25 Clever Ways to Use Borax Around the House

Borax is this unassuming all-purpose cleaning powder that’s been around forever. You might remember it from your grandma’s laundry room or the DIY slime craze a few years back.

But Borax has all sorts of clever uses beyond just cleaning and crafting. There are plenty of practical and surprising ways you can put borax to work around your home.

I’m actually going to start with some of the less commonly known uses for Borax and then move onto the more standard ones. That way, for those of you who already know a lot of uses for it, you get the stuff you might not already have heard of first.

1. Restore Old Paint Brushes And Rollers

When leftover paint starts to gum up brushes or rollers, make a warm water soak with one tablespoon of borax per cup of water and let the brushes sit for a few hours or overnight.

The borax helps break down dried paint and softens bristles, making cleanup easier and extending the life of your tools. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and comb out bristles if needed.

2. Make A Homemade Clay Cleaner For Carved Wood And Antiques

For delicate carved wood or vintage pieces where harsh cleaners would harm the patina, mix a thin paste of borax and water. Gently work the paste into crevices with a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, to lift dirt and old wax without scrubbing off the surface finish.

Wipe off with a damp cloth and buff dry. It’s a gentle way to clean tight carved details that are hard to reach.

3. Improve Mop Heads And Microfiber Cloths

Mop heads and microfiber cloths can pick up grease and odors that detergent won’t fully remove. Add half a cup of borax to a hot wash cycle when laundering them.

The borax helps break down oils and neutralize musty smells so the tools come out cleaner and stay fresher longer.

4. Calm Itchy Bug Bites And Poison Ivy

A quick paste of borax and water can help soothe minor itchiness from insect bites or poison ivy after the initial cleansing and drying. Dab the paste on the area briefly and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.

It won’t replace medical treatment for severe reactions, but it can reduce surface irritation and help dry minor weepy spots.

5. Make A Non-Toxic Wood Preserver For Small Projects

For small outdoor wooden items like plant stakes, birdhouse interiors, or small fencing, dissolve a cup of borax into a gallon of hot water and soak the wood for several hours. Borax is a fungicide and insect deterrent; it helps inhibit rot and wood-boring pests.

Let the wood dry completely before painting or installing. This is an inexpensive way to extend the life of small exterior wood items without strong chemicals.

6. Clean And Deodorize Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable grocery bags can get icky over time, collecting old food odors and stains. Sprinkle a little borax inside the bag, add warm water, scrub the fabric gently, then rinse.

You can also just put fabric bags in the laundry with a half cup of borax added to the wash. Bags come out fresher and less likely to transfer food smells.

7. Remove Rust Stains From Concrete And Tubs

Light rust stains on concrete or porcelain tubs can be lifted with a borax paste. Mix borax and a small amount of lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, apply to the stain, and let sit for 15-30 minutes.

Scrub gently with a non-scratch pad and rinse. The borax helps suspend rust so it can be scrubbed away more easily.

8. Make A Cheap Desiccant For Damp Spots

If there’s a small, enclosed spot that gets damp – like a closet, a storage chest, basements or the inside of a toolbox – fill a breathable container with borax to act as a moisture-absorbing desiccant. By breathable container, I mean like a jar with holds in the lid or a mesh bag.

It’s not as good as things like Damp Rid, but it helps reduce mustiness and can keep small spaces drier.

9. Clear Algae From Birdbaths And Small Ponds

For birdbaths and small garden ponds that develop slimy algae, a borax rinse can help. Empty the water, scrub the surfaces with a borax paste, then rinse thoroughly before refilling.

The borax helps remove the algae and discourages regrowth. Always rinse well; don’t use borax where fish or amphibians are present without doing careful research on safe concentrations.

10. Make A Low-Cost Non-Toxic Weed-Killing Spot Treatment

A strong borax solution can be used as a spot treatment on driveways or gravel paths to get rid of weeds in cracks where plants aren’t wanted. Dissolve borax in hot water and pour carefully onto the weed, and try not to get any on plants and soil you want to keep healthy.

This is best for small, targeted jobs because borax can affect soil and nearby plant growth. Use sparingly. It’s ideal for areas like concrete sidewalks where weeds have managed to squeeze in between the blocks.

11. Freshen Up Your Laundry

Borax has long been a go-to laundry booster, and for good reason. It’s a natural whitener, deodorizer, and stain remover all in one.

Add 1/2 cup of borax to your wash along with your regular detergent to get clothes cleaner and fresher. It’s especially great for tackling tough stains like grease, mud, and red wine.

Just make a paste with borax and water and rub it into the stain before washing. The abrasive properties of borax help lift out stubborn marks.

12. Unclog Drains

If you get a slow or clogged drain, Borax can help break down the gunk and grime that’s causing the blockage. Start by pouring 1/2 cup of borax down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar.

