Beneficial Borax
Source of Recipe
Janean Nusz
Recipe Introduction
A great laundry booster and so much more!
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral
compound. Inexpensive, easy to find and readily available,
borax can usually be found for as little as $1 per pound!
Borax's most well-know purpose is as a laundry booster. Add
1/2 to 3/4 cup to your laundry along with your regular
detergent to help remove stubborn stains and odors. Borax
works by conditioning the water and controlling alkalinity.
Many parents use borax to soak soiled baby diapers and
garments for better removal of stubborn stains and odors. For
a soaking solution, mix 1/2 cup borax with 2 to 4 gallons of
hot water.
Borax can also be used as an inexpensive, but effective, floor
and surface cleaner. To make the cleaner, mix 1/3 cup of borax
with 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon of warm
water in a large bucket.
Borax is also known for its odor-fighting properties,
especially urine odors caused by pet or child accidents. Use
borax to neutralize urine odors from mattresses, carpet and
upholstered furniture. Simply dampen the affected area,
sprinkle with borax, rub into the stain and let dry. Brush off
or vacuum to remove the borax when dried. Be sure to test an
inconspicuous area when using this method, particularly when
using on carpet and furniture! This method also removes
stubborn sour milk odors, too.
Make an inexpensive and effective scouring compound by mixing
1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 1/2 cups of hot
water. Stir well, and then use as you would a regular scouring
powder. Borax alone can also be used as a cleanser, just
sprinkle on a damp sponge or a soft cloth, scrub, then rinse.
Borax, alone, may even be used on sensitive surfaces, such as
fiberglass and porcelain, without scratching. Try using borax
as a cleanser on aluminum cookware, it works great and won't
scratch!
Take advantage of borax's odor-fighting properties; use it to
defeat those offensive odors in refrigerators, disposals,
humidifiers, kitchen drains, toilet bowls and trashcans.
~ For disposals and drains, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons into
drain or disposal, let stand for 20 minutes, and then flush
with water.
~ To deodorize refrigerators, wipe the inside of the appliance
down using a sponge or soft cloth and a solution of 1 quart
water mixed with 1 tablespoon of borax, then rinse with cold
water.
~ Deodorize your garbage cans, bins and dumpsters by rinsing
with a solution of borax (1 tablespoon borax per quart of
water), allow to air dry, then sprinkle 1/2 cup (or as needed
to coat evenly) into the bottom of the receptacle.
~ To freshen your humidifier, fill the unit with this same
solution of borax and water, allow to sit for 20 minutes, and
then rinse well before using.
~ For toilet bowls, sprinkle 1/4 cup of borax into the bowl,
swish with a toilet brush, let stand for at least 20 minutes
(or overnight for stubborn problems), and then flush.
Borax has other uses as well.
~ To make a simple slime that your kids will love to play
with, mix 1/2 cup water and 1 cup white glue in a glass or
ceramic bowl. Add 4 drops of food coloring if desired. In a
separate glass or ceramic bowl, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon borax
into 1/2 cup water. Slowly stir the dissolved borax mixture
into the white glue mixture to make slime. Store in a tightly
sealed jar when not in use. Compare this inexpensive slime to
the commercial brands, and you'll see a real value!
~ To make your own dried flower arrangement, preserve your
flowers using borax. Sprinkle borax into a small box, such as
a shoe box, cut the flowers you wish to preserve to desired
length, lay flowers (two per box) on the borax and completely
cover with another layer of borax. Close the box tightly,
taping closed if necessary. Allow the boxed flowers to sit at
room temperature for one week, then strain off the borax and
reveal your preserved flowers. Reuse the strained borax powder
to dry additional flowers.
~ Kill roaches safely and effectively in your home. Mix equal
parts of powdered sugar and borax, place in crevices, along
walls, under appliances and in the back of cupboards. The
roaches will eat this inexpensive "bait" and die. Although
borax is safer than commercial poisons, always be sure to keep
this mixture away from small children and pets!
Look for borax in your supermarket's laundry aisle and start
saving money today!
____________________________
Janean Nusz is a freelance writer, professional reviewer and
computer support specialist. Visit her website, AuthorsArt.com
for free guides, computer tips, reviews, and fantastic
fiction.
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