Use Borax in 14 different ways that have never crossed your mind, from cleaning the house to getting rid of rust!
The first time I bought Borax wasn't to use it to clean or for laundry. I had bought it for my pre-school class so we could make slime. When I ended up with half a box left over, I brought it home for the laundry room. I hadn't actually used Borax before, but I didn't want the box to go to waste. It didn't take long for me to realize that this was one thing that I needed to keep in my laundry room.
Borax is not just for the laundry room, though. It works great around the whole house to clean. You can pick up a box at most grocery stores or on Amazon. If you aren't regularly using Borax check out these amazing ways it can be used.
Is Borax Just Baking Soda?
Even though it looks similar and many people use both of these for cleaning, they are very different.
Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed of boron, sodium, oxygen, and water.
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate. It is also a white, crystalline powder with a slightly alkaline taste. Baking soda is commonly used in baking as a leavening agent to help baked goods rise. Additionally, it has many household uses, such as a cleaning agent, deodorizer, and mild abrasive.
Is Borax Actually Safe to Use?
Borax can be safe when used properly. It has been used for various household and industrial applications for many years. However, you always want to use caution anytime chemicals are involved.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep out of reach of children and pets: Borax should be stored in a secure place away from children and pets. Ingesting large amounts of borax can be harmful.
- Do not ingest. While small amounts used in household cleaning or laundry applications are generally safe, ingesting larger quantities can cause health issues.
- Follow instructions. Use the recommended amounts and avoid overusing it.
- Wear gloves if needed. When handling Borax directly, wearing gloves can help prevent skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
- Test in inconspicuous areas: If using it for cleaning, it's a good idea to test it in inconspicuous areas first to ensure it doesn't damage the surface.
- Store properly. Keep it in its original box, away from moisture, and follow any specific storage instructions on the packaging.
14 Ways to Use Borax That You Haven't Tried
Kill Insects
You can kill ants and other insects with Borax.
Mix 3/4 cup of sugar with 1/4 a cup Borax. Then pour a small trail of the powder mix around where the ants are.
Make sure it's not where kids or animals can get into it. The ants will take the "food" back to their colony and it will kill them all.
Get Rid Of Sweat Stains
One of my favorite ways to use Borax is to get rid of sweat stains on sheets. If you have white sheets or mattress pads, you can easily get rid of the stains by using Borax and dish detergent. It's easy to do in the washing machine to avoid making a mess and still get your stains out.
Brighten Laundry
Add 1/2 cup of Borax to a load of laundry to quickly and easily brighten it along with your regular detergent.
You can also use this mixture to brighten other fabrics like pillows and sheets.
Clean Patio Furniture
Add a cup of Borax to a gallon of warm water and mix.
Use a sponge or scrub brush to scrub down the patio furniture with the borax mixture and then rinse the furniture with a hose. Not only will it clean your furniture, but it will also kill off any mildew too.
Kill Mold and Mildew
Mix a cup of Borax with a gallon of water and apply to the moldy area. This works great for showers, baths, and mildew on your patio furniture. Rinse with water once you are done cleaning. It's one of my favorite hacks.
Clean Bath & Shower
Sprinkle Borax on your tub or shower like you would Comet or Ajax. Then use a sponge or scrub brush to scrub away. Rinse the tub or shower and you are good to go!
Preserve Flowers
Add 1 part Borax with 2 parts cornmeal. Sprinkle into the bottom of a box. Place the fresh flowers on top, then add the lid. It will take about 2 weeks for them to completely dry, but this method helps to preserve their color as well.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Borax to the toilet bowl and use your toilet scrubber to spread it around the bowl. Let it sit for an hour or two depending on the stains and then scrub and flush. Your toilet will be clean and shiny again.
Get Rid Of Mice
Sprinkle 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of Borax around the area with mice. Make sure you keep your pets and children away from the space. It will poison and kill any mice.
Making Laundry Detergent
Learn how to make your laundry detergent using Borax and a few other frugal ingredients.
Free Weekly Cleaning Printable
Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free Weekly Cleaning printable!
Get Rid Of Smells
If you have some funky smells in your home make a mixture of 50 percent baking soda and 50 percent Borax. Sprinkle it on your carpet and let it sit for about an hour. Then vacuum up the mixture.
Borax can soak up odor-causing moisture from the carpet and help eliminate it along with the baking soda. It's easy and quick to do.
Use our DIY carpet cleaning solution for stained areas.
Clean the Dishwasher
Sprinkle 1/4 of Borax in the bottom of the dishwasher. Add your normal dishwashing liquid, then run a normal cycle.
Make Homemade Goo Gone
You can avoid the horrible smells of goo-gone with your own homemade goo-gone. Just mix equal parts vegetable oil and Borax to get rid of the stickiest situations!
Get Rid Of Rust
Mix a tablespoon or two of lemon juice with some Borax to make a paste. Apply to the rusty object and let sit for about an hour. Scrub away the paste, rinse, and dry. Your rust will be gone and your tools will look like new!
If you haven't tried out borax before grab a box and start cleaning. Borax isn't just for laundry rooms or slime anymore. There are some amazing ideas that will help you clean your whole home.
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