2. Spray the vines with a vinegar mixture. Fill a spray bottle or garden sprayer with a mixture of 80% water and 20% white vinegar. Douse the vines with the mixture. Check their condition after 2-3 days and pull out any dead vines. Repeat the process if necessary.[7]
    Kill Vines Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • Be careful to avoid spraying other plants with the mixture.
  3. Pour boiling water onto the root crown of the vines. Cut away the bulk of the surface vines with pruning shears and discard them. Use a shovel or trowel to dig into the ground until you reach the vine root. Pour of boiling water directly onto the top of the root system, where the roots meet the base of the plant. [8]
    Kill Vines Step 8 Version 3.jpg

EditApplying a Systemic Herbicide

  1. Buy a triclopyr herbicide to kill thick, woody vines. Systemic herbicides enter the vines' circulatory system through their leaves, then kill off their roots. Use a triclopyr herbicide, the strongest type of systemic herbicide, to kill vines that are strong and thick. This will penetrate the tough exterior of the vines easily.[9]
    Kill Vines Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • Buy herbicide at a local garden center or hardware store.
  2. Use a glyphosate herbicide to tackle herbaceous vines. Vines that are fine and plant-like can be removed with a milder systemic herbicide. Apply a glyphosate herbicide to the vine leaves to be absorbed into the circulatory system. Herbaceous vines are not as durable as woody vines and can be killed without need for a more intense poison.[10]
    Kill Vines Step 10 Version 3.jpg
  3. Spray isolated vine leaves with systemic herbicide. If you are killing vine leaves on the ground or on a building that are not touching other plants, spray them with herbicide. Apply enough herbicide to completely wet the foliage of the vine. Avoid dousing the leaves enough to cause runoff onto the ground, which may damage the soil and the roots of nearby plants.[11]
    Kill Vines Step 11 Version 3.jpg
    • Do not spray vines growing on trees or other plants.
    • It may take several weeks or months to kill the vines depending on their thickness and how developed their root system is.
    • Multiple applications may be necessary.
  4. Cover your other plants with plastic bags or plastic sheeting while you spray. Protect your garden from vine-killing chemicals by covering them completely with thick plastic. To protect their roots, cover the soil surrounding them as much as possible. Ground the plastic with large rocks, bricks, or stakes while you spray.[12]
    Kill Vines Step 12 Version 3.jpg
    • Remove the plastic 2-3 hours after applying the herbicide.
  5. Cut away large vines and treat the stumps with herbicide. Larger, well-established vines are likely to be intertwined with other plants or firmly planted on building or trees. Cut away these vines with a pruning saw or shears and leave a stump. Apply an undiluted triclopyr herbicide directly to the freshly cut stump.[13]
    Kill Vines Step 13 Version 3.jpg
    • The treated stump should die within a week or 2 after the herbicide attacks the root system.

EditThings You'll Need

EditPhysically Removing the Vines

  • Gloves
  • Protective clothing
  • Trowel or shovel
  • Pruning shears or pruning saw
  • Lawn mower

EditUsing Non-Toxic Materials to Kill the Vines

  • Mulch
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Vinegar
  • Boiling water

EditUsing a Systemic Herbicide

  • Systemic herbicide (glyphosate or triclopyr)
  • Plastic bags or sheeting
  • Rocks or bricks
  • Pruning saw or shears

EditTips

  • Do not put vine cuttings in your compost pile as they will take root and grow there.
  • Clean your tools with rubbing alcohol after using them.

EditSources and Citations


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