Borax and it's many uses, back to basics

Here is some borax information which will help you decide whether to use this eco-friendly cleaner.
Borax is a wonderful, powerful cleaning agent to add to your arsenal of green and eco-friendly home cleaning products. It was a trusted cleaning product back in Victorian times - it was probably a familiar to most of our great great gra...ndmothers.
his is the most crucial borax information - and yet reports about borax safety give a rather mixed message. Here's what I've gleaned about borax safety.
While borax is safe if used correctly, be sure to read the safety advice below.
Borax is a natural product in that it can be mined. Death Valley in the US has natural deposits of Borax. It can also be synthesised for industrial needs.
It has fallen into relative disuse in recent times, doubtless because of the powerful chemical cleaners which now dominate supermarket shelves. Because of the recent interest in green cleaning materials and green living it is staging a come back.
Borax information: what is it exactly?
The chemical formula for household borax is B4O7Na2. 10H2O. Borax is a name for several different similar chemical compounds, of which probably the commonest is sodium decahydrate. They all contain sodium and boron. Boric acid or boracic acid is an acid which can be derived from borax.
Boron, a valuable trace metal in foods and soils, is quite toxic in excess. In fact, it is so toxic that it can be used as a herbicide. Borax itself is also quite toxic, which means that safe handling and storage are imperative. It's toxic enough to kill ants, fleas and cockroaches and other unwanted insect life.
Its effects upon the environment are not yet well documented but it can be toxic to aquatic life if too concentrated. It is regarded by the Australian government as a low threat to the environment but a moderate threat to health.
Borax needs to be stored carefully because it is toxic if ingested. While this may be unlikely to happen, even by accident, anyone using it should be aware because of the dangers of very young children playing with it.

Borax information: use it for general purpose cleaning

Boric acid (boracic acid) is a derivative from borax which is also used for killing insects. It is generally regarded as quite safe. Again, it should not be taken internally nor breathed in, as the chemical may cause respiratory problems. See also the safety advice below for how to use borax responsibly.
Borax information: safety advice
Always keep borax away from food. It is quite toxic if ingested. As little as a teaspoonful could possibly kill a small child or make them quite sick, so keep it well out of reach of children.
For others swallowing borax could provoke gastic upsets. Nevertheless it is regarded by Rio Tinto (who manufacture it in California) as having "low acute toxicity".
Shine china.
Deodorize cat filler.
Preserve flowers.
Clean hairbrushes and combs.
Clean a metal coffee pot.
Clean chocolate from clothing.
Make children's clothing flame retardant.
Make your own household cleanser for walls and floors.
Make your own automatic dishwashing soap.
Gently clean porcelain and aluminum cookware.
Reduce water spots on glasses and dishes.
Clean spills and stains on carpet and upholstery.
Deodorize garbage disposers.
Neutralize urine odors from mattresses and mattress covers.
Neutralize pet urine and sour spilled milk odors.
Boost laundry detergent.
Wash diapers and baby clothes.
Wash delicate hand washables.
Eliminate bathtub rust stains.
Soften soap and rinse waters.
Clean and deodorize a refrigerator.
Keep the water in a humidifier free from odor.
Wash windows
Reduce ash and eliminate smoke problems from candlewicks in homemade candles.
Sometimes referred to as "the miracle mineral," this time-honored household ingredient is the natural solution for just about everything under your roof, from cleaning to insect control.
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is an a naturally occurring substance and an eco-friendly solution for many things around the house. Most commonly used as a cleaning agent, the uses extend far beyond that.
PEST CONTROL
1. Keep roaches, waterbugs, and ants away
2. Keep the mice out
3. Get rid of bed bugs
4. Kill fleas
CLEANING
5. Scrub dirty pots and pans
6. Remove a stubborn stain
7. Remove rust
8. Make an all-purpose cleaner
9. Removes oxidation from metals
10. Make your own floor and wall cleaner
11. As a laundry detergent,
12. Remove stains from stainless steel or porcelain sinks
13. Clean your toilet
14. Clean outdoor furniture
15. Make your own dishwasher detergent
DEODORIZING
16. Minimize odor in your cat's litter box
17. Clean your garbage disposal
18. Remove mildew and mustiness
19. Unclog drains
20. Remove urine odor from a mattress.
21. Deodorize and clean your fridge
22. Deodorize your garbage pail
OTHER USES
23. Kill weeds
24. Soften your water
25. Bring life back to your worn china
Along with these 25 household solutions, borax is used commercially as an ingredient in enamel glaze, adhesives, ink for indelible pens and is more recently being used in place of Mercury for extracting gold in smaller scale mining operations. In some countries, borax is used as a food additive, but is not approved for use as such in the United States.

