Borax is not only inexpensive, but it is also quite useful! Check out Maggie’s 20 frugal uses for Borax.
Most of us know of Borax as a laundry booster, but Borax can be used for so many more things than just helping with the laundry. This product is a great cleaning agent and all-around household helper. It will also rid your home of all sorts of pesky little critters – if you live in the country like me, you know what I mean!
Borax is a natural mineral and a useful tool in an eco-friendly household. However, Borax should not be ingested, so you should use caution when using Borax around pets and children. While we recommend using Borax to rid carpet and bedding of fleas, you should never use Borax directly on animals. If you are looking for a natural way to rid your pets of fleas, try apple cider vinegar instead.
Ready to put your Borax to more work around your home? Check out the borax uses below.
20 Frugal Uses for Borax
1. Keep roaches, ants at bay by sprinkling a combination of equal parts borax and sugar
2. Sprinkling borax on the floor along the wall will keep mice out of your home
3. Eliminate pesky bed bugs by sprinkling borax on your mattress, let it sit for about 30 minutes then vacuum it up.
4. Kill fleas or dust mites by sprinkling borax on your carpet. Let it sit for an hour and vacuum thoroughly.
5. Clean mildew off your outdoor furniture by washing it with a spray bottle of: 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax, and 1-quart warm water.
6. Sanitize and clean your garbage disposal by putting 3 tablespoons of borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour and flush it with warm water. No more stinky disposal smell!
7. Borax makes a great weed killer, too: Sprinkle a small amount of borax where you’ve seen weeds previously appear (driveway cracks and walkways, etc., not in the garden because it will kill your plants, too)
8. Scrub dirty pots and pans with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of borax and warm water. Because borax is non-abrasive, it will work on the laundry grime without damaging the surface material.
9. Make an all-purpose cleaner for your home by mixing 2 tablespoons borax and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.
10. Make your Own Laundry Detergent – One 55 ounce box of Washing Soda, One 76 ounce box of Borax, One Bar Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Bar Soap (grated) Mix all of these ingredients in a 5-gallon bucket and cut your laundry detergent expenses in 1/2! Huge savings and chemical FREE!.
11. Soak and wash for dirty non-disposable diapers
12. Carpet stain remover or deodorizer – use 1/4 cup borax to 1 cup water. Mix and dissolve. Spray or pour directly on stain. Works well for indoor pet accidents.
13. Rust remover – Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and scrub the rust (elbow grease). Rinse and pat dry
14. Water spots on Dishes – 1 tblsp of borax on in your dishwasher to help remove water spots
15. Mattress stains – Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup borax (it’ll be pasty) Now place the mixture on the mattress stain and scrub. Allow to dry, vacuum (if necessary any dried paste) repeat if necessary (now you don’t have to worry about chemicals on your bed)
16. Garbage Can cleaner – Add 1 cup borax to 2 cups water and clean out your trash can
17. Toilet cleaner – Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to your toilet bowl, scrub with your toilet brush and flush to rinse clean – no chemicals stuck in your bathroom now!
18. Candle Wicks – Dissolve 1 tablespoon of table salt and 3 tablespoons of 20 Mule Team Borax in one cup of warm water. Soak heavy twine, such as butcher’s twine for large candles, in the solution for at least 24 hours. Allow twine to thoroughly dry before using to make candles.
19. Taxidermy – Want to save feathers from a special bird feather you found when on vacation or out in the woods? Collect the feathers in a bag and place 1 cup of borax in your bag with the feathers for 2 weeks to preserve the feathers.
20. Clean Pet Carriers – Make a solution of borax of 1 cup to 2.5 cups water. Allow it to dissolve then spray and clean pet carriers chemical-free.
How do you use Borax in your home?
More Thrifty Household Hacks:
10 Household Uses for Soda Pop
Maggie is a stay-at-home mom. She runs Family Frugal Fun with her best friend Beth. She’s addicted to savings, s’mores, and ice cream!
cheri says
you can also use it in your pool as a ph up!
of xourse wait for 24 before swimming
Wayne Upham says
Borax is toxic so never use it on food contact items. It cleans by becoming a peroxide once in contact with water. It also has boron which will kill plant life (including mold and mildew) and it is toxic to animals (pets, humans) in higher amounts. Borax can be used as a insect killer/deterrent but be careful to prevent animals and young ones from coming in contact with it. Use it but rinse well once the Borax as done it’s job
Aprille says
Thanks for adding that.minwas concerned that no where did it mention the toxicity. If you use the sugar/borax mix for ants be doubly sure it’s placed where pets and young children can’t get to it!
Leatha says
Ammonia, bleach, or chalk powder can be used to fend subsequent
roaches away. Minimize them up and utilize the sections for firewood.
There are a number of spray liquid that can be made to spray ants.
Martine says
My mother used it in Her shoes,1teaspoon in each shoe . Nô stinky feet
Erinn says
Hi, my vegetable garden is watered by our “gray water” from the house. I was looking for a product to use that would be a safe alternative to chemicals found in several laundry detergents and dishwasher soaps. Do you think borax woul be a good and safe altrrnative?
Marie Czarneki says
Just one question, where can you buy “BORAX” in Las Vegas??? I have looked in stores an they seem not to carry it.. It should be in the detergent isle..
Alea Milham says
I have found it at Walmart, Target, Raley’s, and Smiths. It is usually on the top shelf or the bottom of the detergent aisle near the bleach rather than right next to the detergent. I would ask your store’s manager to help you find it. If they don’t have it they may consider ordering it.
Sherry says
I get mine at the $1 Store and use it in my pool instead of chlorine and everything else…I found it on you-tube…LOVE that site and full instructions….
Marty says
I just got some at Walmart couple days ago