Borax and Baking Soda are two of the most useful all-natural cleaning products available. They’re both effective, cheap, and safe to use. However, the two are quite different chemically and should be used with caution when combined.
Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is a white, odorless powder with antifungal and antibacterial properties. It’s found worldwide and has a multitude of uses, including as a natural leavener in baking, where it reacts with an acid (like vinegar) to produce carbon dioxide gas that makes dough rise. It’s also an effective fungicide, insect repellent, and is helpful in killing weeds.
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Baking soda, on the other hand, is sodium bicarbonate. It has a long history of use and is famous for its role as a leavening agent in baking, where it creates carbon dioxide gas to make cakes and cookies fluffy and light. It’s also a powerful deodorizer and is effective in combatting mold and mildew.
You can combine borax and baking soda to make an easy, effective homemade scrubbing powder for greasy dishes or dirty kitchen surfaces. The baking soda acts as a gentle scrub without scratching and the borate helps break down tough grease and grime. It’s also great for removing rust stains from laundry or furniture.
Another excellent use for a borax and baking soda mixture is to repel fleas. Sprinkle the powder on your pet’s bedding and other areas where they spend most of their time. The borax will help kill the fleas by disrupting their digestive system, while the baking soda dehydrates them and prevents them from laying eggs.
