How To Clean Mold With Borax? Step by Step Instructions

If you want to know how to clear mold with borax, keep reading to find out the simplest technique. The secret to success here is to avoid washing the mixture after application.

Mold is a type of fungus that may flourish in any environment, and thrives much more quickly when the conditions are just ideal for it. This fungus can be found on any damp surface, both indoors and out.

Mold can ruin the aesthetics of your home while also posing health issues. That’s why when you find one growing somewhere in your home, you must remove it immediately.

A wide variety of products are available to help you achieve this goal. Natural cleanser Borax is exactly as powerful as bleach at destroying mold.

What Is Borax?

According to the beliefs surrounding this cleaning chemical, boric acid and borax are not the same. Because they are both derived from the same chemical molecule, some may interpret it in this way.

For decades, many people have used borax to clean their homes. In addition to removing stains and mold, it also deodorizes garbage cans that have become overly pungent.

Borax is a terrific natural cleaning agent that is safer than traditional cleaning products that employ possibly dangerous chemicals. In addition to being an excellent mold killer, Borax may be used for a variety of cleaning tasks.

Borax’s Long History

Borax was mined in Death Valley and hauled to the railroad spur by mule and horse teams in the Mojave Desert in the late 1800s. The moniker “20 Mule Team Borax” is derived from this fact. “Death Valley Days” was a popular television and radio show sponsored by the corporation from the 1930s until the 1970s. Even Ronald Reagan hosted it from 1964 to 1965. These decades saw the company’s name become a household one.

Where Do Most Brands Source Their Borax?

The largest borax mine in the world is located in Boron, California, which has a reputation for being one of the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable mines in the United States. 20 Mule Team, a well-known borax brand, gets its raw materials from this very mine. Most American-based borax products are likely to be sourced from the same mine, even if each brand’s source may vary.

How Dangerous is Borax?

Boric acid is not boric acid, despite the misreading of scholarly papers In the case of boric acid (sodium borate), the reaction of borax with sulfuric or hydrochloric acids might produce a potentially hazardous chemical.

Borax is classified as a health hazard category 1 by the Material Safety Data Sheet, along with baking soda and salt.

A slight irritant to the skin and mucous membranes can be caused by the extremely alkaline (9.3 pH) borox, which is unlike boric acid in that it is exceedingly alkaline (i.e. eyes, lungs, genitals, other innards). However, it is reported to have no bioaccumulative impact and has a difficult time penetrating the skin. There is no buildup of borax in the system from repeated topical usage.

Additionally, borax has been found to be safe for human consumption.

Ingesting large amounts is the only thing that could be dangerous. Studies on rats have found that moderate consumption induces gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and diarrhea, and extremely high amounts cause systemic poisoning. (Note: These same experiments on rats found that long-term intake of large doses disrupted the sexual reproductive system.)

Don’t eat it, rub it in your eyes, or use it in your bedtime rituals, in other words. It’s poison.

Removing Mold Using Borax

Step #1. Wear safety gear

Make sure you’re adequately protected before you begin the mold removal process. Because you’ll be using Borax to get rid of mold, you’ll want to be aware of the dangers it poses.

Wearing gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and a face mask are all recommended. When inhaled or used topically, borax can irritate the skin and eyes.

Prepare your workstation in a well-ventilated place as well, as per our advice. Doing it in your garage or keeping your windows open is an option if relocation isn’t an option.

Step #2. Inspect the affected area

The next stage is to carry out an inspection of the affected region that has been identified. When you find a mold growth, be sure to look for the source of the water.

Please find a technique to stop the source after you’ve discovered it so that there will be no future mold growth. Then, take your time to remove any loose material from the area.

Use a vacuum or a soft brush to clean the area. Those who live in a shared housing unit may want to read this page to learn more about the causes of mold in apartments, which can be found here.

Step #3. Make borax mixture

You’re all set to prepare a borax solution now that you’ve gathered your protective gear. Half a cup of borax and two quarts of boiling water make a borax paint.

Pour boiling water over the powdered Borax in a saucepan, and keep stirring as you do so. Using hot water will guarantee that the borax dissolves thoroughly.

Use a water-borax combination with a one-to-one ratio of borax to water. Next, transfer it to a spray bottle.

Step #4. Application

Let the Borax paint solution cool for a few minutes before applying the brush. Go to the mold-infested region and ready your tools when the solution’s temperature is comfortable.

Has your air duct system been inspected for signs of mold? Using this guide, you’ll be able to identify the telltale signs of mold in your air ducts.

Apply the Borax paint to the affected area with care, using a brush. Keep the solution on the entire surface.

Step #5. Wait for a few minutes

Wait a few minutes after applying the Borax paint to allow the solution to set in. At first application, the solution should appear foggy white, but it should progressively clear up.

Remove the mold by wiping the surface with a sponge or cloth. After use, dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner.

Avoid washing the affected area. Mold will be prevented in the future as a result of the remedy.

Is borax safe to use?

Whether or not Borax is safe to use is a hot topic of controversy. One thing is for certain, though: do not attempt to swallow it!

If you try to do so, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Ingesting excessive amounts of borax may cause shock or kidney damage if consumed in big quantities.

Natural cleaning agents like Borax don’t necessarily mean they are safe to use. Borax, despite its noncarcinogenic classification, can nonetheless have negative effects on the digestive system, kidneys, shock, and other organs.

To avoid any of the above, it’s important to use caution when using Borax.

Does Borax Kill Mold?

Furthermore, there’s more. Mold can be killed with the use of borax. Natural anti-fungal capabilities are the primary reason it is being discussed on MoldBlogger. When it comes to fungi, germs, and insects, Borax is a tough opponent.

What Are the Advantages to Using Borax in DIY Cleaning Products?

