31 Borax Cleaning Uses for Your Home

Last Updated on May 16, 2020 by April

Give your home a deep clean with these Borax cleaning hacks.

What is Borax?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral primarily mined from evaporated lakes in Turkey and California. It also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate. Not to be confused with boric acid, which is hydrogen borate.

Is Borax Safe?

The National Library of Medicine classifies Borax as non-carcinogenic. It is safe for cleaning as long as you use the same caution as you would with other household cleaners. Just as you would with baking soda, washing soda, and other cleaning agents, Borax can cause mild irritation to skin. It is toxic in large amounts to adults and small amounts to children and pets.

Safety Tips for Using Borax

• Wear Rubber Gloves When Using Borax
• Keep Out of Reach From Children and Pets
• Do not Use Borax to make DIY Slimes
• Avoid Breathing in Borax
• Thoroughly Wash Skin That Comes in Contact With Borax
• Avoid Contact With Nose, Mouth, and Eyes
• Thoroughly Wash Away After Cleaning Anything

You can find more precautions and safety tips for Borax at Medical News Today.

Where Can I Buy Borax?

To be safe, make sure you are purchasing Borax and not boric acid. 20 Mule Team Borax is the product you need and is on Amazon. You can find Borax in the cleaning or laundry section of your local grocery store.

Only have Murphy oil soap on hand? Try these Murphy oil soap hacks to deep clean your home.

31 Borax Cleaning Uses for Your Household

Wondering how to clean with Borax? This natural mineral has many effective cleaning uses such as laundry detergent, removing soap scum, whitening pillows, and more. Here are many ways to use Borax you’ve never thought of before.

1. Unclog Kitchen Drain

You can unclog sink drains by pouring 1/2 a cup of Borax to your drain. Immediately follow-up with 2 cups of boiling water. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly to remove the clog and any leftover borax.

2. Borax Cleaning Solution for Carpets

Add 1/2 cup of Borax per gallon of warm water to your steam cleaner for cleaner carpets.

3. Make an All-Purpose Borax Cleaning Spray

Create a cheap DIY all-purpose spray bottle by mixing 3 tbsp of Borax, 1 cup of vinegar, and 3 cups of warm water. Apply to clean various areas of your kitchen like your stove-top, counters, and appliances.

4. Feed Fruit Trees

For better seed development, sprinkle Borax onto the soil of your potted fruit trees once every three years. It will provide your plants with boron, an essential nutrient for healthy trees.

5. Clean Dirty Mold or Mildew

Borax is a natural mold inhibitor making it effective at removing and preventing mold problems from progressing. This important as mold and mildew can destroy the integrity of your home over time. There are also many safety and health risks associated with mold.

6. Clean Your Tile Floors

Sprinkle Borax onto a dedicated cleaning sponge or rag and add water. Use to clean your floors as you would with any other powdered cleaner. Thoroughly wash off with water afterward.

7. Make Laundry Detergent More Effective

Use as a homemade laundry detergent booster by adding 4 tbsp to your wash cycle. It will brighten and freshen smelly clothes in just one go.

You can also turn Borax into an effective deep stain remover by adding 7 tbsp to water and allowing your clothes to soak for 30 minutes. Follow with your regular laundry routine.

8. Shine China Dish Sets

Soak (do not scrub) your china dishes in a sink full of water and 1/2 a cup of Borax. After half an hour, drain and rinse thoroughly to reveal restored plates.

9. Freshen the Garbage Disposal

Sanitizer your garbage disposal by adding 3 tbsp of Borax and allowing to sit for an hour. Rinse thoroughly after.

10. Get Rid of Pests

Get rid of bug infestations by sprinkling an equal amount of Borax and white sugar where you see pests frequently. The pets will ingest the homemade pesticide, bring it back to their nests, and spread it, and die off.

Caution: Do NOT use this method if you have pets or children in your household as it poses a huge safety and health risk.

11. Borax Cleaning Paste for Dirty Grout

Create a homemade grout cleaner by mixing 1 part Borax to 2 parts baking soda. Next, add vinegar until you get your desired paste consistency. Scrub into your group using a soft scrub brush and allow to soak for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward.

12. Clean the Dishwasher

To get your dishwasher spotless, sprinkle 1/2 cup of Borax onto the bottom. Fill the dispenser with your regular dishwashing liquid and then run the cycle.

