Borax is a very effective multipurpose product for house cleaning. You can use it to wash kitchen utensils, clothes, bathroom fixtures, mirrors and windows. If necessary, it is also useful for unclogging drains, neutralizing bad smells, removing rust and restoring old dishes. As if that weren't enough, borax powder is also an excellent insecticide and mouse repellent. Be cautious when using it in areas frequented by children or pets, as it can easily cause skin irritation and even breathing problems in cats.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Doing House Cleaning with Borax
Step 1. Use borax as if it were an all-purpose cleaner
To start, pour some borax powder onto a damp, clean sponge. Rub it on dirty surfaces, then rinse them thoroughly with a second sponge or wet cloth. Finally ventilate the room as it is advisable to do after using any detergent and let the surfaces dry. Borax powder can be used to clean home installations such as:
- Sinks;
- Taps;
- Floor tiles;
- Home appliances;
- Work plans;
- Bath tub.
Step 2. Use it to clean the toilet
Before going to sleep, sprinkle 200g of borax into the toilet bowl and let it sit. During the night it will dissolve the debris, dirt and deposits present; in the morning, you can easily remove them by simply using the toilet brush.
Step 3. Use it to wash delicate kitchen utensils
Borax is quite delicate, so it is also suitable for cleaning aluminum or porcelain. Sprinkle the dust on dirty items after wetting them, then wipe them with a sponge or damp cloth gently. Rinse the utensils thoroughly and then let them dry.
Step 4. Use it to make window panes and mirrors shine
Make a cleaning solution by dissolving 2 tablespoons of borax in 750 ml of water. Stir until the powder has completely dissolved. Dip a clean rag in the liquid and use it to clean windows, mirrors, and all other reflective materials in the house. They will be shiny and free of halos.
Step 5. Use it to clear the drains
Pour 50 g of borax down the blocked drain, immediately followed by half a liter of boiling water. Let it sit for a quarter of an hour, then run the water for 1-2 minutes to clear the drain.
Step 6. Neutralize bad smells
Dissolve 100g of borax powder in 350ml of water. Pour the mixture into a bottle with a spray dispenser and add a few drops of a scented essential oil if desired. Spray the deodorant solution on the fabrics and upholstery of the furniture in your home to neutralize odors and spread a pleasant aroma in the air.
Method 2 of 3: Eliminate Household Problems with Borax
Step 1. Use borax to remove rust
Pour the powder into a small bowl and add a few drops of lemon juice, then mix to make a doughy mixture. Once ready, apply it to rusty surfaces (such as pots) using a sponge or spatula. Let the borax sit for half an hour, then scrape off the rust in circular motions using a stiff bristled brush. When finished, rinse the item with plenty of water. Repeat a second time if necessary.
Step 2. Make old porcelain services shine
Fill the kitchen sink 3/4 full and add 100g of borax to the water. Gently dip the dishes in the cleaning solution and let them soak for half an hour. When finished, remove the drain plug, rinse the dishes and cups thoroughly to get rid of the borax, then wash them as you normally do with dish soap.
Step 3. Use it to remove stains from clothes or household linens
Dissolve 50 g of borax powder in two liters of hot water. Pre-soak any oil, fat, or liquid stained tissues that contain protein (such as blood) in the borax mixture. Let it sit for about half an hour before washing them normally with laundry detergent.
Method 3 of 3: Keep Bugs Away with Borax
Step 1. Use borax to kill the insects that infest your home
Borax powder contains boron, a substance that is poisonous to insects that take care of their own hygiene, such as ants, silverfish, beetles and cockroaches. Sprinkle the borax powder in areas of the house frequented by insects (for example, the bottom of the cupboard), making sure that there are no children or animals nearby and that they cannot access them in the future. Alternatively, you can make an insect bait by mixing borax with a sweet, sticky substance like honey.
Step 2. Use it to get rid of fleas from carpets
Sprinkle borax on the carpets and areas of the carpet where you think fleas may be lurking, then use a stiff broom or carpet brush to push the dust deeper into the fibers and reach the area where the parasites are hiding. Let the borax sit for six hours before vacuuming it off.
- Keep children and pets away from the work area as borax can easily irritate the skin. If you have a cat, it could also cause breathing problems.
- Note that borax is capable of killing adult fleas and larvae, but does not destroy eggs.
Step 3. Use it to keep mice away
If you want to prevent mice from entering certain areas of the house, spread a strip of borax on the floor along the walls. Mice tend to move close to walls, so they will be prompted to go elsewhere to avoid contact with borax dust, which would otherwise stick to their paws. Be careful not to spread it out in the areas of the floor you walk on.
