Borax has long been known for its effectiveness as a cleaning agent. But did you know that it has a wide range of other innovative uses in your everyday life? From pest control to DIY crafts, this humble mineral can be a handy and versatile tool while doing chores. So if you have Borax around the house, you’re going to want to use it.

Whether you’re looking for a natural solution to household problems or simply want to try something new, these creative uses for Borax are sure to inspire you. It’s also non-toxic and effective in removing stains, odors, and buildup from surfaces, appliances, and clothing. Another benefit of Borax is that it’s affordable and widely available, making it a cost-effective solution for many household problems.

The cleaner is generally considered safe for humans and pets when used properly. It definitely shouldn’t be ingested and should stay out of reach of children and pets. And, it shouldn’t be used directly on food surfaces or where food is prepared.

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1. Put out grease fires in your kitchen.

Stuff happens, and grease fires are one of them. Sure, baking soda is normally recommended for these types of conundrums in the kitchen, but Borax works just as well. Plus, you can also use it to put out campfires.

2. Make slime for your kids to play with or for cleaning.

Even the kids will enjoy making their own slime.

Directions:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of Elmer’s glue with 1 tablespoon of water. In another cup, mix 2 tablespoons of Borax and 2 tablespoons of water.
2. Pour the first solution and the borax solution together, then add some food coloring if you want a cool color. It won’t dye your hands at all if you stir it in well before you knead the slime.
3. Knead the slime with your hands. It may seem like it’s taking forever, but don’t give up—you’ll eventually get the perfect consistency.

If you don’t want your kids to play with it, use it for cleaning keyboards or car vents. The slime will get in the cracks and hard-to-reach places, and any crumbs or dust will stick to it. Voilá!

3. Clean stainless steel with paste.

You’ll need one cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of Borax, and club soda. Mix the baking soda, lemon juice, and Borax in a bowl. Add just enough club soda to make it a thick paste. From there, use a rag or sponge to rub paste onto any stainless steel appliances. Wipe the paste off with a wet rag, then shine with a damp microfiber cloth.

4. Make an all-purpose house cleaner.

Mix 2 tablespoons of Borax with 2 cups of hot water. Put the solution in a spray bottle, and clean your kitchen or bathroom with it. Grime begone!

5. DIY your own Liquid-Plumr.

This is super easy and it beats making a run to the store for Liquid Plumr if you happen to have Borax in the house. Add 1/2 cup Borax to boiling water, then pour down drains. Leave for about 15 minutes. Lastly, run tap water until the clog is gone.

 

 

6. Keep pests away from your house.

Keep pesky bugs away by sprinkling Borax around your home. It can be an effective way to keep pests away from your house because it acts as a natural insecticide.

When mixed with sugar and water, Borax forms a bait that attracts and kills ants, cockroaches, and other insects. The sugar in the bait lures the insects over, and the Borax works by damaging their digestive systems, which eventually leads to their demise.

 

7. Make your own toilet bowl cleaner.

Making your own toilet bowl cleaner is a cost-effective and natural alternative to store-bought cleaners. Pour a cup of Borax in the toilet bowl before you go to sleep. In the morning, scrub the toilet down and flush.

Another option is to combine 1/4 cup Borax, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 10 drops of essential oil (optional). Sprinkle the Borax into the toilet bowl and then add the white vinegar.

Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow the Borax and vinegar time to work together. Ultimately, the combo should clean and deodorize the toilet bowl. Use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl, making sure to clean under the rim and around the edges, then flush.

 

8. Create homemade Goo Gone.

Get rid of sticky residue on cups, plates, or a sticker your kid decided to put on your cell phone. Mix Borax and water in a 2-to-1 ratio, rub the paste into the residue, and wipe away.

 

RELATED: How to Get Sticker Residue Off Any Surface

 

9. Easily clean and polish outdoor furniture.

Cleaning and polishing outdoor furniture can be a daunting task, especially when it’s exposed to the elements and has accumulated dirt, grime, and other debris. Fortunately, Borax can be used to clean and polish outdoor furniture easily and effectively. Mix together one teaspoon of dish soap, one teaspoon of Borax, and one quart of warm water in a spray bottle.

 

RELATED: 11 Legit (but Kinda Weird) Kitchen Hacks

 

10. Clean and sanitize your garbage disposal.

Get rid of nasty odors coming from your garbage disposal by putting 3 tablespoons of Borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour or so, then run warm water. As an option, add some lemon juice for additional cleaning power and to leave a fresh scent.

 

11. Clean hairbrushes and combs.

Mix 1/4 cup Borax and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a small bowl with warm water. Let the hairbrushes sit in the water; then rinse clean. Before you use it again, make sure the brush is completely dry.

 

 

12. Wash baseball hats in the dishwasher.

Put any dirty baseball hats in the top rack of your dishwasher, and fill the detergent cup with Borax. Run a normal cycle, and let the hats dry before wearing. Think that’s cool? Check out our other unexpected dishwasher hacks.

 

13. Put Borax in your washer to whiten pillows.

Forget the bleach. Boost your laundry detergent‘s power with a little Borax to clean and whiten pillows. Read about other laundry hacks to save you time.

 

14. Make DIY dishwasher tablets.

It’s seriously so easy to make your own dishwasher detergent tabs. Combine the following in a bowl and pour the mixture between two ice cube trays. The cubes you end up with will be the perfect size for a load of dishes:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 2 cups Borax
• 1/2 cup Kosher or Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup vinegar

15. Decorate your house with crystal seashells.

You’ll need Borax, water, measuring cups, a tablespoon, a regular spoon, glass containers, and seashells (size depends on what you prefer).

Directions:

1. Boil the water and add 3-4 tablespoons of Borax per 1 cup of water. I started with 3 cups at first. When mixing the solution, you’ll see a bit of the powder floating around and settling at the bottom. That just means it’s saturated.
2. Place the seashells in a glass container and add the solution, making sure to completely cover the shells. It’s important to separate your shells so they are not touching each other. Within a couple hours, you’ll notice the crystals begin to form.
3. Let sit overnight and check in the morning.

TIP: Using a glass container will help your solution to cool more slowly. If it cools too quickly, the crystals won’t adhere to the seashells.