Behold the Power of Borax!

Being the eco-stepper that I am, I am always looking for all natural, non-toxic and inexpensive ways to clean my house, do laundry, freshen the air and all that goes with housework.  Since I have tried Borax in my homemade laundry soap and dishwasher powder, I am learning that it's actually quite the handy product to have on hand.  Wikipedia explains the many uses of Borax, far beyond those most would consider for every day household chores.  To pare it down a bit, here are some interesting uses for Borax:

As submitted by Kira at TipHero.com: 

Borax, or "the miracle mineral," has long been hailed as a natural solution for just about everything in the home. This substance is naturally occurring, eco-friendly and is mostly used as a cleaning agent. Its uses, however, are many and varied.

Make sure to heed this safety warning when using Borax:

Just because borax is natural, that doesn't mean it's harmless. You should always use gloves when handling it and keep it out of reach of children and pets. While safe in the diluted solutions, borax could be very harmful to children and pets if ingested.

Check out some of the uses you can put Borax to, courtesy of DIY Life:

• Remove rust by mixing 1 cup of borax with 2 cups of warm water and a tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Clean a soiled mattress by mixing together a cup of borax and 2 cups of warm water and applying the paste directly to the affected area. Sprinkle damp area with a bit more borax and rub thoroughly. Vacuum area, then finish it off with a vinegar and water solution. Let this dry and repeat if necessary.
• Make an all-purpose cleaner using 2 tablespoons of borax mixed with 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.
• Make your own dishwasher detergent by mixing 1 tablespoon borax and 1 tablespoon baking soda.

Check out how you can use Borax for pest control, deodorizing and more over at 25 Household Uses for Borax.

For more ideas on how to save money and live greener, check out TipHero.com!