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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, cleaning spray, and also air freshener.
Borax is a non-toxic product that is used for household purposes only. If ingested 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. 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, repeat the process only if necessary.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. CLEANS STICKY FLOOR (TILES)
A sticky floor is not pleasant to walk on. I love to walk around my house barefooted, 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 vinegar and 1/4 cup 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 grease fire but did you know 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 borderline around the flame. The fire will not be able to pass the line.
9. KILLS WEED ON DRIVEWAY AND WALKWAY
If your driveway or walkway is constantly covered with unwanted weed Borax can help you to weed them out for good. Simply sprinkle Borax on the weed for 2 consistent days.
Within a few days, the weeds will gradually die. Using Borax to control the weeds will not only kill them but the weeds will take months before returning.
10. 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 the mold is a toxic matter. 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.
11. 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, 5-1o 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.
12. 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 into the washer, and run the cycle on the warm water. Add one and a half cups of borax two cups depending on the amount of linen. For best results, allow soaking in the washer with the solution then proceed to wash.
13. 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 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 and grease and even bad odors. NOTE: DO NOT USE ON VARNISHED COUNTERTOPS.
14. 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 warm water with 1/2 cup 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 refreshes your mattress. Regular use of this solution will prevent bed bugs from breeding.
15. 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 leave your carpet smelling amazing.
16. CLEAN LEATHER
Make a mixture of 1-quart water (warm) 4 tablespoons 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.
17. WINDOW CLEANER
To clean your glass window all you need to do is to make a solution of 4 tablespoons of borax 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 A OLD SHEET OF NEWSPAPER TO GIVE IT THAT EXTRA SHEEN.
We hope you find these tips helpful, see you soon.
