Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid.

Sodium tetraborate is not toxic. Sodium borate is a soft white crystal that dissolves easily in water. If exposed to dry air, it loses its hydration and becomes sodium tetraborate pentahydrate.

What is borax made of?

Sodium borate is different from its more caustic parent, but are there any cautions? Borax is extremely alkaline, which makes it irritating when used undiluted.

In any form: borax should not be used as an eyewash, skin scrub nor should you drink it.

Uses for Borax

Used as an aid to your carpet cleaning machine. Just add 1/2 cup of borax sodium tetraborate per gallon of water. Clean mold and mildew. Mix one cup of borax with one quart of hot water.

Pour into a spray bottle. Spray on mold and mildew until it is saturated. Wait several hours, then rinse thoroughly.

Clean the floor. Put one-fourth cup of borax and one-half cup of vinegar into a bucket. Fill it up with hot water.Add a small amount of dish soap. Use the solution to mop your floors.

Use it as an all-purpose cleaner. This is one of the most common borax uses. Mix two tablespoons of borax with two cups of water. Mix the solution in a spray bottle, and you have your very own all-purpose cleaner.

Borax removes rust. Mix borax with warm water and lemon juice to create a paste. Then, apply to the area with rust.

It is used in cleaning outdoor furniture. Combine borax with warm water and dish soap. Place the solution in a spray bottle then start cleaning.

Borax can be used to combat bugs including ants, fleas, cockroaches, and other pests. Just sprinkle equal parts of borax and sugar to the area where you think these ants and fleas are present.

Kill weeds: sprinkle borax on unwanted weeds and in sidewalk cracks. Not watering is necessary. Be sure you do not get any in your garden. It will kill any plant it finds!