Borax Powder
Also known by the names sodium borate, sodium tetraborate and disodium tetraborate, Borax is a compound that serves a myriad of uses. An essential ingredient in many scientific and industrial applications, this white powder-like mineral can also be employed in various ways around the household.
The most common use of borax powder is as a cleaning agent. When doing the laundry, only 1 cup of borax for each bundle of clothes is enough to work wonders.
A solution made up of 1 cup of borax and 2 cups of warm water can be used in removing stains and odor from carpets and mattresses. The same mixture added with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice is good for removing rust. A teaspoon of borax mixed with warm water works well in scrubbing pots and pans, effective in scouring off stains without causing damage to their surfaces. And one can combine 2 tablespoons of borax with 2 cups of hot water and mix them together in a spray bottle to make their own all-purpose cleaner.
A stain removing paste that works on anything from porcelain to stainless steel can be made by mixing 1 cup of borax powder with a ¼ cup of lemon juice. Half a cup of borax dissolved in a gallon of water makes a good toilet cleaner. A teaspoon of borax, a teaspoon of dish detergent, and a quart of warm water, mixed together in a spray bottle, can be used to wash the mildew off of al fresco furniture.
A bit of borax powder can be used to deodorize the refrigerator, the cat’s litter box or the garbage bin. A floor-and-wall cleaner can be made from a 1/3 cup of borax, a tablespoon of ammonia and a teaspoon of dish detergent. A tablespoon each of borax and baking soda is all it takes to concoct a homemade dishwashing detergent. Half a cup of borax and 2 cups of boiled water can take care of clogged drains, while 3 tablespoons of borax would dispose of any bacteria in the garbage disposal.
Borax powder can be used to kill weeds that creep up from cracks and grow around certain areas of the house. However, it should not be used in gardens, as it would also be harmful to the plants. A mixture of borax and sugar can also be used to ward off pests such as ants, cockroaches and water bugs. Borax can also get rid of fleas by sprinkling some of it on the carpet, wait for 1 hour and then give the carpet a thorough vacuuming. A similar process can be utilized to remove bedbugs from mattresses.
One should be advised that borax powder is not a completely harmless substance, and due caution should be practiced in handling it. Although safe when diluted, it can pose a serious health hazard if it is ingested. Always wear gloves when working with it, and keep it away from the reach of children and animals.
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