The Borax List

You can find a box of it in the laundry section of any store... but what is Borax? What can it be used for? Borax is a natural substance known of and used by humans for thousands of years. Also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, it is a mineral compound of the element boron (combined with water, oxygen, and sodium). Borax is sold commercially in the form of a white granular and is primarily marketed as a laundry booster, but it has many, many more uses. Here are some of them...


1. Laundry booster; improves power of detergent, removes stains. Add 1/2 cup.
2. Alternative to color safe bleach. 
3. Softens hard water.
4. Deodorizer
5. Safe for soaking and washing baby clothes. (I add it to each load of cloth diapers).
6. Wash delicates in 1/4 cup Borax, 2TBSP detergent, & warm water for 20 minutes. Rinse. 
7. 1/4 cup in toilet bowl, swish with brush, soak 30 minutes, scrub and flush!
8. Sprinkle on wet sponge to remove soap scum from showers and tubs. 
9. 1/4 cup in 1 pint water, sponge on carpet/rug, let dry, vacuum to deodorize.
10. Sprinkle on wet sponge to clean grease and grime from kitchen appliances and counters.
11. 3TBSP in garbage disposal or drain, let stand 15 minutes, rinse with disposal on.
12. 1/4 in dishwasher to boost detergent and remove spots from dishes.
13. Cleaning outdoor furniture and garbage pails.
14. Deodorize mattresses.
15. Preserving flowers (Google this for complete directions; it's a pretty in-depth project).
16. Natural insecticide.


This is just a short list of the many things that can be done with Borax

*Borax is safe for septic systems. 
*Borax has an indefinite shelf life in a cool dry place.
*Please remember to label any containers you put Borax in. 
*Borax is NOT to be digested and keep out of reach of children/pets. It is a natural substance and much safer than chemicals, but you still don't want them eating it!!! 


Bottom line: go buy some Borax, it costs next to nothing and can be used for everything!