This article may contain affiliate links. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Are you curious about the name Borax? I was when I first heard about it. It was very unclear to me what this product was used to do. I decided to purchase it so I could conquer my curiosity.
Exploring Borax has been very interesting. This is an excellent product to have in your home. It works inside and out. In the garden and all the way into your garage. It can be used as an insecticide, a cleaning spray, and also as an air freshener.
Borax is a non-toxic product that is used for household purposes only. If ingested, it can be harmful to humans and pets. It is an alkaline product, which means it can cause skin irritations.
It’s best to use a glove when cleaning with borax or any other cleaning product, just to keep your fingers looking elegant. Here are 17 amazing borax household hacks.
1. The “Cast Iron” Oven Rack Restoration
Oven racks are notoriously difficult to clean because grease bakes onto the metal. Borax acts as a water softener that allows soap to penetrate that carbonized “crust” without you having to scrub for hours.
-
The Instructions:
-
Line your bathtub with an old towel (to prevent scratching) and lay the oven racks on top.
-
Fill the tub with enough hot water to submerge the racks.
-
Sprinkle 1 cup of Borax and ½ cup of Dawn dish soap over the water.
-
Let them soak for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
-
In the morning, the grease will be so soft you can literally wipe it off with a rag. Rinse and dry!
-
2. The “Fresh-Step” Garbage Disposal Deep Clean
Garbage disposals often smell because of “biofilm”—a slimy layer of bacteria and food particles stuck under the blades. Borax is alkaline, which kills the odors and breaks down the slime better than vinegar.
-
The Instructions:
-
Pour 3 tablespoons of Borax directly down the disposal drain.
-
Let it sit for 1 hour—do not run the water! This gives the Borax time to neutralize the acidic food odors.
-
Boil a kettle of water.
-
Turn on the disposal and slowly pour the boiling water down the drain. The heat “activates” the Borax to blast away the loosened slime.
-
3. The “Vintage” Hairbrush & Comb Detox
Hairbrushes collect skin oils, old hairspray, and dust that regular soap can’t always cut through. Borax strips away the oily residue and sanitizes the bristles without damaging the brush handle.
-
The Instructions:
-
In a large bowl or the sink, mix 1 tablespoon of Borax with a squirt of gentle shampoo and 2 cups of warm water.
-
Remove any loose hair from your brushes first.
-
Submerge the bristles in the solution and let them soak for 20 minutes.
-
Swish the brushes around to loosen the debris, then rinse under cool water. Lay them bristles-down on a towel to air dry.
-
4. STRESS-FREE RUST REMOVER
Clean all your rusty things, like tools, grills, or even your rusty kitchen utensils, with this simple mixture. Mix 1 part lemon juice and 1 part Borax.
Sprinkle the mixture on the rust, then let it sit for 30 minutes. During this time, just relax or do a workout while you wait. OK, SO THAT’S OVER. Finally, wipe it clean, and repeat the process only if necessary.
5. UNCLOG BLOCKED TOILETS
How on earth does this work? Well, it does, though this may sound a bit messy; scoop as much water from the toilet. Pour in 1/2 cup of Borax.
Allow it to sit for 15 minutes to 1/2 hour. Add 3 cups of boiling water and flush. If all the mess is not completely flushed, repeat the process.
6. CLEANS GREASY SINKS AND COUNTERTOPS
These two should be spotless at all times, as they are the first things you see when you enter a kitchen. To clean your sinks and counters, you will need, 2 tbsp of vinegar and 1 tbsp of Borax.
Combine and add to a spray bottle. Fill the spray bottle with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, and shake well. Use this to keep your sinks and counters looking splendid at all times.
7. REMOVES GREASE FROM DISHES FAST
Don’t we all want to know how to make our own dish soap? I don’t know about you, but this is something I could use. Mix 1 tbsp of finely chopped bar soap with 1 tbsp of Borax.
Add to this 3 cups of boiling water and let it cool. Use this to wash your dishes as you would with any other dish soap. The results will be the same or even better if you want a fast way out. Pour Borax on your greasy plates and wash them with warm water.
8. CLEANS STICKY FLOOR (TILES)
A sticky floor is not pleasant to walk on. I love to walk around my house barefoot; it just feels better, but that’s when you really feel how messy your floor is.
To clean your floor free of stickiness, mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of Borax in a bucket. Fill the bucket up with warm water and add a little dish soap. Use this solution to mop your floor. Your floor will be clean as a whistle!
9. CLEANS MESSY TOILETS
A few years ago, I lived with some really messy roommates. Before I used the toilet, I had to clean it, and that was not cool. Thanks to Borax, I survived. Pour 1 cup of Borax into the toilet, wait for a few minutes, then brush with a toilet brush and flush.
