The Powerful Uses of Borax

I only recently discovered a product called Borax, also known as sodium borate, which is an important mineral compound and a salt of boric acid.  Borax NATURALLY cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, repels bugs. Let me tell you first hand, this white powder is quiet powerful on just about any stain or greese. You can add it into your laundry to make clothes cleaner and brighter. You can sprinkle a little on your stove or kitchen sink and it will be shiny with just one wipe. NO KIDDING! I was amazed!

So, how does Borax work? Borax has many chemical properties that contribute to its cleaning power. Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This reaction is more favorable in hotter water. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners

The best part about Borax is it's notacutly toxic, like some other cleaning agents, for example, Comet (this thing smells from miles away). Borax has no perfume or chemical smell to it and it's tough on all stains. It's always advisable to wear gloves when handling borax as it can cause skin irritation for some people.

Safety Warning: Do not use Borax around food, keep it out of reach of children and pets, and make sure you rinse borax out of clothes and off of surfaces before use.

Here are a few household uses of Borax:

• Floors - Mix borax with water and wipe the floors to its shiniest clean!
• Mold & Mildew -  Pour the water+borax solution in a spray bottle, spray on furniture/tiles, allow to sit, rinse and then air dry.
• Cookware - Will remove stains and build up without scratching it
• Insects - Repel cockroaches and other bugs by sprinkling around the problem areas, like under the fridge
• General cleaning - Mix with water and spray on any surface, wipe clean
• Dishwasher - Make your own dishwashing detergent, but mixing 1 tbsp of borax + 1 tbsp of baking soda
• Unclog drain - pour 1/2 cup of borax into the drain followed by 2 cups of HOT water

Check out 25 More Uses of Borax