20+ Borax Uses & Cleaning Hacks That Will Change Your Life!

Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Organization

A hero is hiding in plain sight on the top shelf of the laundry aisle. Its name? Borax! We're about to share dozens of borax uses, hacks, and tips that will blow your mind.

borax, sponges, lemon, and water, from Fun Cheap or Free

Okay, you might be wondering what the heck borax is, and that's fair. Spoiler: it's not a Dr. Seuss character. It's almost as magical, though!

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If you're not looking for it, you just might miss it. Most grocery stores keep borax on the top or bottom shelf near the laundry supplies. In our opinion, it's the unsung hero or cleaning supplies, and it actually does SO much more than clean. Trust us; you don't want to skip this post! Here we go.

WHAT IS BORAX?

Let's go to school for a quick minute, you guys. If you don't know what borax is, don't worry. We're about to fill you in on its magical powers.

Also known as sodium borate, borax is a white, powdery substance that's used for cleaning. It's sort of like baking soda's cousin. They look pretty similar and share some uses, but they're chemically much different.

Before we get into all the (amazing) ways you can use borax, we have to share a quick disclaimer. It is not safe to ingest, so be sure to keep it out of reach from the kiddos! It is, however, considered a “green” cleaning product. Because it's not harmful to the environment, it's a great alternative to harsher cleaning products.

6 OF OUR FAVORITE INDOOR CLEANING BORAX USES

woman cleaning carpet with borax, from Fun Cheap or Free

It makes sense that a household cleaner is great for cleaning, right? Well, check out these amazing borax uses:

Carpet Stain Remover – If you have kids or pets, we bet you've had to clean your fair share of carpet stains. Well, the next time you find muddy paw prints on your white rug, don't panic. Just mix 1 cup of water with 4 tbsp of borax, wet the stain, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then blot with a rag and scrub with a sponge. It helps get the odor out, too!
Get Rid of Soap Scum – Tired of scrubbing that shower door? Borax does a great job of breaking down soap scum! Make your own cleaning paste with 1/2 cup of water and 3 tablespoons of borax. Gently scrub that scum with your paste, then rinse clean with warm water.
Clean the Fridge – This might be our least favorite chore, but it's way easier with borax! A little goes a long way. Add about 1 tablespoon to 5 cups of warm water, mix well, and then dip a sponge or cloth for cleaning. It's great at cleaning up old food spills!
Get Crayon Marks Off the Wall – Not that we know this from experience or anything (👀), but 1 tablespoon of borax plus 1 cup of warm water will do the trick.
Clean Grout – This one is super satisfying! Mix equal parts of water, baking soda, and borax. Apply with a toothbrush, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub. Watch the dirt and grime melt away!
Laundry – Add 1/2 cup to your next load to whiten those whites!

Pretty cool, huh? Next up, let's talk about outdoor uses for borax!

5 OUTDOOR BORAX USES

woman with herbs from the garden, from Fun Cheap or Free

if you spend a lot of time in your backyard or love to garden, these tips are for you:

Fertilizer – Growing your own herbs, fruits, or veggies? Mix a little borax into your soil!
Clean Patio Furniture – Add 2 teaspoons of borax and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to a quart of water. Transfer it to a spray bottle; then you know what to do! It helps get grime and mildew off in no time.
Gardening – Dealing with pesky weeds? Borax is a great weed killer. Add a cup to a quart of water and spray your plants to keep those weeds at bay.
Deodorize Your Garbage Can – Does your garbage can smell like garbage? The nerve! Borax will be your new best friend. Mix one cup of water and one cup of borax, pour it in your can, and allow it to soak for about an hour, then use a hose to rinse it out. Use more as needed!
Insect Repellant – No water needed for this trick! Just pour a little powder on trouble spots. You can also pour it around the perimeter of your foundation to keep pests from coming inside.

Borax just might be the hack you need to keep your yard pristine! Now, are you ready for this next set of ideas? It's DIY time!

3 FUN BORAX USES FOR THE DIY FANS

making slime with borax, from Fun Cheap or Free

Looking for a fun weekend project? Your kids will love these ideas, too:

Slime – Have you guys tried our fun slime recipe? Our kids love it! If you don't have any contact lens solution, you can make your slime with borax instead! Little Bins for Little Hands has a simple borax slime recipe.
Candles – If you're an aspiring candlemaker, we have just the hack for you! Wikipedia will school you on how to make candle wicks using borax. It's actually pretty easy! If you do make your own candles, they make great gifts for friends!
Crystals – Any science nerds out there? These crystals made from borax are so stinking cool! Just a Little Creativity has all the deets on their blog.

We're a little obsessed with those crystals, but let's keep going! Ready for some more fun with borax? Let's cover a few more random and mind-blowing uses.

6 MORE RANDOM BORAX USES

little girl and mom with violin, from Fun Cheap or Free

Believe it or not, we're not done yet! Here are six more unexpected ways to use your borax. Check these out:

Clean Violin Strings – Dampen a toothbrush, dip it in borax, and you're good to go!
Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal – Put three tablespoons of borax in your disposal and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, turn on your garbage disposal and run some hot water for 1-2 minutes. Boom!
Clean Combs & Brushes – Here's an easy hack! Just fill a mug with warm water, add about 1/2 tablespoon of borax, and stir. Drop your brushes in the mug and let them soak for half an hour, then rinse. They'll be good as new!
Disinfect Mattresses – When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Well, borax does a great job removing stains and odors, including any accidents your little ones might have. Soak stains with a little water, then slowly add a bit of borax and scrub with a brush.
Unclog the Drain – Any girl moms reading this? We know you need this hack! Stop buying that expensive (and highly toxic) drain cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup down your drain, then dump about 2 cups of hot water. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with warm running water.
Remove Rust – Grab a little lemon juice and combine it with equal parts warm water and borax. Apply the solution to your rusty objects and scrub the rust away with a cloth or brush.

Who else plans to stock up on ALL the borax during your next grocery run? The stuff is truly magical, you guys!

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE CLEANING HACKS

Now that you know how to make borax your secret weapon cleaning just might get a little more fun! If you're looking for more tips that will help you keep your home neat and tidy, grab this deep cleaning schedule.

What's your all-time-favorite cleaning hack? Tell us all about it in the comments below!