Homemade Cleaners With Borax

Borax can be used to make your own homemade cleaners.

Cleaners can be expensive to purchase, and some of them contain harsh chemicals. Homemade cleaners are just as effective as store-bought ones, and they don't cost you as much. Making your own cleaners can also give you peace of mind because you will know the exact ingredients. One ingredient that has a wide variety of uses is borax. Borax is made up of the chemical element boron. According to Berkeley, this mineral has a low toxicity, and therefore should not be ingested. It is, however, safe to use as a cleaner. You will find borax on the laundry aisle in your local grocery store.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 tsp. borax
• 14 oz. hot water
• 5 drops dish detergent
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
• 1/2 cup borax
• 2 gallon bucket
• 1/2 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup liquid peppermint castile soap
• 2 gallon hot water
• 1 cup vinegar
• 5 drops baby oil
• 1 gallon water
• 1/4 cup borax

Instructions

All-Purpose Cleaner

1. Pour 2 tbsp. of vinegar, 1 tsp. borax, and 14 oz. of hot water in a spray bottle.

2. Mix your three ingredients together until the borax has dissolved.

3. Add 5 drops dish detergent, and 10 drops of orange essential oil to the spray bottle.

4. Mix one final time and you are all set to use this all-purpose cleaner as needed.

Laundry Detergent

1. Place 1/2 cup of borax in a 2 gallon bucket.

2. Add 1/2 cup of washing soda, and 1/2 cup of peppermint liquid castile soap.

3. Pour in 1 gallon of hot water and mix until the ingredients have dissolved.

4. Add another gallon of water and mix again.

5. Pour into individual laundry detergent containers for storage until needed.

Floor Cleaner

1. Pour 1 cup of vinegar in a large bucket. Your mop should be able to fit in the bucket.

2. Add a 5 drops of baby oil, and 1 gallon of hot water to the bucket.

3. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup of Borax and mix until dissolved.

4. Mop the floors soon after creating the floor cleaner. The cleaner works best when the water is hot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't like scent of orange oil, substitute lavender oil.

• Never add bleach to a homemade cleaner that contains either ammonia or vinegar. The combination produces a gas that is harmful to breathe.

References

• Earth Easy: Non-Toxic Home Care
• The Family Homestead: Homemade Household Cleaners
• Berkeley: Borax