Have 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 simple remedy to avoid this from happening again.
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.
30 WAYS TO USE BORAX
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 figured out all of the surprising things I can do with Borax.
1. Carpet Stain Remover – 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. Homemade 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. Cleaning 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. Cleaning 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.
Jerolyn – I use it in my rock tumbler during the burnishing stage. And when I wash my bedding.
SOME FUN WITH BORAX
Have you tried any of these tips around the house? We’d love to see how it turned out. Snap a pic & tag it on Instagram with @FlusterBuster and #boraxuses
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We have borax to kill ants when they start finding their way in around springtime. I add 1-2 Tbs of Borax with a teaspoon of sugar then add a few drops water to form a runny paste. I then cut up a paper plate into a few pieces and put a little on each (paper plates won’t get soggy like paper) & place them near where the are coming in. Within a half hour there’ll be TONS of ants eating it, taking it back with them to their nests, poisoning all their friends (insert evil laughter!!). It really works!
I’ve used borax for that too, it works great! **I enjoyed your evil laugh!!
Since you are talking about cleaning I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sharing your WII Tips and Trips from your Grandma’s notebook back in 2013.
I dropped an ink pad, dark blue, on my brand new fluorescent orange shirt that I picked up in New Orleans. My first time wearing it.
I found your tip on using warm milk and a toothbrush to remove the stain and voila, my shirt is brand new again.
Thanks again to you and Grandma wherever she may be.
I’m so happy that you were able to remove the stain.
Babushka LOVES these kind of posts. 1000x Gracias for the list, gonna try some of those out.
Borax is a life saver in the laundry room for this mum of 4 sons with filthy clothes!
These are great ideas. I always have it around, but I didn’t realize how much could be done with Borax! Visiting today from the Happy Now link up. Have a great day!
These are some great tips! I never knew about the flea killer and insect control. I live on a wooded lot and really need to try these out. Thanks so much for visiting and sharing it this week. #HomeMattersParty