Borax is a very effective natural product. It is indeed a valuable ally in the home, due to its cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing and insecticidal properties. However, it is a toxic product for health which must be used with precaution. Let’s take a look at its characteristics, its uses and its precautions for use.
What is borax?
Borax is a white product composed of boric acid and sodium salt also known as boron salt. Although it exists in its natural state, since it comes from boron, an element present in water, rock and soil, it is widely used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Borax is also known for its many properties that make it useful in daily household cleaning. It is effective in cleaning multiple surfaces without damaging them. It is indeed a real ally against dirt, bacteria, mould, grease, bad odors and harmful insects, it softens hard water and improves washing. It is also used in the composition of a large number of household and cleaning products.
How to use borax at home?
Borax can be used in many ways at home.
He cleans the carpets
To clean your carpets and get rid of dust mites and pests that live there, mix one cup of baking soda and two cups of borax. Pour the preparation on the carpet once it is dry. Leave it on for 30 minutes to 1 hour then vacuum it up.
It cleans, detaches and whitens laundry
There borax is a good addition to your washing machine. Associated with your usual detergent, it reinforces its action and improves the elimination of stains and bad smells. It whitens linen and prevents white fabrics from graying.
Just pour ½ cup of borax into the washing machine in addition to your regular laundry product. Run your machine as usual.
He cleans the kitchen
This gentle cleaner is very effective for washing aluminum or porcelain pots, pans and utensils. Just sprinkle some on them and rub with a damp cloth before rinsing.
To disinfect the garbage can, the refrigerator and the freezer and eliminate bad smells, dilute a tablespoon of borax in a liter of hot water and clean the appliances with this solution before rinsing.
He cleans the bathroom
Place a little borax on a sponge moistened with warm water or on a soft damp cloth and rub the surfaces to be cleaned. Then rinse with clean water. Borax is very useful for cleaning fragile surfaces without scratching them and for removing limescale and traces.
He cleans the windows
To make your windows shine, dilute two tablespoons of borax in a liter of hot or warm water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the product on the windows. Then wipe with a soft cloth.
It eliminates bad odors
To eliminate bad odors, mix borax and baking soda in equal quantities and drop the solution on the area to be treated. Leave on for 1-2 hours and rinse or vacuum to remove the rest.
It unclogs the drains
Borax is a good drain cleaner. Dilute ½ cup of borax in 2 cups of boiling water in a saucepan and pour the mixture down the clogged drains. Leave on for at least 15 minutes then pour only boiling water to rinse.
It removes rust
Dilute 2 tablespoons of borax with lemon juice and apply to the rusty area. Leave on for at least an hour then remove the residue with a clean damp cloth.
It eliminates unwanted insects
Borax is an excellent insecticide for controlling cockroaches, cockroaches, termites and ants. It makes it possible to manufacture an effective poison.
To do this, form a ball by mixing borax and condensed milk. Arrange these small balls in places where insects pass. They will die of dehydration after ingesting them.
However, be careful with your children and your pets, because this mixture is toxic.
What precautions should be taken with borax?
Borax may be natural, but it is toxic and dangerous to health. It can indeed cause skin and eye irritations, sore throats, nosebleeds, burns, nausea and vomiting as well as allergic reactions.
Always equip yourself with gloves to use it, a mask if possible and long, covering clothing. Always store it in a dry and cool place, out of reach of children and pets.