Borax acts as a buffer and raises the pH of the water to a slightly basic solution, right around a pH of 8. Don't use Borax at the same time as vinegar or you'll just create a nice little acid-base reaction and make salt.
Disinfectant. Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant and deodorizing properties. Mix a 1/2 cup of Borax into 1 gallon of hot water or undiluted vinegar and clean with this solution.
Boric Acid is effective to alleviate ear infection and irritation. You can mix it with vinegar and distilled water to maximize its effects as an ear drop. It grants you a quick-fix to get rid of any infection-causing bacteria. It is used to Clean Wounds.
Don't mix it with acids or store it with acids. I've been using it for a few weeks now and it's really very good indeed. It's quite safe if used correctly, it's effective and it's fairly cheap.
Start a normal cycle. Let the washing machine run for one minute to combine the vinegar and Borax. When you mix borax and vinegar, they create a solution that helps to remove any mold or mildew that may be developing. Borax is also a natural deodorizer.
Borax is a common household cleaner with a pH between 9 and 10. Its alkalinity makes it a great cleaning product for mold and mildew removal without the risks of bleach.
While the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies borax as being noncarcinogenic, it does pose some risks, including: skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. digestive problems. infertility.
Since borax is very alkaline, it can irritate the skin in its undiluted form. Borax is prohibited in food products. Ingesting as little as five grams can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and large amounts can send your body into shock or result in kidney failure.
Boric acid kills insects when they eat it. It works by messing with their stomachs and affecting their nervous system. Borax is also able to damage the outside of the insects.
Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar
Combining them creates peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Borax is significantly more alkaline than baking soda. Borax has a pH of 9.5 vs. 8 for baking soda. That might make it more effective in certain situations, but it also makes it a harsher cleaning agent.
Nicholls said the combination of Borax and alcohol can be dangerous, as with any chemical. He said mixing the two produced a flame, which got out of hand. Boric acid is frequently used as cleaning solution and Nicholls said you never want to get it on your skin.
Make homemade insecticide—Mix together borax and sugar in equal parts. You'll want to avoid inhaling the mixture, so wear a face mask at all times. Apply the powder along baseboards, in cracks, and under sinks.
Borax and Peroxide Treatment
Using a mixture of borax and hydrogen peroxide is a home remedy for treating mange in animals that is followed worldwide. However, mites that burrow deep into the skin are not cleansed with a simple borax treatment.
Boric acid is low in toxicity if eaten or if it contacts skin. However, in the form of borax, it can be corrosive to the eye. Borax can also be irritating to the skin. People who have eaten boric acid have had nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea.
Dr. Robin Jacobson, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Medical Center, warns families to stay away from the white powder altogether. "Borax can cause burns, especially when you touch it multiple times," she says. "When you're mixing it up, Borax can get in the air and irritate your airways.
However, it's worth noting that borax can be lethal when ingested. Toxic levels for children are 5-6 grams—or roughly a half teaspoon; for adults, the toxic dose is 10-25 grams.
A roach that steps in borax won't die instantly. Instead, they'll go back to their hiding place before eating the borax dust their legs picked up. You might not see the dead bugs lying around out in the open but you should notice a drop in their numbers in a week or two.
Borax health risks
Borax can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you ingest it by itself, and large amounts can lead to shock and kidney failure. It's banned in U.S. food products. It also can irritate your skin and eyes, and it can hurt your nose, throat, and lungs if you breathe it in.
Instead of sprinkling borax in the bottom of your trash can, try baking soda or used (or fresh) coffee grinds, which all work wonders. You can also use baking soda and water to clean your trash can. Throw in some vinegar for extra odor-fighting action.
While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.
It's often used as a natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals when it comes to killing household mold. Cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is the best type for killing mold.