Fluster: Products that have only one purposeHave you cleaned under your kitchen sink lately? I cleaned mine yesterday and was amazed at how many products there were that I seldom use. They were products that I bought for a specific problem and apparently I didn’t need them again. There they sat collecting dust and taking up valuable cupboard space.
After I agonized over whether I should keep those expensive, dust collecting products I reluctantly tossed them. I knew that there had to be some tips for replacing these products with ones that would be useful in more than one area of my life.
One of the products that was collecting dust under my sink was a rust remover, how and why it was there was beyond me. There was also a box of flea killer powder, we haven’t had any pets for a couple of years so that one made it’s way to the garbage can too.
After consulting family and doing a little research I found that Borax, the stuff that I buy specifically for my Homemade Laundry Detergent, would solve a number of different problems, more specifically it can be used on rust and flees. I was no longer agonizing over tossing out those cleaners once I created this list.
1. Carpet – to remove stains. Mix 1/4 cup Borax and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain and blot the area to remove. Repeat until stain disappears
2. All-Purpose Cleaner – to make your own, mix 1/2 cup Borax, 1 teaspoon ammonia and 1 teaspoon dish soap in 2 gallons of warm water.
3. Stain Remover – mix 1 cup Borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Rub the stain with the mixture and rinse with warm water. Works great on tubs and sinks.
4. Toilet Cleaner – pour 1/2 cup Borax into toilet. Let sit for 1 hour then scrub with a toilet brush. Flush to rinse.
5. Garbage Can Cleaner – pour 1/2 cup Borax and 1 gallon warm water into the can. Scrub with a brush or rag. Rinse and let dry.
6. Rust Remover – make a paste using Borax and lemon juice. Scrub rust with the paste. Rinse with clean water.
7. Water Spots – to remove, add 1 tablespoon of Borax to your dishwater.
8. Hair Brushes and Combs – mix 1/4 cup Borax and 1 tablespoon dish soap in a sink of warm water. Soak brushes for 30-45 minutes. Rinse and allow to air dry on a towel.
9. Delicates/Hand Washables – in a sink or bucket, dissolve 1/4 cup Borax and 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent in warm water. Soak garments for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water, blot with a towel to remove excess water. Hang to dry.
10. Teapot Cleaner – to clean a metal teapot or coffee pot, fill it with water and add 1 teaspoon Borax and 1 teaspoon laundry detergent. Boil the water and let it sit until cool. Rinse.
11. Mattress Stains – to remove, mix 1 cup Borax with 2 cups warm water. Rub the mixture directly onto the stain and let dry. Vacuum and repeat if necessary.
12. China – to clean and shine, mix 1/2 cup Borax in a sink of warm water. Wash China and rinse with clean water.
13. Mildew Remover – mix 1 teaspoon Borax, 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 4 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the mildew, wipe clean and rinse. Works great on outdoor furniture.
14. Metal Cleaner – create a paste using Borax and water. Scrub the metal with the paste and rinse with clean water. This won’t damage metal because it’s non-abrasive.
15. Refrigerator Cleaner and Deodorizer – mix 1 tablespoon Borax and 2 cups warm water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe clean.
16. Garbage Can Deodorizer – sprinkle some Borax in the bottom of the can it will absorb the odors.
17. Urine Deodorizer – dampen the urine spot with water then sprinkle it with Borax, rub it in. Let dry, then brush or vacuum clean.
18. Mattress Deodorizer – sprinkle mattress with Borax. Let is sit for 15-30 minutes before vacuuming.
19. Drain Deodorizer – pour 2-3 tablespoons Borax into the drain. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing it with hot water.
20. Clogged Drains – pour 1/2 cup Borax in the drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Run the water for a few minutes to rinse.
21. Poison Ivy – to alleviate itching, wash infected area with Borax.
22. Skin Softener – use Borax to wash with, be sure to rinse well.
23. Shampoo – softens hair and conditions scalp. Mix 1 part Borax with 5 parts water. Shake and let it sit for a couple of hours. Pour onto hair and work into scalp. Rinse well
24. Acne – wash affected area daily to control. Rinse well
25. Liver Spots – wash affected area daily. Rinse well
26. Flea Killer – sprinkle Borax on your carpet and let it sit for 1 hour before vacuuming.
27. Insecticide – sprinkle Borax around the perimeter of your house and any areas inside your home where the insects are entering.
