Borax has been an ingredient of much debate, some arguing it has amazing health benefits while others suggest it is an irritant and can be harmful if consumed.
At Under Your Sink we are not advocating any medical benefits of this product however we are big advocates for its cleaning benefits and use in everyday household products.
Here is the list of 20 ways you can use just one ingredient
1. Laundry Booster removes smell from clothes and teamed with some washing soda and ground soap, you have yourself some homemade laundry powder.
2. All Purpose Cleaner add 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons (depending on the concentration you prefer) to warm water and then into your glass spray bottle. You have a great all-purpose cleaner.
3. Stain Remover make a paste with 1/4 cup Borax and water. Using a sponge or cloth, rub the stain with the paste. Rinse with warm water.
4. Toilet/ Drain Cleaner put 1/2 cup of Borax in the toilet bowl before bed and do not flush. In the morning, scrub with toilet brush, flush and enjoy the freshness.
5. Insecticide for flees, cockroaches and ants sprinkle Borax on dog beds, carpets, and other areas where you suspect that fleas are hatching.
6. Inhibits and prevents Mould make a thick Borax and water paste. Smear it on the mouldy area. Let set until dry (overnight or longer). Sweep up the powder, and rinse off the rest.
7. Health Benefits it has been noted that there are several health benefits for Borax including relief for sore bones and joints, improved sex drive, a remedy for gout and improves brain function. Although it is a naturally found in our bodies Under Your Sinks is NOT advising to try this without further medical advice.
8. Clean cast iron cookware mix 1 teaspoon of borax with 1 teaspoon of salt, spread it on your cookware, and scrub it.
9. Remove Rust Mix 1 part borax with 1 part lemon juice, spread the mixture onto the rust, then let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Finally, just wipe it clean. Repeat if necessary.
10. Deodorise your Carpet/Mattress make a carpet freshener with Borax, Bicarb and you can add some herbs liked crushed clove, bay leaves etc or essential oils
11. Make Candle Wicks Mix 1 tablespoon of salt and 3 tablespoons of borax in 1 cup of boiling water. Soak a length of twine in this solution for 24 hours, then hang it up to dry for 2 days.
12. Makes a cleaning paste similar to gumption. See our laundry butter recipe
13. Window Cleaner For very dirty windows. Soak a wash cloth in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of borax and 3 cups of water and wipe your windows. Repeat with equal parts water and vinegar before drying.
14. Kill Weeds Sprinkle it on weeds between cracks on walkways. For garden weeds, you have to be careful because it can kill other types of plants. Don’t use it on windy days or when rain is forecast.
15. Make Slime there are many recipes online to make gooey slime for the kids.
16. Treat woodworm dissolved as a 15% by volume solution in water and applied to the affected timber.
17. Foot Soak due to its anti fungal properties, throw some in some warm water along with your essential oils and enjoy a relaxing foot bath.
18. pH buffering agent used to manage the pH levels in swimming pools
19. Make Coloured Fire Throw a very small amount of Borax on a flame and you will see the colour change to greenish/yellow – kids don’t try this!
20. Complexing Agent can form complex ions with various substances making it vital in the chemistry of cleaning11
