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A box of borax can come in handy for far more than laundry day. This powdered mineral has been used in homes for generations as a cleaner, deodorizer, and laundry booster. It can also be useful for certain household pest problems and garden tasks when used carefully.
Borax is inexpensive, easy to store, and works in several different ways around the house. Here are 11 uses worth knowing, along with some basic safety tips for handling it.
What Is Borax?
Borax, also called sodium borate, is a naturally occurring mineral made up of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. It is commonly found in mineral deposits left behind when water evaporates, including deposits in dry regions such as California’s Mojave Desert.
You may also see names such as sodium tetraborate or disodium tetraborate associated with borax. The white powder dissolves in water and has long been used in household cleaning products.
Borax has a long history as a laundry and household cleaning ingredient. It can help with odors, dirt, grease, and some stains, making a single box useful for several chores.
1. Give Laundry a Cleaning Boost
Borax can be added to a regular laundry load to help with odors, stains, and dingy-looking clothes. Add ½ cup of borax along with your usual laundry detergent.
Check the care instructions on your clothing and the directions on your detergent before adding it to a load.
2. Help With Fungal Problems on Plants
Borax contains boron, a plant nutrient, but using too much can damage plants. For that reason, borax should not be treated as a general-purpose garden spray.
If you’re dealing with a fungal problem, identify the plant and disease first and use a product labeled for that particular problem. Borax mixtures can cause plant injury if the concentration is too high.
3. Make a Basic Household Cleaner
Borax can be mixed with warm water to make a simple cleaner for certain washable household surfaces.
Try dissolving 1 cup of borax in 1 gallon of warm water. Use the mixture on suitable surfaces to help loosen dirt and grease, then wipe the area clean.
Test the solution on an inconspicuous spot before using it over a larger area.
4. Add Boron to Garden Soil
Plants need small amounts of boron, but there is a very fine line between having enough and having too much. A borax treatment is only appropriate when a soil test or other reliable information indicates that the soil is deficient in boron.
Never add borax to garden soil just because a plant looks unhealthy. Too much boron can damage plants and make the soil difficult to use for gardening.
5. Make an Ant Bait
Borax can be used in homemade ant bait. A common recipe combines equal parts borax and sugar with enough water to make a paste.
Place small amounts near areas where ants are active, while keeping the bait away from children and pets. Ants may carry the bait back to the colony.
For another setup, see How to Make a Borax Ant Trap.
6. Freshen Up Smelly Areas
Borax can help deal with unpleasant odors around the house. You can sprinkle a small amount into the bottom of a garbage can before adding a fresh liner.
For washable surfaces, mix 1 quart of warm water with 1 tablespoon of borax and wipe the area clean.
Keep loose borax away from food and areas where children or pets could reach it.
7. Control Unwanted Weeds Carefully
Borax can damage plants, which is why some people use it to kill weeds. That same quality means it can also harm grass, flowers, vegetables, and other plants you want to keep.
A borax solution should be used only on unwanted vegetation and with great care around garden beds. Avoid treating large areas, since boron can remain in soil and cause problems for future plants.
For other options, check out 12 Chemical Free Ways to Get Rid of Weeds from Your Garden So They Never Come Back.
8. Clean Mold and Mildew From Washable Surfaces
Damp bathrooms and other humid areas can develop mold and mildew. Borax mixed with water can help clean affected washable surfaces.
Mix 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water and use a scrub brush or cloth on the affected area. Rinse or wipe the surface afterward and let it dry well.
For larger mold problems or areas affected by ongoing moisture, fixing the moisture source is just as important as cleaning the surface.
9. Treat Certain Carpet Stains
Borax can also be used as a spot treatment for some carpet and upholstery stains.
Make a paste by mixing borax with a small amount of water. Apply it to the stain, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then remove it and rinse the area as appropriate for the fabric.
Test the mixture on a hidden section first. Some fabrics and dyes can react badly to cleaning products.
10. Help With Hard-Water Buildup in the Dishwasher
Borax can be added to a dishwasher load along with your regular detergent as a cleaning aid.
Use about 1 tablespoon per load and check your dishwasher manufacturer’s instructions before adding anything that isn’t part of your normal detergent routine.
11. Help Soften Laundry Water
Hard water can make laundry detergent less effective and may leave clothes feeling stiff. Borax can help condition the wash water and reduce some of the problems associated with hard water.
Add ¼ cup of borax to the wash according to the product directions and your machine’s instructions.
How to Handle Borax Safely
Borax is useful around the house, but it should be treated like a household chemical rather than an ordinary pantry ingredient. It should never be eaten or used as a personal-care product.
Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Store borax in its original container or another clearly labeled, tightly closed container.
- Keep it away from children and pets.
- Avoid breathing the powder when measuring or mixing it.
- Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or will be handling the powder for an extended period.
- Wash your hands after using it.
- Avoid getting borax in your eyes.
- Use it in a well-ventilated area.
- Follow the product label for the amount and intended use.
- Never mix borax with other household cleaners unless the product instructions specifically say it is safe.
- Be especially careful with garden applications because excess boron can harm plants and soil.
Borax can earn its spot in a household cleaning cabinet, but more isn’t better. Using the right amount for the right job keeps this old-fashioned cleaner useful without creating new problems around the house.
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