Let the mixture fizz for 15-20 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. The borax and vinegar combo will dissolve organic matter and help get things flowing freely again.

13. Scrub Tough Surfaces

To give your kitchen or bathroom a deep clean, sprinkle some borax onto a damp sponge or cloth and use it to scour away stubborn stains, soap scum, and grime. The gentle abrasiveness of borax makes it great for cleaning tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and other hard surfaces without scratching.

For an extra boost, you can make a paste with borax and water and let it sit on the surface for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. This gives the borax more time to work its magic.

14. Deodorize Carpets and Fabrics

Borax is a natural deodorizer that can freshen up carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics around your home. Simply sprinkle some borax onto the affected area, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.

The borax will absorb and neutralize odors from things like pet accidents, spills, and musty smells. You can also use it to deodorize smelly shoes, gym bags, and other personal items.

15. Get Rid of Ants and Other Pests

Ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and other household pests don’t stand a chance against borax. Sprinkle some along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, or anywhere you’ve spotted the critters.

The borax dehydrates and ultimately kills the pests. For an extra-effective ant deterrent, mix equal parts borax and sugar in a shallow container.

The sugar attracts the ants, while the borax poisons them. Just be sure to keep this mixture away from kids and pets.

16. Clean Your Toilet

For a sparkling clean toilet bowl, sprinkle some borax under the rim and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing. The abrasive action of the borax will help lift stains and hard water deposits, leaving your toilet bowl fresh and spotless.

You can also make a paste with borax and water to scrub the exterior of the toilet and other bathroom surfaces. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly when you’re done.

17. Boost Your Dishwasher

Add a tablespoon of borax to your dishwasher’s detergent dispenser to get your dishes squeaky clean. The borax helps cut through grease and food particles, leaving glasses, plates, and utensils sparkling.

You can also use borax to clean and deodorize your dishwasher itself. Sprinkle some borax in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle to freshen it up.

18. Deter Mold and Mildew

Borax is a natural fungicide that can help prevent and eliminate mold and mildew growth. Mix a solution of 1 cup borax to 1 gallon of water, then use it to wipe down damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and under sinks.

The borax solution will get rid of existing mold and mildew, and also create an inhospitable environment to discourage future growth. For best results, reapply the solution every few months.

19. Preserve Flowers and Produce

Borax can come in handy for preserving fresh flowers and produce. Just sprinkle some borax over the item you want to preserve. Be sure to fully cover it.

The borax will absorb moisture and prevent rotting, which helps your flowers, fruits, or veggies to stay fresh for much longer. This is great for drying out bouquets, preserving herbs, and even keeping cut watermelon from getting soggy.

20. Clean Your Oven

Borax is an excellent oven cleaner, thanks to its abrasive yet non-toxic properties. Make a paste with borax and water, then use it to scrub away baked-on grease and grime from oven racks, walls, and the door glass.

Let the borax paste sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing to give it time to really penetrate and break down the mess. Rinse thoroughly when it’s done.

21. Prevent Rust

Borax can help protect metal surfaces from rust and corrosion. Sprinkle some borax onto damp areas, let it dry, then wipe it away. The borax will create a protective barrier that repels moisture and prevents oxidation.

This trick works great for tools, hardware, and even the metal components in your appliances. Just be sure to reapply the borax every few months for ongoing rust prevention.

22. Deter Pests in the Garden

Borax isn’t just for indoor pest control – it can also help keep critters out of your garden. Sprinkle borax around the base of plants, along garden paths, or anywhere you’ve spotted unwanted visitors like slugs, snails, or ants.

The sharp, abrasive crystals of borax will deter pests from crawling through it. It’s a natural, non-toxic way to protect your plants without harsh chemicals.

23. Make Homemade Slime

Remember the slime craze a few years back? Borax was a key ingredient in many of those DIY slime recipes. It helps bind the ingredients together to create that signature stretchy, gooey texture.

All you need is borax, white glue, and a few other simple supplies to make your own custom slime at home. It’s a fun activity for kids and a great way to put borax to use.

24. Clean Silver and Jewelry

Borax is a gentle abrasive that can help restore shine to tarnished silver and jewelry. Make a paste with borax and water, then use a soft cloth to gently rub it onto the affected areas.

Let the paste sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. The borax will help remove built-up grime and oxidation, bringing back the luster of your precious metals and gemstones.

25. Absorb Odors

Lastly, you can use borax to help absorb and eliminate odors around your home. Sprinkle some in your trash cans, diaper pails, or musty closets and let it sit for a while to soak up unpleasant smells.

You can also place bowls of borax in your refrigerator or freezer to keep food fresh and prevent odor absorption. Just be sure to replace the borax every few weeks.