15 surprising uses for borax

Borax might not sound natural but it is! In fact it is one of the most versatile products you can have around the home.

Sodium borate is found naturally in plants and soil, meaning it’s very safe to use at home and in everyday circumstances.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s 15 great ways to stretch your box of borax further.

1. Clean shower and bath

Sprinkle some borax on a sponge or damp cloth and scrub bathtubs and showers. Be sure to rinse afterwards.

2. Clean your brushes and combs

Fill your bathroom sink with warm water, add 1/4 cup of borax and a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and stir with your brush and/or combs. Then let them sit in the mixture for 30 minutes before rinsing.

3. Unclog the toilet

Got a plumbing issue? Add 1/2 cup of borax to your toilet and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Follow with two cups of boiling water and flush. Repeat as necessary.

4. Remove rust

Mix 1 part borax with 1 part lemon juice, spread the mixture onto the rust, then let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Finally, just wipe it clean. Repeat if necessary.

5. Get rid of sticky goo

Mix 1/2 cup of borax with 1/4 cup of water to make a solution that can be used to scrub away things like gum, tar, grease, and other adhesive residue.

6. Remove stains from your laundry

Mix 1 tablespoon of borax with 2 tablespoons of water, and spread it on the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub it away and wash as usual.

7. Remove stains from the carpet

Mix 1/2 cup of borax with 2 cups of warm water, then use the solution and a sponge to saturate the stained area. Scrub it thoroughly, let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum the area and let it dry.

8. Put out a fire

Bicarb soda is normally recommended for grease fires, but borax works just as well. You can also use it to put out campfires or any other type of small fire.

9. Preserve flowers

Got some pretty flowers you want to last much longer than a couple of days? You can dry them out and preserve them with borax. It is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to dry flowers for arrangements and crafts. Simply cut the flowers near the base of the petals. Mix two tablespoons of uniodised salt in with a box of borax. The salt will help preserve the colours in the flowers.

Place about 2cm of borax in the bottom of a shoe box. Place your flowers in the box at least two inches apart. Slowly cover the blooms with the remaining salt and borax. Sprinkle it in gently so that the flowers are not crushed. Cover completely.

Cover the box with a lid and place it in a warm, dry room for 1-2 weeks.

10. Keep pests away

Borax is very effective at keeping cockroaches, ants and other bugs away. You just have to mix equal parts of borax with regular sugar then place wherever you see the critters.

11. Make an All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix 2 tablespoons of borax with 2 cups of hot water and add to a spray bottle!

12. Make a floor cleaner

Mix 1 teaspoon of dish detergent mixed with 1/3 cup of Borax, 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 1 litre of hot water makes a great floor cleaner.

13. Make cleaning slime 

Get dirt and crumbs out from those hard to reach places with this cleaning slime.

14. Clean your coffee pot

Add one teaspoon borax, and one teaspoon of detergent to your coffee pot and heat. Swish around and leave overnight.

15. Lift burnt food off dirty pots and pans

Did you have a big dinner and forget to wash the dishes straight away? You can lift burnt food off your pans and pots easily by sprinkle borax and adding a little water. Leave overnight then scrub.