Sodium Tetraborate, known as borax, is a very versatile mineral with many uses in everyday life. Check out:
O borax, commercial name for Sodium Tetraborate, is a very versatile mineral, as it has several uses. In fact, this mineral is widely used at an industrial level, mainly in the production of household cleaning products, but it also has antiseptic and antifungal properties and, therefore, provides health benefits.
This substance is basically formed by boric acid and sodium salt, and can be obtained through the repeated evaporation of saltwater lakes, generally found in places like Turkey and Romania. In any case, borax has many uses in everyday life, especially in home maintenance.
However, it is important to take certain precautions when using this substance. In small quantities, the product is not dangerous, but incorrect use can lead to some risks, such as allergic skin reactions. Anyway, below we will introduce you to some possibilities for using borax in cleaning your home.
Uses of Borax in Home Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the main uses of borax is as an ingredient in cleaning products, which is why it can help a lot with everyday hygiene, as we will see below:
1. Sink cleaner
The product is very effective for disinfecting sinks, whether stainless steel or porcelain. To do this, you will mix a little lemon juice with 250 grams of the substance and rub the surfaces to be cleaned with a sponge or brush.
Let the mixture act for a few minutes and then rinse normally. The combination of these two ingredients removes moisture stains and restores the sink’s shine.
2. Borax repellent
Yes, this substance can also serve as a very effective repellent against cockroaches, ants, bedbugs and other insects that often appear at home. In this case, the ideal is to mix a spoonful of the mineral with a spoonful of sugar in half a cup of water until it forms a paste. So, apply it in the kitchen, door cracks and other places where insects tend to appear.
3. All-Purpose Cleaner
A good multipurpose cleaner is essential when cleaning your home, and borax can be a great ally. It is useful for disinfecting walls, floors, bathrooms and other areas of the house. Furthermore, it is very easy to prepare the multipurpose mix. Simply mix a spoonful of the mineral in a liter of water and apply to the areas that need to be cleaned. Therefore, scrub well with a sponge and remove all dirt.
4. Product for cleaning toilet bowls
Continuing with the uses of borax in cleaning, it is clear that the substance would be effective in removing the most persistent dirt that remains in the toilet bowl. This way, you will only need to mix half a cup of the mineral in 3.7 liters of water and rub it over the vase with a brush or loofah. Then, let the mixture act for 10 minutes and rinse well afterwards.
5. Deodorant with borax
As we know, it is common for mattresses, cushions, pillows, etc. to become smelly over time. A simple solution to this problem is a mixture of 125 grams of borax with 375 ml of water. Just mix the two ingredients well and apply to the area you want to clean. Then, scrub with a clean cloth or brush.
6. Product to eliminate rust
Borax can also be a great help when removing rust from things. In fact, you can use it on any type of surface that is rusty. To do this, you will mix a little lemon juice and two tablespoons of borax and apply it over the rusty area. Then, wait about an hour and remove the mixture using a damp cloth.
7. Pot and pan cleaner
We know how difficult it is to remove grease and oil from pans, but borax can be of great help in this regard. This is because this substance is very powerful when it comes to removing this type of dirt. So, you will mix 60 ml of detergent with 10 grams of borax and add it to the sponge. Then, just scrub all the utensils you want to clean very well.
8. Borax herbicide
Yes, among its many uses, this mineral can also be used as a herbicide, being very effective in eliminating weeds that end up affecting plants. And best of all, it is completely organic and does not cause any harm to the environment.
Therefore, you will mix 280 grams of the substance with 125 ml of warm water and 7 and a half liters of cold water. And that’s it, just spray it on the plants affected by the pests.
9. Laundry soap
Borax can also help with washing clothes, being great for removing stains and bad odors from items. For the mineral to work as laundry soap, you will put half a cup of borax in the washing machine along with the dirty clothes and the soap you already use. In addition to whitening clothes, it also removes stains, neutralizes odors and maintains the pH of the water at the ideal level for cleaning.
10. Carpet Cleaner
Yes, borax is also very effective when cleaning carpets. In fact, in this case, the recommendation is to use the substance with baking soda to remove all mites and any microorganisms that may remain in the carpets. To do this, mix two cups of the mineral with one cup of bicarbonate. Then, when the mixture dries, place it on the carpet and let it act for an hour and a half and then just vacuum up the dust.
11. Unblocker
Finally, this substance can also be used as a pipe and sewer cleaner. This is only possible due to the acidic properties of borax. Therefore, you will need to mix half a cup of this substance in two cups of boiling water and pour it down the clogged drain. Let the product act for about 15 minutes and then run some more hot water down the pipe to remove any residue that may have remained in the pipe. Okay, problem solved.
Borax properties
Borax is a mineral resulting from the mixture of hydrated sodium salt with boric acid, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cleaning industries. It is soluble in water and in nature can be found in its natural state, in the form of small crystals grouped together with a tiny whitish powder appearance.
Therefore, in particular, it is an important boron compound and the commercial name of boron salt. In fact, the name “borax” is due to the group of related compounds that differ due to their water content: Anhydrous borax or sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), Borax pentahydrate (Na2B4O7 – 5H2O), Borax decahydrate (Na2B4O7 – 10H2O) .
It is possible to buy the substance in pharmacies and also in stores specializing in chemical products.
Care when handling borax
As previously stated, despite its various uses, both in cleaning and health, the use of borax also involves risks. Therefore, it is important to take some precautions when using the product.
In small quantities, boric acid does not pose any health risks, but with inappropriate use and large quantities, it can result in some unwanted reactions.
Therefore, borax is not recommended for children under 3 years of age and should not be used for a long time or in large quantities, as it can enter the bloodstream and be toxic. In cases of poisoning, which is the only contradiction of the product, the person may feel nausea, vomit, diarrhea, skin rashes, fevers and even convulsions.
Anyway, what did you think of this article? Take the opportunity to also check out 8 uses of baking soda to look more beautiful.
Sources: Monouso Melhor com Saúde Casa dos Químicos eCycle
