Borax, which is also referred to as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate and disodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Besides its best-known use as a laundry aid, borax has many other applications, including medicine, cosmetics, ceramics and building materials. Borates are important in the glass industry as well as in the making of fire retardants and agricultural chemicals.
Laundry Uses
Borax has numerous applications in the laundry room, including as a stain treatment, deodorizer, color-safe bleach and water softener. Borax is safe enough to use on baby clothes and delicate fabrics, and works in both standard and high efficiency washing machines.
Household Uses
Borax serves as a more gentle alternative to caustic drain cleaners when clearing slow-draining pipes, according to the Reader's Digest. After pouring 1/2 cup borax through a funnel into the drain, slowly add 2 cups of boiling water. Wait 15 minutes, then flush the drain with more hot water. Repeat the process if necessary. You can also use borax as a hairbrush and comb cleaner, suggests the Wacky Uses website. Soak them in a sink full of warm water to which you add 1/4 cup borax and a tbsp. of dishwashing liquid, then rinse clean.
Crafts
Borax can transform fresh flowers into preserved flowers appropriate for dried floral arrangements. Lay flowers to dry in a large flat container in which you have mixed together 2 cups of cornmeal and 1 cup of borax. Lightly sprinkle more of the cornmeal/borax mix over the top of the flowers. Leave the container covered for seven to 10 days, after which you can remove any remaining powder with a soft brush.
People who make homemade candles can use borax to prevent excessive ash and smoke problems with twine wicks by soaking the twine in a mixture of 3 tbsp. of borax and 1 tbsp. of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water for 24 hours. Allow the twine to dry completely before using it to make candles.
Outdoor Uses
When used according to directions, borax acts as a herbicide useful on Glechoma hederacea, or creeping charlie, an invasive perennial lawn weed, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. Dissolve 10 oz. of borax in 1/2 cup warm water, then dilute the mixture with 2 1/2 gallons of water to create enough solution to treat 1,000 square feet. Apply as a spray to creeping charlie in lawn areas only -- not in the garden -- and use only once each year for two years, otherwise it may become toxic to the grass.
You can also sprinkle borax into crevices to prevent weeds growing in cracks in your sidewalk or driveway. Keep ants from entering your home by applying borax around the foundation. Be careful to avoid getting borax on any desirable lawn or garden plants.
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