What Is Borax—and 15 Clever Ways to Use It Around Your Home

The substance has long been used in households to brighten laundry, remove stains, and beyond.

Once a staple in laundry rooms, borax has dwindled in popularity over the past few years. But the beloved product shouldn't be overlooked—borax can be used to brighten laundry, remove stains from household surfaces, freshen sink drains, and more. If you're interested in using the powerful laundry additive in your own home, there are a few things you should know, including what borax is and how to use it safely.

Related: Cleaning Vinegar Is Stronger Than White Vinegar—Here's How to Use It to Make Your House Shine

What Is Borax?

Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a compound that contains boron, an element that is found naturally in our environment in the air, soil, and food we eat, says Maryann Amirshahi, PharmD, MD, MPH, PhD, FACMT, FACEP, FASAM, FCP, co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center. Also known as sodium borate, borax is available in powders, granules, and crystals. It dissolves well in water and is often used as a laundry booster.

Is Borax Safe?

Borax is safe to use as a household cleaner and laundry booster, as long as you carefully follow the instructions on the product container. "Wear gloves when cleaning with borax, and when you are done cleaning, wash your hands immediately with soap and water," says Dr. Amirshahi. "Use borax products in a well-ventilated area and do not mix borax with other cleaning chemicals. If you get borax on the skin or in the eyes, wash the area with running water." Be sure to store borax out of reach from children and pets.

Borax is not meant for consumption, and it should not be applied to the skin or eyes. "When ingested, borax can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract," says Dr. Amirshahi. "When large doses of borax are consumed, kidney damage, anemia, and seizures can occur."

Borax vs. Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and borax are both used as household cleaning products, but there are some key differences. "The pH of borax is 9.5 versus 8 for sodium bicarbonate, meaning that borax is more alkaline," says Dr. Amirshahi. "The more alkaline a product, the harsher it is."

Borax vs. Boric Acid

Both borax and boric acid contain boron and belong to a class of chemicals called borates, but there are some distinctions between the two. "Boric acid is a processed and more refined chemical than borax," says Dr. Amirshahi. "Boric acid has also been used as a cleaning product in the past, but less commonly so in recent years." Today, boric acid is more commonly found in insecticides, pesticides, and is also found as a preservative and disinfectant in many personal care products. Like borax, boric acid products can be toxic if ingested.

How to Use Borax at Home

There are many practical uses for borax in the home, but these are some of the most common:

Brighten Clothes

One of the most common uses for borax is in laundry. "Using borax in the laundry can whiten and brighten clothes, get rid of odors, and soften hard water to reduce mineral deposits left behind on fabrics," says Kristin DiNicolantonio of the American Cleaning Institute. Add 1/2 cup of borax to your laundry to brighten white or colored clothes.

Freshen Drains

Give kitchen drains a refresh with borax. "Add 3 tablespoons of borax to the garbage disposal and let the powder sit for at least 15 minutes," says DiNicolantonio. "Turn on the disposal and flush it with hot water for one minute."

Remove Stains From Sinks

Use borax to remove stubborn stains from your sink. "Create a borax paste using 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup of lemon juice," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. "Using a sponge or cloth, rub the paste into stains allowing it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing and gently scrubbing away with warm water."

Remove Rust

Borax is even heavy-duty enough to remove rust from surfaces. "While wearing rubber gloves, spread the borax paste onto the rust stain you wish to remove and allow it to rest until it begins to dry," says Mock. "Scrub the paste into the rust using a sponge or rag and then remove using a clean rag and warm water until the area is thoroughly rinsed." Dry the area thoroughly so rust doesn't form again.

Clean Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture can get dirty quickly, but borax can make it look brand new again. "Use a cleaning brush to scrub away any dry debris or dirt," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids. "Then mix together 1 cup of borax with 4 cups of warm water. Apply the mixture to the furniture and allow to sit for up to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water."

Related: How to Clean and Care for Your Outdoor Furniture Throughout the Year

Remove Mildew

To remove mildew from surfaces, combine 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of hot water and pour it into a spray bottle. "Spray the afflicted area with the solution generously before allowing it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes," says Mock. "Use a clean sponge or rag to scrub off any residue before rinsing thoroughly with warm water."

Freshen Shoes

There are two ways to freshen shoes with borax. "You can sprinkle 2 tablespoons of borax into each shoe and allow it to sit overnight, shaking out before wearing," says Mock.

Alternatively, you can make a spray by dissolving 2 tablespoons of borax into 1 liter of warm water. Spray it into your shoes and allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub the shoes with a damp cloth and then allow them to dry for a quick refresh.

Deodorize Rugs and Carpets

Refresh smelly rugs and carpets by combining equal parts borax and baking soda and sprinkling the mixture over the affected area. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming, says Mock.

Clean the Toilet

Put 1/4 quarter cup of borax into the toilet bowl and use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, says Cohoon. Next, add 1 cup of vinegar and scrub again. Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes and flush.

Related: How to Clean Your Bathroom From Top to Bottom

Make an All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Turn borax into an all-purpose cleaning spray and use it on countertops, windows, and appliances and wipe off to remove tough stains, dust, and food residue, says Mock. "Combine 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle for a simple cleaning solution for various surfaces throughout the home," she says.

Repel Pests

Sprinkle small amounts of borax around the cracks, crevices, and gaps of your home to deter insects like ants, spiders, beetles, and other bugs. "This method is effective for hard-to-reach areas where traditional pesticides are not as easy to get to," says Mock.

Clean Vinyl or Tile Floors

The next time you mop your vinyl or tile floors, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of borax into you bucket of warm water and mop and dry as usual for a deeper clean.

Clean Glass Shower Doors

Make your glass shower doors sparkle by mixing borax and warm water until a paste forms. "Apply with a sponge to the glass and scrub in circular motions," says Cohoon. "Rinse thoroughly and squeegee dry."

Related: How to Clean a Shower, From Glass to Tile

Remove Water Spots

Remove water spots from surfaces by combining borax and warm water until a paste forms. "Apply the paste to the water spot area, allow to sit for up to 20 minutes. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth," says Cohoon.

Clean the Dishwasher

Start by removing the racks and emptying the trap of your dishwasher. "Sprinkle about 1 quarter cup of borax over the bottom of the machine, add your preferred dishwasher detergent, and run on the normal cycle," says Cohoon.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.