Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Borax, Old-fashioned and Effective

Borax is a natural mineral mined in North and South America. In the United States, the largest veins are found in Death Valley, California. The term “20 Mule Team Borax” refers to the large team required to move the borax for processing. Borax has many uses and has been used in households since the 1800s.

Borax is a natural laundry booster. Add a ½ cup to each load to add punch to your detergent. Don’t worry- it’s color safe! Make a paste with borax and hot water to spread on laundry stains. Let sit for a bit, then launder as usual. Wash delicates in ¼ cup borax and 1 tablespoon dish detergent. This will deodorize and clean your items!

Borax is also useful as a cleaner in other places around the house. Remove carpet stains by wetting the stain and sprinkling it with borax. Brush in and let dry, then vacuum once dry. Borax can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner in place of vinegar (for those who dislike the smell). Dissolve two tablespoons borax in two cups hot water, place in a spray bottle. This makes a great wall and floor cleaner. Mix 1/3 cup borax, one tablespoon ammonia, and one teaspoon dish detergent in one gallon hot water. Scrub toilets with one cup borax, then flush. Always use very hot water to ensure the borax dissolves. To clean the garbage disposal, add three tablespoons of borax and let sit for 15 minutes. Then, turn on the disposal and run cold water. 

Borax also makes an excellent, safe, and natural ant killer. I’ve noticed a few around my house lately, so I’ll be using this tried and true method again. Mix three tablespoons borax with ½ cup sugar and add enough hot water to make a syrupy solution. Place in shallow dishes and leave around where you see ants. I use deli container lids, so I can just throw them away afterwards. The sugar attracts the ants and the borax kills them. The ones that don’t get stuck and die right away take the borax back to the nest, where it kills the rest.

KATHY WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO