You may have heard of borax, a product that has many uses around your home. But, do you know where to get it and how to use it? I admit that I was in the dark for a long time about this product that I kept hearing so much about. But I did some research, and I would like to share it with you.
First of all, what is borax? It is a naturally occurring mineral compound called sodium borate.
Where can you get borax? You can find borax in pretty much any grocery store, although it is one of those products that is generally hidden away. There isn’t a lot of advertising about it, and the manufacturers don’t pay the stores for premium shelf space. But, like any good product, it has stood the test of time and is still available.
Borax comes in powdered form, and you can usually find it under the name of Twenty Mule Team. Look for it in the cleaner or laundry aisles.
The classic use for borax is as a powdered cleaner. You can use it in your bathtub and shower, for example, to remove soap scum and mineral buildup. Just apply it as you would any other powdered cleaner, such as Bon Ami or Comet. Don’t apply it to plastic or vinyl surfaces, such as all-in-one showers or Bathfitter-type products, or it may scratch the surfaces.
Borax has long been used as a laundry booster because of its water softening properties. Parents of young children may benefit from knowing that it can remove urine odor from mattresses and bedding.
Borax can also be used as a bug killer, killing both ants and roaches. Spreading a line of borax around the outside of your house can deter insects from crossing over into your home.
Would you like to see more information about the many uses for borax? I bet you didn’t know that you can use it in crafts!
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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