Borax, or sodium borate, is a natural chemical that is mined in a few locations worldwide. Although it is toxic when eaten in large amounts, it is much gentler than many man-made cleaning chemicals and is a good green alternative for many types of cleaning. Does this Spark an idea?
General Cleaning
Use borax as an all-purpose surface cleaner that is safe for any surface and won't scratch glass or tile. Sprinkle it directly on bathroom surfaces and tiles, scrub and rinse with water. To make a glass cleaner, mix 2 tbsp. borax with 2 cups water, and apply it with a cloth or sponge. Use borax as a scrubbing agent to clean caked-on food off pots and pans or for scrubbing the pores on cutting boards. It also works as a deodorizer for trash cans, refrigerators and carpets.
Laundry
Borax originally was used primarily for laundry. Add 1/2 cup borax to a load of laundry at the beginning of the wash cycle to boost the detergent's effectiveness. It will brighten colors and whiten whites at any temperature without damaging any type of fabric. It also helps with stains and odors. For tough stains, pretreat the spot with a paste of borax and water. Borax is especially effective at removing mildew and mold stains, which is a common laundry problem if you don't dry it quickly enough.
Insects and Weeds
Borax is useful as an insecticide and herbicide, as it's toxic to insects and plants in large amounts. Sprinkle it onto carpets and leave overnight to kill fleas, or mix it with honey to attract and kill ants. To kill weeks, mix 10 oz. borax with 1 gallon water, and spray onto weeds, but be careful, because it will kill desirable plants as well. Sprinkle borax in the cracks of sidewalks to kill plants and weeds. Also sprinkle borax around the edge of your house to deter bugs such as ants from entering.
Personal Care
Mix borax with a little water, and use it as a gentle and exfoliating hand and facial soap. It is also an effective treatment for fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Simply mix it with water to create a paste, and apply it directly to your skin.
Tags: borax with, large amounts, with water