20 Uses for Borax

20 Uses for Borax was submitted by Matthew from UrbanSurvivalSite.com

Sometimes I’m shocked at how expensive typical household cleaners have become. Recently my wife and I decided to do some spring cleaning. We went to the store with a rather long list of cleaning supplies: tile cleaner, drain opener, bleach spray, air freshener, mouse traps, bug spray, floor cleaner, dish soap, spot remover… You get the idea. When I realized just how expensive all this was going to be, I decided to look for alternatives.

It wasn’t long before I discovered the many household uses for borax. The beauty of borax is it’s so affordable that you can stock up on it right now and have plenty after the next disaster or (God forbid) economic collapse. During disasters and long-term depressions, sanitation and hygiene can become a serious problem. Here, then, are 20 uses for borax.

1. Clean patio furniture. Mix 1 teaspoon of dish detergent, 1 teaspoon of borax, and a quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray your patio furniture and wipe it down.

2. Clean pots and pans. A couple teaspoons of borax in a basin of warm water and a scrubber should do the trick without damaging the surface.

3. Clean your bathroom. Sprinkle it on a damp sponge and wipe down shower stalls and tubs to remove soap scum.

4. Clean your garbage disposal. Pour several tablespoons down the drain and let it sit for an hour, then rinse with warm water.

5. Clean your toilet. Mix ½ cup of borax with a gallon of warm water. Scrub your toilet with this solution and let sit for 15 minutes.

6. Deodorize the litter box. Mix ¼ cup of borax in with the cat littler to reduce odor.

7. Deodorize your trash can. A little bit sprinkled on the bottom absorbs moisture and stop odors from forming.

8. Get rid of bed bugs. Sprinkle it on your mattress, wait an hour then vacuum it up.

9. Keep mice away. Sprinkle it along walls or anywhere you’ve seen mice. It’s a great repellent.

10. Kill ants and cockroaches. Mix equal parts borax and sugar and sprinkle it in areas where bugs are getting in.

11. Kill fleas. Sprinkle it on your carpet, wait an hour then vacuum it up. However, this might take several tries because it won’t kill the eggs.

12. Kill weeds. Sprinkle it on the cracks where weeds grow to kill them. Don’t use it in your garden though because it will kill your plants.

13. Make an all purpose cleaner. Just mix four cups of hot water with four tablespoons of borax in a spray bottle.

14. Mop the floor. Mix together 1 gallon of water, ½ cup of borax, 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 1 teaspoon of dish detergent for a great floor cleaner.

15. Remove carpet stains. Dampen the stain then rub borax on it. Vacuum it up and scrub with a mixture of water and vinegar.

16. Remove rust. Mix ½ cup of borax, 1 cup of warm water and ½ tablespoon of lemon juice. Scrub away the rust.

17. Remove shirt stains. Mix ½ cup of borax and 1 cup of warm water, spread it on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash as usual.

18. Unclog drains. Mix ½ cup of borax with 2 cups of hot water, pour it down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes.

19. Wash your clothes. This is what borax is usually used for. A cup of borax will significantly boost your store-bought detergent.

20. Wash your dishes. You can make your own dishwasher detergent by mixing 1 tablespoon of borax and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.

© 2013, Rourke. All rights reserved.

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