13. Preserve Flowers

Preserve those beautiful flowers you just harvested from your garden with Borax. It will remove all moisture and prevent wilting as they dry.

Grab the box you wish you store your preserved flowers in and sprinkle one part Borax to two parts cornmeal on the bottom. Add your flowers and sprinkle more of the mixture on top. Cover the box and store for two weeks or until the flowers completely dry. Place the box somewhere pets and children are unable to go.

14. Remove Rust

To remove rust from cooking ware or appliances, add a DIY borax paste made of 1 cup borax, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 cup of water. Leave the paste on for 20 minutes then thoroughly wash off.

15. Kill Weeds in Your Garden

Sprinkle Borax in any cracks of your pathways where you want to prevent weeds from growing.

Caution: Do not sprinkle in any areas where pets or children go.

16. Clean Your Dirty Hair Brushes

Make a DIY brush and comb cleaner by grabbing a container and mixing 2 tbsp of Borax, a squirt of dish soap, and water. Allow your brushes to soak for 30 minutes and then rinse clean.

17. Get Rid of Shoe Odors

Want to get rid of smelly odors from shoes? Don’t we all! Create a deodorizer spray by combining two tablespoons of Borax and warm water. Spray the insides of your shoes and let soak for 15 minutes. Scrub and then thoroughly rinse.

18. Dissolve Sticky Residues

Mix 2 parts Borax and 1 part water to help scrub out nasty sticky residues. Follow up by rinsing thoroughly.

19. Clean the Fridge

Combine 5 cups of water and half a tablespoon of Borax. Dip a microfiber cloth into this mixture and wipe the inside of your fridge. Rinse thoroughly after.

20. Polish Chrome Bathroom Fixtures

Remove mineral deposits and grime from your chrome bathroom fixtures by sprinkling Borax directly onto them and wiping with a wet washcloth. Rinse thoroughly after.

21. Crayon and Pencil Stain Removal

Restore your walls to their original form by wiping down with a mixture of one tablespoon borax and one cup of water. Be sure to do a spot test first to ensure your paint does not come off.

22. Deodorize Carpets

Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup Borax, and 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Sprinkle onto your carpet and leave for 20 minutes. Thoroughly vacuum up.

Note: Make sure no children or pets come into contact with the carpet while this mixture is on it.

23. Clean Car Upholstery

Mix 2 tablespoons of Borax and 4 cups of water for a DIY car upholstery cleaner. Scrub into your floor mats and seats and then rinse clean. Be sure to do a spot test to ensure no unwanted color changes occur.

24. Remove Sink Stains

Restore the shine of your stainless steel sink by combining two tablespoons lemon juice and half a cup of Borax. Scrub your sink and then rinse thoroughly.

25. Clean Windows

Mix one tablespoon of Borax and a cup of warm water. Use this mixture to clean your windows and rinse after.

26. Toilet Bowl Cleaner DIY

Get your toilet bowl spotless by sprinkling a cup of Borax into the bowl and allowing to soak overnight. Scrub and rinse thoroughly.

Note: Be sure to close the toilet bowl and shut the bathroom door to prevent dogs from drinking out of the toilet. Borax is very harmful to pets when ingested.

27. Borax Cleaning Spray for Outdoor Furniture

Get your outdoor furniture to be as clean as the day you bought them by using a DIY borax cleaner. Mix 2 teaspoons of Borax, one teaspoon dishwashing soap, and 1 quart of water. Spray onto your outdoor furniture and wipe clean.

28. Clean Your Trash Cans

Deodorize your trashcan by filling with warm water and 1 cup of Borax. Allow to soak for 1 hour and then thoroughly rinse clean.

29. Deodorize Your Mattress

Sprinkle Borax on the parts of your mattress where odors are most concentrated. Spray with water and work the Borax in with a damp rag. Once dry, thoroughly vacuum all Borax residue.

30. Kill Fleas

Sprinkle Borax on areas you suspect fleas may be lurking. Leave for an hour and then vacuum up.

Note: Be sure there are no dogs are children allowed wherever you sprinkle Borax as it is very harmful to them.

31. Clean Instrument Strings

Maintain the integrity of your instrument strings by mixing Borax and toothpaste and scrubbing the strings. Next, thoroughly wipe off the mixture.

Next time you’re at the store, be sure to grab some Borax and try these genius Borax cleaning hacks!

As an added bonus, here is a handy chart to use whenever you feel like using borax for cleaning your home.