This week at Clean and Green we have been testing a product called Borax. We have been trying to get hold of this product for a number of weeks now, but have found it hard to find. This product was quite common a number of years ago but now seems to be out of favour. Locally, in the chemists we found no sign of the product. A keen user of natural cleaning products then informed us that Boots the chemist in Derry stocked boxes of Borax, so off we went into town. There we spoke to the chemist on duty who said that they no longer stocked it. After a bit of persistence, the chemist went to a drawer behind the counter, and found a small 100gram box (which cost us 64p). We were in business!
BORAX
Borax is found naturally in dry regions where water has evaporated to form dry lakes, very similar to the salt planes of America. The product itself was discovered some 4000 years ago and used in it’s natural state it is environmentally safe. It is usually seen as a white powder. This product claims to have a multitude of uses. It is a natural laundry booster, being used in the pre- wash soak. It is also a multipurpose cleaner, fungicide, preservative, insecticide, herbicide, disinfectant and desiccant. The powder can be mixed safely with other cleaners as well.
On the down side Borax, like any other cleaning product can be harmful if ingested. Just 15-20 grams could be fatal. Do Not use on the body as one of the reasons this product is such an effective cleaner is that it converts water molecules into hydrogen peroxide, more commonly known as bleach. So care is needed in the storage and use of this product. Don’t use around food and rinse off surfaces and clothing well.
Here are some of the results from our tests.
Mildew: Mix the powder into a paste using white vinegar. Rub well onto the mildew, leave for a minute or two and rinse off.
Verdict: We tested this on the tiles on the shower wall and it was very effective, as good as bleach.
Homemade scouring powder: Mix equal amounts of baking soda, Borax and salt. If you do keep any for further use, make sure that you label the container well.
We tackled the seal around the sink in the kitchen that is always difficult to keep clean.
Verdict: The muck and grime came off without much rubbing; the mixture is as effective as any bleach-based scourers that are on the market. If you were cleaning a surface that is prone to scratching, leave out the salt.
Multipurpose cleaner: 1 tsp of Borax, ½ tsp washing soda, 2tsp of vinegar or lemon juice, ½ tsp of liquid soap. Mix all these together with 2 cups of very hot water and put in a spray bottle. (As yet we haven’t tried this, or the next one, but they sounds good.)
Basic laundry detergent: Mix 1 cup of soap flakes with ½ cup of washing soda and ½ cup of Borax. If you find this powder difficult to get into the machine then mix in 2 tablespoons of glycerine and 2 cups of warm water, this can be easily poured into the machine.
We will test these shortly and let you know the results.
Although we endeavour to test all the ideas in this article, we ask you to practice with caution. Test on a small area first.
BORAX
Borax is found naturally in dry regions where water has evaporated to form dry lakes, very similar to the salt planes of America. The product itself was discovered some 4000 years ago and used in it’s natural state it is environmentally safe. It is usually seen as a white powder. This product claims to have a multitude of uses. It is a natural laundry booster, being used in the pre- wash soak. It is also a multipurpose cleaner, fungicide, preservative, insecticide, herbicide, disinfectant and desiccant. The powder can be mixed safely with other cleaners as well.
On the down side Borax, like any other cleaning product can be harmful if ingested. Just 15-20 grams could be fatal. Do Not use on the body as one of the reasons this product is such an effective cleaner is that it converts water molecules into hydrogen peroxide, more commonly known as bleach. So care is needed in the storage and use of this product. Don’t use around food and rinse off surfaces and clothing well.
Here are some of the results from our tests.
Mildew: Mix the powder into a paste using white vinegar. Rub well onto the mildew, leave for a minute or two and rinse off.
Verdict: We tested this on the tiles on the shower wall and it was very effective, as good as bleach.
Homemade scouring powder: Mix equal amounts of baking soda, Borax and salt. If you do keep any for further use, make sure that you label the container well.
We tackled the seal around the sink in the kitchen that is always difficult to keep clean.
Verdict: The muck and grime came off without much rubbing; the mixture is as effective as any bleach-based scourers that are on the market. If you were cleaning a surface that is prone to scratching, leave out the salt.
Multipurpose cleaner: 1 tsp of Borax, ½ tsp washing soda, 2tsp of vinegar or lemon juice, ½ tsp of liquid soap. Mix all these together with 2 cups of very hot water and put in a spray bottle. (As yet we haven’t tried this, or the next one, but they sounds good.)
Basic laundry detergent: Mix 1 cup of soap flakes with ½ cup of washing soda and ½ cup of Borax. If you find this powder difficult to get into the machine then mix in 2 tablespoons of glycerine and 2 cups of warm water, this can be easily poured into the machine.
We will test these shortly and let you know the results.
Although we endeavour to test all the ideas in this article, we ask you to practice with caution. Test on a small area first.
Please keep all types of cleaning products well away from children.
Household.
Household.
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