8 Ways to Use Borax for Cleaning Naturally on a Budget
A buildup of dust and dirt in your home can make you feel like you’re living in a dump. However, you don’t have to spend tons of money on cleaning products to get your home feeling clean again! Borax, commonly found in the laundry aisle at grocery stores and big box stores, can be used as an all-natural, budget-friendly cleaning product that will leave your home sparkling.
1) Gets rid of ants
Ants are attracted to the sweet taste of borax, so it’s an effective way to get rid of them. Mix equal parts borax and sugar, then place the mixture where you’ve seen ants. The ants will take the bait back to their nest, and the whole colony will be eliminated. You can also use borax to make a natural ant repellent. Just mix 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water and spray it around your home’s perimeter.
2) Removes paint from carpet
You can remove paint from your carpet by making a paste of borax and water. First, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Then, apply the paste to the paint stain and let it sit for about an hour. After an hour, use a clean cloth to blot the area and remove as much of the paste as possible. Finally, vacuum the area to remove any remaining residue.
3) Removes mold from shower curtain
To remove mold from your shower curtain, mix borax and water together to create a paste. Spread the paste onto the moldy areas of the curtain and let it sit for an hour before scrubbing it off. Rinse the curtain with clean water and let it air dry. You should see a noticeable difference in mold growth.
4) Gets rid of fruit flies
A simple way to get rid of fruit flies is to mix borax with sugar and water. Place the mixture in a jar or container with a lid and poke holes in the top. The fruit flies will be attracted to the sugar and will crawl into the jar, where they will be trapped.
You can also use borax to make a homemade fruit fly trap. Simply mix borax with some apple cider vinegar and water, and place it in a bowl. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will drown in the mixture.
5) Keeps silver from tarnishing
To keep your silver from tarnishing, mix one tablespoon of borax with two cups of hot water. Submerge your silver in the mixture and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and dry it with a soft cloth. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture to give it a nice scent.
6) Cleans up grease
You can use borax to clean up grease around your home easily and naturally. All you need is some borax and warm water. Mix 1/2 cup of borax with 1/2 cup of warm water in a bowl. Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and then use it to wipe away the grease. You can also use this mixture to scrub away tough grease stains.
7) Makes fire pits sparkle
If your fire pit is looking a little lackluster, give it a good scrub with borax. Mix borax with water to create a paste, then use an old rag or brush to scrub the grime away. Rinse with clean water and voila! Your fire pit will be good as new.
8) Loosens rust in faucets and pipes
Just like vinegar, borax is acidic and can help loosen rust buildup on metal surfaces. To use, make a paste with equal parts borax and water and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a brush. You may need to repeat this process a few times for tough rust stains.
