10 Handy Household Uses for Borax

Since the publish date of this article, it has been brought to my attention that Borax may not be as “green” as we’ve been led to believe. You can read more here. Today’s Creative Life is not responsible for what you use this product for and is confident you will do your research before using any products in your home.

If you love cleaning hacks, then you’re going to find these 10 Handy Household Uses for Borax very useful! Did you know that borax is more than just a detergent booster? It actually can be used in many applications! Since it’s natural and chemical-free, it’s the perfect ingredient for many nontoxic cleaners!

If you have more handy household uses for borax not listed here, I’d love to hear about them! Just leave me a comment.

You may also enjoy the Creative Ways to Use Kool-Aid! I love life hacks!

I’m always looking for toxic-free ways to clean my home. If you are too, then you’ll love my Clever Ways to Clean with Lemons, 20 Uses for Magic Erasers, 10 Frugal Ways to Use Castile Soap, and my Awesome Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide.

10 Handy Household Uses for Borax

1. Homemade Adhesive Remover

Has an adhesive label left its sticky residue on something? All you need is borax and water mixed together in a 2 to 1 ratio! Scrub that mixture over the leftover adhesive and watch all that sticky stuff come right off!

2. Humidifier Deodorizer

To keep your humidifier from smelling, put a 1/2 cup of borax in a gallon of water. Stir that together, then pour it in your humidifier and let it run for 15 minutes. Afterwards, pour out the borax mixture, rinse the humidifier’s tank, then fill it with clean water.

3. Hairbrush and Comb Cleaner

Over time, hairbrushes and combs can get greasy and dirty from hair products and general dust. To clean your brushes and combs, put 1/4 cup of borax and a little dish soap in a tub of warm water, stir it, then place your brushes and comb in it. Let them soak for 30 minutes, then remove, rinse, and let them dry.

4. Deodorize Your Carpet

One of the best uses for borax is as a carpet deodorizer! Just mix borax and baking soda in a 1 to 1 ratio, sprinkle it on your carpet, then let it sit for 30 minutes. At that point, vacuum your carpet clean!

5. Unclog Slow Drains

Another of the many handy uses for borax is as a way to unclog drains! To do this, pour 1/2 cup borax into your drain, then follow it with 2 cups of boiling hot water. Leave it alone for 15 or more minutes, then pour more boiling water down it to completely flush the clog out. If necessary, repeat.

6. Weed Killer

Did you know that borax can kill weeds? On a day when it isn’t windy and it shouldn’t rain, sprinkle it on any weeds in your driveway. You can also use it on weeds in your garden, but be careful or it may kill your plants. And while it’s safer than traditional weed killers, ensure that you don’t leave piles of it around that your pets could ingest.

7. Homemade Soft Scrub

Yet another one of the many handy uses for borax is as an ingredient in a homemade soft scrub! Just mix together borax and dish soap in a 2 to 1 ratio, then scrub your surfaces clean!

8. Litter Deodorizer

Do you hate the smell of your cat’s litter? Just mix a couple of tablespoons of borax into their litter and it’ll help deodorize it! As long as you cat doesn’t eat it it’ll be safe!

9. Kill and Inhibit Mold

If you’ve got mold inside or outside your home, you should use borax to clean it up! Just pour a cup of borax into a gallon of hot water, then stir until it dissolves. Then use either a spray bottle or sponge to put the mixture on the mold. Finally, scrub the surface clean!

10. Clean Your Bathtub and Shower

You probably didn’t know that another of the many handy uses for borax is as an excellent bathtub and shower cleaner! All you have to do is sprinkle some borax on a damp sponge, then scrub your tub and shower. Rinse them afterward, and they’ll be sparkling clean!

These 10 handy household uses for borax will come in handy in helping you create toxic-free cleaning solutions for your home.

Note that borax may irritate sensitive skin, so you may want to wear gloves while using it. Also keep it away from where kids or pets could get to it, as it is toxic when swallowed.

Do you use borax to clean?