20 borax uses and everything you need to know about borax

Let’s get to know borax

In this article we explain 20 borax uses that will surprise many not familiar with borax.

Borax is also known as boron, sodium borate, disodium tetraborate  or sodium tetraborate tetraborate. It’s a composition of boron, sodium, water and oxygen.

Borax is a component of many popular products found in stores all around the world. Products such as detergents, surface sprays, cosmetics, fire retardant ant-rid products just to name a few. It is also used to make fiberglass and a flux in metallurgy.

Where is borax found?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral found primarily in United States, Turkey, Chile, Bolivia, Tibet and Romania. It is a product created by the evaporation of lakes and is in the form of crystals. When these lakes evaporate they leave a deposit of borax which is collected for manufacture. This biggest deposits are found in the countries listed above.

According to sciencedirect Borax has a ph of 9.13 when dissolved in water. This makes it very alkaline and naturally not a good idea to handle borax directly and undiluted as it could leave skin feeling itchy and irritated. Although using borax is much less toxic than some other commercial products which are used around the home. It can be used safely for many and varied borax uses.

Along with baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar it is a versatile and valuable product to store and keep around the house. They have many and varied uses, either around the home or garden. We will discuss in detail how we can use borax in so many different ways it will amaze you.

Borax uses

1. Remove clothing stains: Works best for grease, oil and soiled clothes. To achieve this add half cup of borax for each gallon of water, soak for 30 mins then add to washing machine with your preferred detergent.

2. Clear clogged pipes and drains: Pour a cup of borax down the clogged drain and then pour 4 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 20 minutes and flush with more boiling water.

3. Toilet bowl cleaner: Simply add half cup of borax in the bowl and using a scrub brush give the bowl a good clean.

4. Remove bad odors in the home: To create an odor neutralizing spray, add half cup of borax with one and a half cups of warm water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and transfer to a spray bottle. Spray where bad odors reside such laundry, toilet areas or anywhere that’s a problem area.

5. General surface cleaner: Add a little borax to a damp cloth and clean your desired surface. When you have finished clean those same surfaces with damp cloth. You can clean just about anything from table tops, cookware, faucets, handles etc.

6. Controlling pests around the home: Insects that groom themselves don’t do so well with borax around. Specifically insects like ants, silverfish, cockroaches and fleas. Apply a light coating of borax around the problem areas, this will help to reduce or eliminate there numbers.

7. Grout remover: Removing grout is a breeze using our wonder cleaner. This will require making a thick paste by adding 1 cup of borax, 1.5 cups baking soda and continue adding vinegar until you get a nice thick paste. Add some of the paste onto a toothbrush or small brush and apply to the grout. Let it soak for around 10 minutes then using the brush scrub off the grout. When done rinse the area with clean water. This will also inhibit further mold to appear for longer than normal.

8. Rust remover: Mix 1 cup borax with lemon juice until it turn into a thick paste. Apply it to the rusted area and leave to soak for about 15 minutes. Use either steel brush or steel sponge to remove the rust. You may need to repeat the process for difficult rust stains. Remember to rinse with clean water after removing the rust.

9. Clean windows: Create a spray mixture but adding 1 table spoon borax with warm water. Place in a spray bottle and away you go. I use scrunched up newspaper instead of a cloth and does a great job.

10. Carpet stain removal: For hard to get out stains use a quarter cup of borax with 1 cup of warm water. Add to the stained area and leave to soak for about 20 minutes. Use a moist rag and wipe or scrub the stain, if required, leave to dry. For better results use a steam cleaner, this does a really good job for hard to get out stains.

11. Home made soap for dishes: This is a great way to save some money by adding a cup of borax, 1 table spoons baking soda to a finely grated soap bar. Mix together in a shallow tray. Leave to dry overnight and cut the dried mixture in half to get 2 bars of soap.

12. Kill weeds: To create the mixture add 1 cup borax to 1 gallon(4 liters) of water and pour into spray bottle. This is great for clearing weeds in and around paved areas. If you do decide to spray weeds in amongst the garden then spray directly onto the leaves of the weed itself and not the soil and the plants you want to keep.

13. Garbage bin cleaner and deodorizer: This is my once a month chore and works great. In an empty garbage bin add 2 cup borax and 2 gallons (8 litres) of boiling water. Use a broom to scrub the inside and outside of the bin. Use a smaller brush for tight spots. This will leave your bin spotless and odor free.

14. Goo remover: This is great for removing goo such as chewing gum from hard surfaces around the home. Make a solution by adding 2 table spoons of borax in a small jar with another 3 table spoons of water and apply to the goo. Leave to sit for a few minutes and slowly with a toothbrush start peeling of from the sides.

15. Humidifier cleaner: This is another one of those borax uses that’s unusual but effective. Even humidifiers need a clean after a while. Add 1 cup with 1 gallon (4 liters) of water in the tank and run the humidifier for around 15 minutes. Once done rinse the tank with clean water and there you have it.

16. Nourish fruit trees: Use this method sparingly as too much would be counter productive. Sprinkle about 1 cup of borax around the base of a mature fruit tree. Only use a quarter of that for a young tree. This can be done every 4 years or so.

17. Car Upholstery cleaner: Simply sprinkle a thin layer of borax directly onto the upholstery, leave to sit for 5 minutes and either vacuum cleaner or for better results use a steam cleaner using just water.

18. Whitten pillows: We know how dirty pillows can get. Try this method first before running out to buy new ones. It’s a good idea to do this to all you pillow cases in the house. In a bucket of hot water add 1 cup of laundry detergent, 1 cup bleach and half cup of borax. Leave to soak for thirty minutes to allow the cleaning process to get started. Give them a hand scrub and now run the pillows through a full cycle in the washing machine.

19. Athlete foot soak: Do you have problems with athletes foot? Can be caught from hot environments like locker rooms, showers and pools, usually in public areas. Remember to wear thongs or slippers in these areas. First grab a bucket big enough to place you feet in comfortably and add half cup of borax to warm water and mix well. Soak your feet for as long as your comfortable and rinse feet thoroughly. The more frequent you soak the quicker you can rid yourself of athletes foot.

20. Clean violin and guitar strings: Make a diluted mixture of one part borax with 4 parts water and after dissolving the mixture dampen a towel into the mixture and clean the strings thoroughly. Now enjoy clean and longer lasting strings. Another little known borax uses that few people would know.

Final thoughts:

As you can clearly see borax is another one of those precious commodities that all preppers should have in stock. It has multiple borax uses, it is very cheap, easy to store and doesn’t take much space. As opposed to other detergents and cleaners according to NPIC it is non-carcinogenic and that’s got to be a good thing right! Sure it is highly alkaline with a ph of 9 but in diluted form it is relatively safe. Be sure to use common sense with it’s usage, but used safely it can be a safe and valuable product to have around. There are several varieties of borax to purchase but they are mostly fairly similar.