• When it comes to eradicating mold, borax is one of the best options.
• Non-toxic and free of gaseous emissions, borax is a much safer alternative to commercial “mold-removing” treatments.
• Borax is a cost-effective all-purpose cleaning and detergent that can also be used to kill insects.
• Borax, unlike bleach, is not detrimental to the environment, unlike other products.
• Except for sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, borax can be safely combined with other compounds.

What is a No-Fuss Method for Removing Mold With Borax?

1. 1. Mix water and borax. It is recommended to use one cup of borax for every gallon of water, or a 1:16 ratio. Use hot water to ensure full dissolution of the borax.*
   2. Apply the disinfectant to the moldy area. Allow it to rest for a while.
   3. Using a towel, disposable sponge, or scrub brush, clean the affected area.
   4. Rinsing is not necessary unless the area is unappealing. The borax will keep the mold at bay and prevent the spread of new spores.

*If you’d like, you can pour the borax and water solution into a spray bottle instead. If you don’t want to add too much moisture to porous materials like dry wall or unfinished wood, you can make a paste by reducing the amount of water in the mixture.

Where to Buy Borax Powder

Borax is a fantastic product that can be used in a plethora of household applications. The 20 Mule Team Borax brand has long been used for laundry, cleaning, and even fighting ants.. Although it has been around for a long time, finding it in stores might be difficult.

Here Are Some Places You Can Usually Find Borax

• Laundry aisles in supermarkets and big-box retailers like Wal-Mart are commonly found.
• Stores of hardware
• Groceries from around the world
• Stores that sell agricultural supplies
• Health food retailers
• Stores that sell supplies for swimming pools

If you can’t find Borax in your area, you can always order it from Amazon.com. They offer it in both small and large quantities.

“20 Mule Team” is the most common brand of borax you’ll encounter. This is packaged in a white box with red and green text. For a better idea of what’s inside the box, check out Amazon.com’s photo gallery first.

If you can’t find it on the shelf, don’t give up. You’ll have to sift through a lot of detergents and laundry items to find the borax in the middle of the shelf. More and more individuals are turning to natural cleaners and producing their own, so they’re easier to come by.

16 Ways to Use Borax, the Champ of All-Natural Budget Cleaning

1. Make an all-purpose cleaning spray

This all-purpose spray is made by combining boiling water with 2 teaspoons of borax, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and four tablespoons of vinegar. You can use it to clean everything from counters to appliances to windows.

2. Clean your tile floors

Warm water and 2 tablespoons of borax make a powerful cleaning solution. This mop is ideal for cleaning tile and vinyl floors.

3. Freshen the garbage disposal

Borax should be added to the drain and let to sit for 15 minutes before flushing. Hot water and the garbage disposal should be turned on and run for around 1-2 minutes.

4. Get rid of bug infestations

Add white sugar to borax and then sprinkle it on any ant colonies you find in your home. (If you have children or pets, use caution—borax should never be consumed.) Consumption of the sugar by ants will result in the ants’ death.

5. Clean the dishwasher

Fill the dispenser with your preferred detergent and run the dishwasher as usual after adding 14 cup of borax to the bottom of the machine. As a bonus, this will also keep the equipment clean and shiny.

6. Make a stain-removing cleaning paste

Mix 1 cup of borax with 14 cup of lemon juice to make a paste. Drains and counters can be cleaned with this method.

7. Prevent mildew buildup

Add 1 cup of borax to 1 gallon of warm water and mix thoroughly. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and use it to remove mildew stains from bathroom tiles. Let it sit for a half-hour before wiping it away. Remove with a wet rag. Spray the solution on tile and allow it to dry to avoid mildew buildup.

8. Kill weeds

Add 1 cup of borax and 2 gallons of water to a large container. Spray the weeds, avoiding any plants you don’t wish to kill, using the solution in a spray bottle.

9. Clean laundry

Mix 2 cups of boiling water with 1 spoonful of borax in a reusable container. Add 12 cup of this mixture to the wash, add detergent as usual, and run the machine to thoroughly clean and retain color.

10. Dry and preserve cut flowers

In an airtight container, combine 1 cup borax with 2 cups cornmeal. Spread a thin layer of the mixture on the bottom of a different container. Take fresh flowers and place them in an upright position in a container. Add more of the borax mixture to the container so that the flower buds are completely covered. Remove the dried flowers from the mixture and discard after two weeks in a warm, dry area.

11. Freshen smelly shoes

Spray a liter of warm water with 2 tablespoons of borax. To get the best results, shake well. Spray the inside of your shoes with a spray bottle, then let them to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. After cleaning and rinsing your shoes, allow them to air dry.

12. Polish chrome bathroom fixtures

Remove mineral deposits and filth from bathroom fixtures by sprinkling borax on them and wiping them down with a moist rag.

13. Unclog the drain

Run warm water after pouring 12 cup of borax and 2 cups of boiling water down the drain for 15 minutes to remove any debris.

14. Remove rust stains

Make a paste out of borax, water, and lemon juice. Apply the paste to the rusted areas and clean with a moist rag after 15 minutes.

15. Deodorize carpets

Essential oil can be added to the mixture after the borax and baking soda have been combined. After 15 to 20 minutes of letting the mixture sit, vacuum it up.

16. Clean the toilet

Let 1 cup of borax remain overnight in the toilet bowl. After brushing, use the toilet to finish cleaning.

Conclusion

You need to know how to clear mold with borax if you notice it growing in order to prevent any harm to your health or your home. Wearing gloves or a face mask can help keep you safe when working with chemicals.

Preparation is just as important as cleaning the mold, so don’t skip this step. The borax combination will be more effective and mold growth will be prevented if this is done.