Borax Cleaning Hacks
What Makes Borax A Must Have For Clean Homes?
Improve Your Home With This Multipurpose Cleaning Agent
Naturally occurring mineral, borax—also known as sodium borate—has been used for decades as a cleaning agent. Whether your goal is simply to get your home to look spiffy, dealing with a tough stain, or even trying to kill stubborn pests, borax is a must for anyone interested in treating their home to the ultimate non-toxic cleaning solution. Read on to find out the many ways borax can help you clean more simply, save money, and get your home sparkling clean.
Why Does Borax Work?
Regardless of the surface it is being used on, this user-friendly substance is highly alkaline and, in turn, is able to easily cut through grease, grime, and dirt. In addition to its antibacterial properties, it also makes a great natural deodorizer, so it’s perfect for detoxing and freshening up your home.
Why Choose Borax?
Non-Toxic Alternative: Borax, unlike many commercial cleaners, is free from synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and dyes.
Eco-Friendly: It’s a biodegradable product that’s safer for the environment.
Cost-Effective: One box of borax can serve the purpose of a variety of cleaning products and save you money in the long run.
Benefits Of Using Borax In Your Cleaning Routine
1. Natural Cleaning Power
Valuable to those with a liking for natural cleaning solutions, borax will remove dirt, grime, and odors without the use of harmful chemicals.
2. Effective Against Stains
From stubborn carpet stains to lingering mildew, borax has very good lifting power over marks that seem impossible to remove.
3. Odor Neutralizer
When borax adds up to as much as you’d use in a single shower, it absorbs unpleasant odors, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
4. Multi-Use Versatility
Borax can be used for just about everything from the laundry room to the kitchen to cleaning your whole house—it's a great tool to have on hand in your home.
Essential Borax Cleaning Hacks To Try
Improve Your Laundry Game
Borax makes laundry day so much easier. It softens hard water, makes detergent work better, and leaves your clothes brighter and fresher.
How To Use:
If you (or somebody you know) also have hard water making your life difficult, add 1/2 cup of borax to your detergent in your washing machine each time you use it.
Soak heavily soiled items in a solution of 1 gal. of warm water and 1/4 cup borax for 30 minutes before washing.
It can also serve as a pretreatment for stains such as grease, sweat, and wine.
Revive Carpets And Rugs
Borax is a simple and effective solution to the problem of the stains and odors found on carpets and rugs.
How To Use:
Add 1/4 cup borax to 2 cups warm water.
Dampen the brush and apply the solution to the stained area.
Vacuum thoroughly when it is dry.
Eliminate Mattress Odors
Over time, mattresses can trap odors, but borax is a trouble-free solution.
How To Use:
Spread borax evenly over your mattress and wait for 30 minutes.
To remove the borax and the lingering odors, vacuum the mattress.
Advanced Borax Cleaning Hacks For A Sparkling Home
Unclog And Deodorize Drains
Drains can be clogged, but borax is a chemical-free way to clear them.
How To Use:
Drop 1/2 cup of borax down the drain.
Pour in 2 cups of boiling water and follow.
Allow it to sit for 15 minutes and then flush it with hot water.
Remove Mold And Mildew
But mold and mildew aren’t just ugly; they’re unhealthy for your health. Borax’s antifungal properties make it a very powerful tool against these problems.
How To Use:
Take 1 cup borax and mix with 1 gallon of water.
Sponge or spray the solution to the affected area.
Around the edges, scrub lightly, let dry, and do not rinse for long results.
Deep Clean Your Toilet
Forget harsh toilet cleaners. Borax will keep your toilet bowl free of stains and sparkling.
How To Use:
Add 1/4 cup borax (powder or crystals) around the inside of the toilet bowl.
Tough stains can sit for an hour or overnight.
The toilet brush should scrub and flush.
Unique Borax Cleaning Hacks You Might Not Know
How To Freshen Up Your Garbage Disposal
While it's common for your garbage disposal to smell bad, borax can help.
How To Use:
Add 2–3 tablespoons of borax to the disposal.
After that, leave it to sit for 15 minutes and then flush with hot water while the disposal is running.
Enhance Dishwasher Efficiency
Mineral buildup in your dishwasher can be broken down with borax, improving their performance.
How To Use:
Toss 1/4 cup borax in the bottom of your dishwasher, then run a cycle.
If you want to get really deep, wipe the inside of the dishwasher with borax paste.
Restore Shine And Luster To Your Pots And Pans
Borax is competent when it comes to stubborn grease and burnt food.
How To Use:
Add borax to water to make a paste.
Rub it on the affected areas and scrub with a sponge or brush.
Great for gleaming cookware, this rinse thoroughly.
Borax For Outdoor Cleaning
Kill Weeds
Borax is a natural weed killer to use on driveways and walkways.
How To Use:
Add 1/2 cup borax to 1 gallon of water to dissolve.
With a pump sprayer, you can apply this solution directly to the weed, as long as you do not spray onto plants you wish to keep.
Clean Patio Furniture
Borax keeps your outdoor furniture looking new.
How To Use:
Add 1/4 cup borax to one quart of warm water.
Scrub the furniture with a sponge and rinse with a hose.
Remove Algae And Moss
Borax can help you get rid of slippery algae and moss on outside surfaces.
How To Use:
Dip this into borax and sprinkle it onto the affected area.
Rinse with water and scrub with a stiff brush.
Tips For Using Borax Safely
Although borax is generally safe, best results will be sure if you take these precautions:
Keep Out of Reach: Keep dogs and children away from borax.
Avoid Inhalation: When working with borax powder, don't breathe it in.
Wear Gloves: If you’re working with borax for an extended period, be sure to wear gloves, as it is irritating to the skin.
Store Properly: keep it in a cool, dry place.
Sustainable Cleaning With Borax
A switch to borax is not just about cleaning; it's about sustainability. As long as one is incorporating borax into their routine, the use of harsh chemical cleaners will reduce, and plastic waste emanating from single-use products will also decrease. This small change will make a big difference in health and to the environment.
Improve Your Cleaning Game With Borax
In the realm of cleaning, borax is one of the few true all-rounders. You can use it to refresh your laundry, remove some of the most stubborn stains, and much more, all with an affordable, effective, and eco-friendly solution to your cleaning woes. Through the hacks in this guide, you will be saving a lot of time and money, but at the same time, creating a healthier, greener home.
So, what are you waiting for? Go on and pick up a box of borax today, and it’ll help bring the magic to life. After you’ve tried these hacks, you won’t look back!
