Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

The Ultimate Guide To Using Borax In Your Home & Garden

Borax, or sodium borate, is a naturally occurring mineral that has been a trusted household staple for well over a century. While most people recognise it as a powerful laundry booster, its benefits extend far beyond the laundry room.

This humble yet highly effective compound has earned a reputation as a go to solution for a wide range of household tasks, from deep cleaning and deodorising to disinfecting surfaces and tackling stubborn stains. But borax isn’t just for practical chores, it’s also a key ingredient in a variety of DIY projects, offering creative and sustainable alternatives for everything from homemade slime to eco-friendly pest control.

Whether you’re looking to simplify your cleaning routine, enhance your home’s freshness, or explore its many other surprising uses, borax is a versatile ally worth having on hand. Let’s look into the many ways this powerhouse mineral can become an essential part of your daily life.

Table of Contents

Laundry & Fabric Care

person checking clothes in laundry basket

Borax has multiple uses in the laundry and for the care of fabrics which include;

Laundry Booster
Add half a cup of borax to your washing machine to enhance the cleaning power of your detergent and soften hard water.
Stain Remover
Create a paste using borax and water to pre-treat stains before washing.
Whiten Whites
Soak white clothing in a solution of borax and warm water before washing to maintain brightness.
Prevent Laundry Mould
Add borax to your wash to prevent mildew from forming on damp clothes.
Sweat Stain Remover
Scrub a paste of borax and water into sweat stained fabric caps before rinsing.

Natural Cleaning Solutions

Borax can also be used to great effect as a cleaning agent. Here’s how;

All Purpose Cleaner
Mix borax with vinegar, washing up liquid, and hot water to create an effective cleaning spray.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle borax in the bowl, let it sit overnight, then scrub for a deep clean.
Drain Unclogger
Pour borax followed by boiling water down clogged drains to break up debris.
Bath & Shower Scrub
Make a paste with borax and water to remove soap scum and stains.
Wall & Tile Cleaner
A borax solution can be used to clean walls and prepare surfaces before painting.
Window Track Cleaner
Sprinkle borax in window tracks, dampen, and scrub for an easy clean.

Deodorising & Odour Control

Borax can be used to remove lingering smells from a number of places, including;

Carpet Freshener
Sprinkle borax over carpets, let sit for an hour, then vacuum to eliminate odours.
Shoe Deodoriser
Dust the inside of shoes with borax overnight to absorb smells.
Fridge Deodoriser
Clean the inside of your fridge with a borax solution to neutralise odours.
Dust Bin Freshener
Sprinkle borax in the bottom of your rubbish bin to prevent bad smells.
Cupboard Freshener
Place a box of borax in wardrobes to absorb excess moisture and keep clothes fresh.

Pest & Weed Control

Borax works for indoor and outdoor pests and can be used as a;

Ant & Cockroach Killer
Mix borax with sugar and leave small amounts near infested areas.
Flea Treatment
Sprinkle borax onto carpets, let sit for an hour, then vacuum to kill fleas and their larvae.
Rodent Deterrent
Spread borax near entry points to discourage mice and rats.
Weed Killer
Lightly sprinkle borax around unwanted weeds to inhibit growth.
Nightcrawler Deterrent
Deter worms and insects from your garden by spreading small amounts of borax in problem areas.

Kitchen & Dishwashing Hacks

Let’s move onto the kitchen and list the uses for borax which include;

Dishwasher Booster
Add borax to your dishwasher detergent for extra cleaning power.
Waste Disposal Cleaner
Pour borax down the disposal to eliminate any build-up and odours.
Clean Cloudy Glassware
Soak glassware in a borax solution to remove hard water stains.
Silverware Polish
Use a borax paste to bring back the shine of tarnished silver.

DIY & Craft Projects

Borax also has plenty of useful applications in the home which include;

Homemade Slime
Mix borax with white glue and water to create DIY slime for kids.
Candle Wick Treatment
Soak cotton wicks in a borax solution to make them burn longer.
Flower Preserver
Bury flowers in a borax and cornmeal mixture to dry and preserve them.
Homemade Bouncy Balls
Combine borax, cornstarch, glue, and food colouring to create bouncy balls.
DIY Snow Globes
Use borax to create crystal formations inside homemade snow globes.

Outdoor & Garden Applications

Borax has many uses in the garden as well, which include;

Clean Outdoor Furniture
A borax solution works wonders on resin and plastic furniture.
Clean Rusty Garden Tools
Scrub rust off gardening tools with a paste of borax and lemon juice.
Algae Control In Ponds
A small amount of borax can help manage algae growth in ponds.
Fruit Tree Fungicide
Mix borax with water and spray fruit trees to combat fungal infections.
Boost Plant Health
Use borax in minimal amounts to correct boron deficiencies in garden soil.

Personal Care & Household Maintenance

It’s not just your home and garden that can benefit from borax, it can also be used for personal care as well. Including;

Jewellery Cleaner
Soak jewellery in a mild borax solution to restore its shine.
Clean Retainers & Mouth Guards
Soak dental appliances in borax water for thorough cleaning.
Clean Hair Brushes
Remove build-up from hair brushes by soaking them in a borax solution.
Mattress Freshener
Sprinkle borax over the mattress, let sit, then vacuum to refresh.
Deodorise Pet Bedding
Dust pet bedding with borax before washing to eliminate odours.
Revive Reusable Shopping Bags
Soak cloth shopping bags in borax water to remove bacteria and smells.

Household Repairs & Upkeep

Here are a few more ways borax can be useful around the home;

Fireproofing Agent
A borax and water solution can be applied to materials to increase fire resistance.
Battery Acid Leak Neutraliser
Sprinkle borax over battery acid spills to neutralise the acid.
Radiator Cleaner
Clean car and home radiators with a borax solution to improve efficiency.
Piano Key Cleaner
Wipe down ivory piano keys with a borax dampened cloth to remove grime.

Safety Precautions When Using Borax

While borax is a powerful and natural cleaner, it should be handled with care and you should always:

Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Avoid ingestion or prolonged skin contact.
Wear gloves when using borax for cleaning tasks.
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture.

That’s All Folks! Now Grab Some Borax…

Borax is an incredibly versatile and cost effective household essential that can be used in countless ways. Whether you’re cleaning, deodorising, gardening, or crafting, it’s a must have for every home.

With a little creativity, you can harness the power of borax to make everyday tasks easier and more efficient!

Which borax hack will you try first? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to share this with your socials so that everyone can benefit from the versatility and cleaning power of borax.

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