Borax is a fantastic product for getting rid of grease. Use it around the house, much as you would use washing soda. You can clean sinks and drains by pouring a hot solution down the water ways. Borax works best when combined with hot water.
Borax is good for cleaning windows, tiles and enamel surfaces. You can sprinkle a little onto a soft damp cloth - or you can make a solution of about a tablespoonful in 2 or 3 litres of hot water. Use a stronger solution on grubby paintwork.
I recently used it for cleaning my bathroom and it was noticeably effective and fast for cleaning tiles and paintwork. There was no detectable smell present, which to me was a bonus.
Use it as part of your washing up to get through grease. You can add it to the water along with the washing up liquid. Rinse with clean water after use.
You can also use it to clean surfaces such as chopping boards. However you should rinse surfaces thoroughly after use as borax is a little toxic.
For cleaning the oven, make up a paste of borax, washing soda and vinegar. Apply it with a brush and leave the mixture to do its work for a few hours. Wipe away the dirt with a damp cloth.
Borax can also be used as a deterrent to insects and even mice. Sprinkle it along places where mice run - they don't like getting it on their feet.
by soaking it in a sink full of warm water and a 1/2 cup of borax. Rinse well and wash a second time as usual.when doing laundry by adding borax to the load.by sprinkling borax where you've seen weeds previously appear. This is useful for weeds that surface in concrete cracks and on walkways, but shouldn't be used in the garden because it will also kill your plants. Sprinkle some borax around the perimeter of the house too and you'll be free from ants and other intruding insects. by filling it with borax and water. Let it soak then rinse it out. Sprinkle some borax in the bottom once it's clean. This will keep the bugs away and absorb any odor causing moisture. by washing it with a borax and water solution.Wet the mattress rub in borax with a damp cloth. Let dry, then vacuum up the remaining residue. with 1/2 cup of borax followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then run your water for a few minutes to flush it out. from linens by soak them in 2 cups of borax mixed with 2 quarts of water. Let the linens sit for a few hours, then rinse them clean. by putting 3 tablespoons of borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour and flush it with warm water. This will sanitize it, taking care of any smelly bacteria. by mixing a few tablespoons of borax in with the litter.by mixing 1tablespoons borax and 1tablespoons baking soda. by washing it with this mildew zapping solution: In a spray bottle, mix 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 quart warm water.with this solution: Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water. Scrub the toilet with a strong brush, let it sit and flush to rinse. This non-abrasive cleaner can also be used in the bathtub or on counters. with this recipe: Make a paste with 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Using a sponge or cloth, rub the stain with the paste. Rinse with warm water.add one cup of borax to each load and significantly boost your cleaning power. by mixing 1/3 cup borax, 1 tablespoons ammonia and 1 teaspoon dish detergent into 1 gallon of water. with borax. The ingredient is also used as a flux in welding. by mixing 2 tablespoons borax and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.by mixing the above solution with a tablespoon of lemon juice. by mixing 1 cup of borax with 2 cups of warm water and apply the paste directly to the stain. Let it sit, then launder as usual. Remove carpet stains by dampening the stain thoroughly and rubbing some borax on it. Vacuum it then finish it off with a vinegar and water solution. Let it dry and repeat if necessary. Use this same method on soiled mattresses. It will get rid of both the odor and stain. with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of borax and warm water. Because borax is non-abrasive, it will work on the grime without damaging the surface material.by sprinkling borax on your carpet. Leave it for an hour and vacuum it up thoroughly. by sprinkling borax on your mattress. Let it sit and vacuum it up.by sprinkling borax on the floor along the wall. by sprinkling a combination of equal parts all-natural borax and sugar.Dissolve one tablespoon of table salt and three tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax in one cup of warm water. Soak heavy twine in the solution for at least 24 hours. Allow the twine to dry thoroughly before using to make candles.. Mix one-quarter cup 20 Mule Team Borax, one-half cup ammonia, and two gallons of water to add more sparkle when cleaning windows.Dissolve one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax per gallon of water before adding to the unit. Use this treatment once or twice a year. Mix one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax in one quart warm water. Wash spilled food with a sponge and soft cloth. Rinse with cold water. Add one tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax per quart of water. Scrub the stains with a paste made from 20 Mule Team Borax and lemon juice.Dissolve one-quarter cup 20 Mule Team Borax and two tablespoons detergent in a basin of warm water. Soak hand washables for ten minutes, rinse in clear, cool water, blot with a towel, lay flat (woolens) or hang to dry (away from sunlight and direct heat). Flush out dirty diapers and soak as soon as possible in a diaper pail filled with warm water and one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax. Pre-soak for at least thirty minutes before washing in warm water, adding one-half cup borax with the recommended amount of detergent. Wash linens, bibs, slips, and cotton crib liners in hot water, adding one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax and detergent. Borax helps get rid of