You can even use it on a damp sheet of paper towel to wipe the toilet seat and toilet handle. It works out well for me. (Smart tip) Always keep a box of BORAX in the bathroom where everyone can see it.
10. KILL ANT COLONIES
Keep ants out by breaking down their colonies with borax. Combine equal parts of sugar and borax. Sprinkle this on their trail.
They will take it straight back into their colony to share with their friends, and they will all die. There you go! It is over; you will be free of ants. Time to go ant hunting.
11. BORAX FIRE EXTINGUISHER
This is very important to remember, and you may never know when this will work for you. Another agent, such as baking soda, works well in putting out a grease fire, but did you know that borax will blow that fire out just the same?
Borax is a perfect fire extinguisher to have around whenever a fire is being used. Throw borax powder directly on the flames or use it to stop the fire from spreading, making a barrier around the flame. The fire will not be able to pass the line.
12. KILL WEEDS ON DRIVEWAY AND WALKWAY
If your driveway or walkway is constantly covered with unwanted weeds, Borax can help you weed them out for good. Simply sprinkle borax on the weeds for 2 consecutive days.
Within a few days, the weeds will gradually die. Using borax to control the weeds will not only kill them but also take months before they return.
13. KILLS MILDEW AND MOLD
To remove mold and mildew using Borax, heat 1 liter of water, then add a cup of borax. Combine to dissolve the powder, then pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Make sure to wear protective gear for your face and hands when dealing with mold, as mold is toxic. Use a bristle brush to loosen the mold and mildew. Spray the solution on the saturated area. Allow sitting for 1-2 hours, then rinse with warm water.
14. BORAX ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
To create your borax all-purpose cleaner, simply do this. Pour 3 cups of warm water into a container. To this, add 3 tablespoons of borax powder into the water.
Enhance the solution simply by adding a squirt of Dawn dish soap, 5-10 drops of rosemary essential oil, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil.
Pour into a spray bottle and use it as a daily household cleaner to keep away fungal bacteria and keep your home smelling fresh.
15. CLEAN LINEN/FABRIC
If you need to have fresh and clean linens, then do this the next time you wash. Gather all your linens. It would be best to separate the whites to avoid color damage.
Toss it into the washer, and run the cycle on warm water. Add one and a half cups of borax, or two cups, depending on the amount of linen. For best results, allow soaking in the washer with the solution, then proceed to wash.
16. SANITIZE AND CLEAN COUNTERTOPS
Countertops are prone to grease and stains. Keep your countertops clean with your all-purpose cleaner. See the solution in #11. Mist the countertop with the solution, and wait 5 minutes to allow penetration.
Use a sponge to gently scrub the area for 2 minutes. Then wipe the countertop with a damp rag. This will remove stains, grease, and even bad odors. NOTE: DO NOT USE ON VARNISHED COUNTERTOPS.
17. REFRESHES AND CLEANS MATTRESS
With the infestation of bed bugs in most homes, treating your mattress is essential to keeping them away. You may not need to call the pest control agency after all. All you will need is this solution.
Combine a mixture of 3 cups of warm water with 1/2 cup of borax powder. Add 5 drops of each lavender essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and tea tree essential oil. Baby powder essential oil is a favorite of mine.
Use this to mist the entire mattress. It will eliminate dust mites, remove urine marks, and refresh your mattress. Regular use of this solution will prevent bedbugs from breeding.
18. CLEANS CARPET
To clean your carpet, make a solution of 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup borax powder, 2 tablespoons baking soda, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil.
Spread the paste over your carpet. Leave overnight, then vacuum in the morning. This will not only remove stains but also leave your carpet smelling amazing.
19. CLEAN LEATHER
Make a mixture of 1 quart of water (warm), 4 tablespoons of borax, and 1 tablespoon of Murphy’s Oil Soap. Combine well and pour into a spray bottle.
Use this solution to mist your leather sofas and chairs. This works well on stainless steel appliances and any other furniture that needs a glow.
20. WINDOW CLEANER
To clean your glass window, all you need to do is make a solution of 4 tablespoons of borax and 1 cup of warm water; to this, add a squirt of dish soap and shake well.
Mist your window and wipe with a clean sponge. Use a wet rag to clean away the solution. Continue doing this until the solution is no longer visible.
This will remove all smears and dirt, leaving your window looking crystal clear. EXTRA TIP: USE AN OLD SHEET OF NEWSPAPER TO GIVE IT THAT EXTRA SHEEN.
We hope you find these tips helpful. See you soon.
