How to Use Borax Around the House

Borax, like boric acid, is safe for household use and has relatively low levels of toxicity. Like similar products, borax should be store in a safe place away from children and animals. Readily available at the hardware or home improvement store, borax has a number of practical uses around the house.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Unclog a drain. Funnel 1/2 cup of borax into the drain followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Wait 15 minutes and then flush with hot water. Repeat as necessary.

2. Get rid of stains in a stainless steel or porcelain sink. Make a paste of 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 cup borax. Rub the paste into the stain then rinse away the paste and the stain with warm, running water.

3. Clean mirrors and windows without spots or streaks. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of borax in 3 cups of water. Wash windows with a clean sponge dipped in the solution. Wipe clean with paper towels or newspaper.

4. Tackle stains on the rub. Dampen the stain and rub in enough borax to cover the area. Let it dry then blot with equal parts of vinegar and soapy water. Try the procedure in an inconspicuous area or on a carpet scrap to test colorfastness.

5. Leave the toilet bowl sparkling after cleaning it with borax. Scrub it with a 1/2 cup of borax dissolved in a gallon of water.

6. Eliminate the smell of urine on a mattress. Dampen the area and rub in some borax, thoroughly covering the stain. Let it dry and vacuum the powder.

7. Keep weeds at bay by sprinkling a little borax into cracks where they are known to crop up. Apply borax around the foundation of a home to deter insects too.

Resources

• Uses for borax and boric acid.