odors, reduce staining, and make diapers more absorbent.Add one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax to each washload along with the recommended amount of detergent. For large capacity and front-loading machines, add three-quarter cup. Borax acts as a water conditioner, boosting the cleaning power of detergent by controlling alkalinity, deodorizing the clothes and aiding the removal of stains and soil. Dampen the spot, rub in 20 Mule Team Borax, let dry, then vacuum or brush clean.Dampen the spot, rub in 20 Mule Team Borax, let dry, then vacuum or brush clean. Sprinkle two to three tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax in the drain, let it stand for fifteen minutes, then flush with water with the disposer on. Borax helps deodorize garbage disposers by neutralizing acidic odors.Blot up the spill, sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax to cover the area, let dry, and vacuum. Before treating, make sure the carpet dye is colorfast by testing an unexposed area with a paste of 20 Mule Team Borax and water. For wine and alcohol stains, dissolve one cup 20 Mule Team Borax in one quart water. Sponge in the solution, wait thirty minutes, shampoo the spotted area, let dry, and vacuum. Add one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax to the dishwasher Sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax on pots and pans, rub with a damp dishcloth, and rinse thoroughly.Use equal parts 20 Mule Team Borax and washing soda.Add one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax, one-half teaspoon Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, and one teaspoon ammonia to two gallons warm water.Mix together nine ounces 20 Mule Team Borax and four ounces boric acid in one gallon water. If the article is washable, soak in the solution after final rinsing, then dry. If the garment is not washable, spray with the solution. This solution, recommended by fire departments, may wash out of clothing and should be used after each washing or dry cleaning. Sponge the spot with a solution of one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax and one cup warm water. Flush with water. If that doesn't work, make a paste with borax and water, work into the stain, let set for one hour, flush well with warm water, and launder as usual.Fill the percolator with water and add one teaspoon 20 Mule Team Borax and one teaspoon detergent powder. Boil the water, let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then rinse clean.Mix a quarter cup 20 Mule Team Borax and a tablespoon of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid in a basin of warm water. Soak hairbrushes and combs in the solution, rinse clean, and dry.Mix one part 20 Mule Team Borax and two parts corn meal. Fill the bottom one-inch of an empty airtight canister with the mixture. Place the flower on the mixture, then gently cover the flower with more mixture, being careful not to crush the flower or distort the petals. Flowers with a lot of overlapping petals, such as roses and carnations, are best treated by sprinkling mixture directly into the blossom before placing them into the box. Seal the canister and store at room temperature in a dry place for seven to ten days. When the flowers are dried, pour off the mixture and dust the flowers with a soft artist's brush. Borax removes the moisture from blossoms and leaves, preventing the wilting which would normally result.Mix one-and-a-half cups 20 Mule Team Borax to every five pounds of cat filler to reduce and control odor in the cat box.Add one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax to a sinkful of warm water, rinse fine china, then rinse again in clean water. Even as little as a teaspoonful could prove fatal if swallowed by a young child. For this
reason, be very careful if using it anywhere near food and wipe up spills immediately. (See below for safety advice when using borax.)
There is a slight hazard of contamination through skin contact. It may cause irritation and redness from prolonged contact. If you have any cuts or abrasions on your hands you should use rubber gloves when handling it or using it in solution.
Borax can also be bought as a powdered hand soap.
As it comes in a stable, crystalline powder there's very little danger of inhalation. However, if you use it as a fine powder you should protect yourself against inhalation and wear safety goggles.
Borax is related to but not the same as boron - which is now thought to be an essential trace element in human nutrition. Some people take "Borax tablets" as a medicine for a variety of complaints. The amounts of borax contained in these preparations is extremely small and should present no health threat, used correctly.
It is probably easy to get unduly concerned about the safety of borax; if you look at the toxicology data for common salt, it is not that different! Even salt can be hazardous if you ingest too much of it. For most purposes, borax is quite safe if you keep it out of reach of children and take precautions if there is a risk of dust inhalation.
Some people use boracic acid for yeast infections. I've no idea how good or safe this is. Natural health through good nutrition may be a better long-term answer.

Borax information: borax and cleaning

Borax has several different cleaning properties. It can act a little like hydrogen peroxide in that it has a bleaching effect when dissolved in hot water. A reaction occurs in which a little hydrogen peroxide is produced (H2O2). It also enhances the cleaning power of other cleaning agents. Bleach for example, is made stronger by mixing with borax. It has anti-microbial properties and it inhibits moulds and fungal growth. It is quite strongly alkaline, so it's probably best to wear gloves if you are putting it into washing up water or using it for cleaning surfaces. It's not very reactive which means that it can be safely combined with other cleaning products. Don't mix it with acids or store it with acids.