15 Ways to Clean Your House With Borax
Borax is a household staple that can be used in many different ways, from cleaning to pest control. Most people know borax as a laundry booster, but borax is also a great cleaning agent that can be used for all sorts of things! Borax is inexpensive and non-toxic so it’s perfect for the whole family!
Here are 15 ways you can use borax around the house for things other than laundry detergent or dish soap. These are all pretty cool tricks that will get you thinking about how your products can pull double-duty around the home.
Cleaning Windows
Mix together 2 tablespoons of borax with 1 quart warm water in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and wipe off with newspaper or paper towel – no need for any other cleaner!
Removing Rust
You’ll be surprised at how effective borax can be when it comes to getting rid of rust in and around your home. If there are any handles or knobs (or even hinges) that have rusted, try this. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of borax and 2 cups of hot water. Apply this mixture on the specific areas, let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub it off.
Removing Pet Hair From Furniture
Sprinkle some borax on top of the affected area and let it sit for about an hour or so before vacuuming off, as this will help remove pet hair from carpeting and upholstery.
Removing Soap Scum
Borax is a great choice for removing soap scum from shower doors. Simply put some borax on a sponge or dishcloth and scrub away the soap scum until it’s gone!
Eliminating Mildew In The Kitchen
Mix borax with a little bit of water to create an effective cleaner for removing mildew in the kitchen. Apply this solution on any areas where you find stains and then rinse and dry them off after ten minutes or so.
As an All-Purpose Cleaner
A simple mixture of borax powder and warm water can work out to be a great all-purpose cleaner. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it whenever you want to clean something. Everything from kitchen countertops to dusty areas of your home can be cleaned using this simple solution. In fact, the borax solution can also be a great way to remove any hard water stains in different areas of your home.
Removing Mildew From The Walls
For small areas, pour a mixture of borax and water on the mildewed area. Let it stay for about an hour before you rinse it off with water. Keep in mind that this solution can also be used to remove hard water stains from walls as well.
Cleaning the Toilet Bowl
Just like other areas in your home, your toilet bowl, too, needs a deep clean to ensure it is sparkling white, and you don’t end up with a clogged toilet with all the grime buildup. Thankfully, borax can help there too. Simply pour a cup of borax into your toilet bowl the last thing at night before you retire for bed, and let it stay there, uninterrupted. Flush the bowl the next morning, and you’re good to go.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
Another area borax can be used is to clean stainless steel. Just mix a few drops of ammonia with some water, and add in the borax as well. Apply this mixture on the surface you’re trying to clean and watch it turn sparkling clean!
Cleaning the Garbage Can
Keep your garbage can clean and fresh-smelling by mixing up a solution of half borax, half water to soak any gunky, problem areas in the bottom of the trash can.
Cleaning the Dishwasher
You should also sprinkle some borax in your dishwasher about once a month to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew that could make dishes dirty.
Cleaning the Microwave
Sprinkle borax on a damp cloth and wipe down the inside of your microwave. The borax will help break up food that gets stuck to surfaces, so you don’t have to scrape it off by hand!
Cleaning Grout
Mix borax with a little water to make a thick paste. Spread the mixture over grout that has turned white or dirty, and let it sit for up to 30 minutes before scrubbing away
Cleaning Grills
Sprinkle borax on your grill rack and wipe it down after cooking; this will help loosen food particles so you can get it cleaner faster. Tough, cooked on food may need a little scrubbing with a wire pad.
Cleaning Carpet Stains
Sprinkle borax on a damp cloth and rub the stain vigorously. Then, use another clean white cloth to dab up any remaining residue or powder from your carpet.
I hope this blog post gave you some new ideas for using borax around the house. Borax is a great multi-purpose cleaner that can be used as an abrasive, deodorizer, and stain remover in just about any area of your home. If you have other uses for borax, please share them with us! And if you want to read more about how to clean your home naturally without all those harsh chemicals, make sure to check out my article “11 Homemade Cleaners You Should DIY Today” by clicking here!
