5 innovative ways of using borax for your household cleaning chores
Borax - also known as sodium tetraborate - is an all-natural white compound formed from the bonding of sodium, oxygen and boron. This substance - widely used in both the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors - is one of the main sources of boron currently available on the market.
Borax (containing boron) is readily available and can be used for multiple cleaning chores. Keep reading to find out more:
1 - Carpet cleaning
Borax can be used for cleaning carpets when combined with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This combination is, in fact, perfect for removing mites and other harmful organisms that are commonly present in carpet fibers.
For the best results, you can prepare a mixture of two parts borax and one part baking soda. Once completely dry, simply sprinkle this mixture evenly over the carpet. Then, wait about thirty minutes before vacuuming up.
2 - Insecticide
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When mixed with citric acid, borax turns into an effective, homemade, all-natural insecticide.
This homemade insecticide is particularly effective in eliminating cockroaches, ants and termites.
3 - Laundry detergent
Borax is also often used as an additive to improve the effectiveness of washing machine detergents, helping to remove stains and unpleasant odors.
For this purpose, we recommend adding half a cup of borax directly into the washing machine's drum, then proceeding to add the regular laundry detergent as per usual.
Borax also acts as a whitener and balances the pH of the water, further aiding cleaning your laundry.
4 - Kitchen detergent
Borax is also ideal for cleaning porcelain and aluminum cookware. To use it for this purpose, simply apply it directly to the surfaces to be treated, rub gently with a damp cloth and then rinse off thorougly.
Borax can also be used to neutralize unpleasant odors emanating from refrigerators and trash cans.
5 - Removing rust
Another great use of borax at home is for removing rust from various surfaces. To do this, we recommend combining a few drops of lemon juice with two tablespoons of borax, then spreading this mixture on the rusted area.
After an hour, you can remove the mixture (and the rust) using a damp cloth.
As you can see, borax is a versatile and effective "ally" for domestic cleaning chores. It not only makes daily cleaning chores easier, but also helps to keep your home properly sanitized.
