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15 Ways To Use Borax You’ve Probably Never Even Thought Of
Borax—also known as sodium borate—has been a household staple for generations. Most people know it as a laundry booster, but this humble white powder has a surprising range of uses that extend far beyond the washing machine. Whether you’re looking to deep-clean, deodorize, or even solve some pesky pest problems, borax might be the secret weapon hiding in your cupboard.
Here are 15 clever and unexpected ways to use borax around your home:
1. Unclog Slow Drains
Mix ½ cup of borax with 2 cups of boiling water and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then flush with more hot water. This helps dissolve grease and soap buildup.
2. Clean and Deodorize the Toilet
Sprinkle 1 cup of borax into your toilet bowl before bed. Let it sit overnight, then scrub and flush in the morning. It eliminates odors and hard water stains naturally.
3. Get Rid of Ants and Roaches
Make a simple homemade bait using borax and sugar (equal parts). Ants carry the sugary bait back to their colony, and the borax disrupts their digestive systems. Safe for pets when placed out of reach.
4. Neutralize Garbage Can Odors
Sprinkle borax at the bottom of your garbage can to absorb moisture and neutralize nasty smells. Reapply after every cleaning.
5. Clean Carpets and Rugs
Mix borax with baking soda (1:1 ratio) and sprinkle it over your carpet. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly. It freshens and lifts dirt without harsh chemicals.
6. Refresh a Musty Mattress
Lightly sprinkle borax on your mattress, let it sit for an hour, and then vacuum it up. It absorbs odors and moisture, leaving your bed fresher.
7. Kill Weeds Naturally
Mix 10 ounces of borax with 2.5 gallons of water and spray directly on unwanted weeds in walkways or driveways. Avoid getting it on grass or plants you want to keep!
8. Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Combine 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, ½ cup citric acid, and ½ cup kosher salt. Use 1 tablespoon per load for sparkling dishes—without the chemicals.
9. Mold and Mildew Remover
Make a paste with borax and water, apply to moldy areas, let sit for an hour, then scrub. It’s especially effective in bathrooms and basements.
10. Revive Old China or Cookware
Soak stained dishes or cookware in warm water with ½ cup borax. Let them sit for 30 minutes, then wash as usual. It helps lift stubborn stains and restore shine.
11. Clean Outdoor Furniture
Mix borax with warm water and a splash of dish soap. Scrub down patio furniture to remove grime, algae, and mildew.
12. Deodorize Shoes
Sprinkle borax inside smelly shoes, leave overnight, and shake out the powder the next day. It kills odor-causing bacteria and fungi.