28. Mice – sprinkle Borax on the floor along the wall to keep these little rascals out of your home.
29. Weed Killer – sprinkle where you’ve seen unwanted weeds, such as in the cracks of your concrete. * Don’t use in gardens, it will kill the plants.
30. Candle Wicks – to make long lasting wicks, dissolve 4 tablespoons Borax and 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Soak cotton, kite string in the solution for 15 minutes. Hang the string to dry for a few days, then dip it in wax a few times before using.
Fun with Borax:
- Slime Recipe from Science Bob
- Floam Recipe from E is for Explore
- Snowflake Recipe from About Education
- Polymer Ball from Science Bob
- Fake Snot Recipe from Grossology
I hope that you enjoyed this list, I’m heading to the bathroom now to toss out some other one purpose cleaners that I can replace with Borax.
What one purpose cleaners are lurking in the back of your cupboard?
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** If, by some small miracle, you worked at Amway in Ada, MI in the 1980;s and were the person my mother loaned the notebook to, please contact me. The notebook is a small (approx 6×9), black leather, 3-ring binder, and contains hand drawn patterns (teddy bear), recipes, and household tips and tricks. It would mean so much to my family to have it back.
Betty Taylor says
March 11, 2013 at 7:01 pmWe always had Borax growing up.
Bekah @ re·solve says
March 11, 2013 at 8:09 pmI'm just like you – been using it in my homemade laundry detergent but not sure what else to use it for. I am pinning this for reference, thanks! Found you @ Sumo's link up!
Kathleen says
March 11, 2013 at 9:01 pmI have never used Borax for anything, but I'll be sure to check it out now! These are such awesome tips. I am most interested in checking out using Borax to unclog drains.
Linda Miller says
March 12, 2013 at 2:19 amGreat list..I like having it listed in one place! Thanks!
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog says
March 12, 2013 at 2:54 amLove this list!! I bought borax for laundry soap so I have a TON of it now! Pinned the list! Visiting via I Gotta Try That Monday!
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
Rita says
March 12, 2013 at 3:19 amGreat list, I love borax too, now I have more uses for it!
Laurie@SimplyCreatingHome says
March 12, 2013 at 3:39 amWhat a wonderful list of Borax uses. I never knew it could be used for so many things! I'll be pinning this for reference. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Anderson says
March 12, 2013 at 4:21 amGreat list. We use it mixed with honey as ant bait. Works great! Thanks for linking up to An Oldie but a Goodie party!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
March 12, 2013 at 7:25 amGreat list! I use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda all the time, but I don't use borax, so the list is going to be useful.
Lauren says
March 12, 2013 at 12:28 pmVery cool! I haven't tapped into the greatness of Borax, but I should. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder. Stumbled upon your blog from The Stichin' Mommy.
Donna Wilkes says
March 12, 2013 at 11:45 pmIt is great to wash stinky fish hands! I love these lists and hope you and your family can keep on going!
Linda@With A Blast says
March 13, 2013 at 7:36 amThis is a very impressive list! It covers just about everything 🙂 Thank you for sharing this post at the ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party!
Jamie says
March 14, 2013 at 12:40 amI had no idea!!! I'm going to have to try it on my skin 🙂
Thalita @ The Learner Observer says
March 14, 2013 at 4:50 pmGreat information to know! Thank you!!! I had no idea Borax was safe on skin too! I just recently became a Borax user, and I LOVE it!
Linda says
March 16, 2018 at 8:57 amIt’s not , a doctor recommended it to my friend to clear up her acne it burned her face. She has permanent scars and has to wear makeup all the time .
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
March 14, 2013 at 8:20 pmI need something to help with our deep well water lime scale and this might do the trick – thanks for sharing these great tips!
Sus says
November 5, 2017 at 9:24 amBorax and white vinegar paste cleans the most stubborn tub stains!!!
Katherines Corner says
March 15, 2013 at 2:28 amwe always had Borax in the laundry area when I was young. Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
Jill says
March 15, 2013 at 3:23 amI just bought a box of Borax yesterday, your list came along at just the right time!
Tracy Iglesias says
March 15, 2013 at 4:02 amGreat tips!
Visiting from Katherine's Corner Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
I hope you get your book back!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Peggy~PJH Designs says
March 17, 2013 at 2:05 amFlea killer?! Fake snot! Who knew. lol I love these tips each week. Thanks for sharing them with us at Transformed Tuesday.
