How the naturally occurring mineral your granny used is making an eco-friendly comeback—and how to use it around your house
How the naturally occurring mineral your granny
used is making an eco-friendly comeback—and
how to use it around your house
Above: Elinor
McEwan and daughter Chelsea
A staple in many of our granny’s and great-grandmother’s cupboards, borax is
being rediscovered by today’s eco cleaners, thanks to its versatility as a low
toxicity chlorine- and phosphate-free cleaner.
Borax (aka borax pentahydrate, sodium borate, sodium tetraborate and
disodium tetraborate) is a naturally occurring mineral. It’s a mildly toxic,
white odourless powder that dissolves easily in water to create an alkaline,
antiseptic solution. Borax is not flammable, combustible nor explosive, but it
is very effective as an emulsifier in oil and water mixtures.
Borax is handy as a fire retardant, an anti-fungal compound and an
insecticide. It’s also a common ingredient in detergents and cosmetics. It can
be used around home as an effective general cleaner, spot stain remover,
disinfectant and deodoriser. Added to homemade liquid soap and moisturisers
it acts as a neutraliser and a thickener. Mixed in equal parts with baking
soda and water it can be used to neutralise pet odours (even the smell of
urine) in carpet. Worked into carpet with a broom and left for five days before
vacuuming it can even help to control fleas.
Simple homemade
scouring powder
- ¼ cup borax
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1½ cups hot water
Pour all three ingredients into a sealable
container and stir or shake until mixed. Ideal for
dealing to grubby sinks, toilets or bathtubs.
General wall and
floor cleaner
- ¼ cup borax
- 2 litres hot water
Mix together in a large bucket before using to
scrub and wash down surfaces.
Basic washing powder
- 5 cups soap flakes
- 7 cups of borax
- 3½ cups washing soda crystals (optional
water softener)
Shake together in a large plastic container. Use
half a cup at a time.
Borax carpet cleaner
Blot fresh spills (wine, coffee and juice) with a
clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much
liquid as possible. Don’t rub the carpet; gently
blot the area. Next, spray with cold water and
sprinkle with borax. Cover with a cold, wet cloth
and using the curved back of a
spoon, press the cloth
and borax into the
soiled area. Blot the
spot again with a clean
cloth. Continue until
the blotting cloth has
drawn all the spilled
liquid from the carpet.
Spray with cold water
to rinse and blot again
to lift any remaining
borax. Cover with
paper towels and
several books or other
heavy object to absorb
remaining liquid.
Remove and air dry
before vacuuming.
Borax spot carpet cleaner
- ¼ cup salt
- ¼ cup borax
- ¼ cup white vinegar
Mix all ingredients together and rub gently into
the stained carpet. Air dry before vacuuming.