Hugs,
Peggy
Loretta E. says
March 17, 2013 at 1:32 pmI bought some a few months ago to make homemade laundry soap, not knowing that I still had one more tub to get through first…But I never imagined that you could use it for cleaning out a trash can. When I get really desperate, I have to resort to bleach and I'd love a better option! Thanks for sharing.
mail4rosey says
March 17, 2013 at 2:49 pmMy mother-in-law swears by it! Found you linked up at Sincerely Paula's No Rules Weekend Blog Hop. 🙂
The HOME GIRL says
March 17, 2013 at 6:50 pmThis is a great post! I've heard of Borax before, but I didn't know all the wonderful ways this could be used!
Thanks so much for linking up to the FESTIVE FRIDAY FIESTA Link Party this week! Hope you have a great weekend!!!
Kim Vealey says
March 19, 2013 at 12:08 amGreat post! I use Borax for just about every cleaning procedure, but especially as a laundry booster, and to remove mineral deposits on our tea kettle.
Stacey says
March 19, 2013 at 2:14 amVery helpful!
Thanks for sharing!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Jann Olson says
March 19, 2013 at 3:57 amFor me, the Borax box is a wonderful as the contents. Always such cute graphics. Thanks for sharing more fun tips with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Kathy A Delightsome Life says
March 20, 2013 at 5:28 pmLove this! Borax is an amazing product! So versatile! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Eleanor Johnston says
May 27, 2015 at 12:18 pmWill borax get rid of Ants ? And do you mix it or spread around property dry
Robin says
May 28, 2015 at 8:49 amYes it will help with ants. Just sprinkle it, dry, around the property.
Judith Dean says
September 23, 2017 at 2:10 pmMy husband used it to wash hi car with, the oak tree stains came right off. He amazed. He has been trying to get those stains off for years.
SHOSHANA says
November 24, 2017 at 3:41 amWhat does Borav contain so I can buy the Israeli equivalent or where do I find it here in Israel?
Robin says
November 28, 2017 at 10:56 amHere’s a link about Borax, this should help determine the Israeli equivalent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax
Trisha L Otto says
February 6, 2018 at 4:04 amThank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I am starting on my carpet tonight!
Pennie says
March 7, 2018 at 12:14 amMix Borax with hydrogen peroxide to kill scabies on skin and in the laundry
Cheryl says
March 13, 2018 at 12:04 amCan you PLEASE tell me how to kill german roches with borax. I got them in my trailer and I dont want them to get bad. I need the recipe too please.
Thanks in advance,
Cheryl😀
Single moms ROCK!!!!!
Robin says
March 13, 2018 at 3:49 pmSorry, I didn’t know that Borax could kill roaches, so I don’t have a recipe.
Lauren Hanson says
June 19, 2018 at 6:07 pmMix equal parts sugar and borax, sprinkle along roach or ant trails. It kills them all. I also use borax, oxyclean and a little blue dawn in hot water to wash down my house. Mildew and algae don’t grow back for a long time!
Robin says
June 19, 2018 at 8:27 pmThanks for the great ideas! How is the borax, oxyclean and dish soap on the grass?
Deborah says
November 27, 2018 at 10:33 pmI do know that some pest control pros do recommend that roaches can be killed by sprinkling dry borax under cabinets.
Robin says
November 28, 2018 at 10:08 amThank you, that’s good to know!
Charlotte Nydegger says
March 15, 2018 at 1:24 pmI use it in my homemade laundry detergent too….baking soda, soap flakes also. Then I drop in my empty Young Living essential oil bottles. The detergent dries them out, removing any leftover oils, and then I can recycle the bottles. The detergent picks up their aromas and makes it smell even better. I am not fussy about which bottles go in together….they all smell great and there isn’t enough oil left to dominate the smell. Works great in my HE washer.
Haven’t used in my toilet because it is septic, but have used on sinks and such.
Ralph says
July 19, 2018 at 12:55 amI use Borax in my Barn, I just sprinkle it along the baseboards and in does a number on Roaches. they walk in it and they clean their legs to get the Borax off——–BIG MISTAKE!!
Robin says
July 19, 2018 at 4:49 pmWow, that’s good to know! Thank you for sharing
Joy says
March 20, 2019 at 4:18 amThanks for sharing,
It is also good for pest such as cockroaches
Sonya says
May 17, 2019 at 8:16 amI just found your website, so glad that I did, I’ve been buying borax for years but only for washing clothes, did not know all the uses it has. Thanks so much for the information.