Self Sufficiency
15 Borax Uses For Every Household

Did you know there are more than a handful of borax uses? It’s inexpensive and can do wonders for so many things in your home!
Borax Uses Every Homesteader Should Know About
It tackles almost any household task…anything from cleaning to pest deterrent! You can find it on the laundry detergent aisle at your local supermarket.
In this article, I’ll cover it’s many uses such as:
- Rust Remover
- Swimming Pool Maintenance
- DIY Febreeze Spray
- Unclog a Drain
- Stop Mold In Its Tracks
- Cleans Your Garbage Disposal
- Make Clothing Flame Retardant
- Homemade Dish Soap
- DIY Floor Cleaner
- Remove Carpet Stains
- Remove Stains From Clothes
- Weed Killer
- Ant Deterrent
- Mice Deterrent
- Flea Deterrent
Let’s get started!
Borax Uses For Every Household
1. Rust Remover
Need a product that’ll remove rust with ease? Borax to the rescue!
Sprinkle a little Borax and a little lemon juice onto a damp sponge and apply to the rusted area, leave on for 3 minutes, then wipe off with a clean cloth.
2. Swimming Pool Maintenance
Borax will raise the pH levels in your pool. To raise the pH levels just add ½ cup per 10,000 gallons of water.
3. DIY Febreeze Spray
Febreeze is one of my favorite items around the house! It keeps everything smelling so fresh and clean. But, let’s face it…it’s a little pricy.
You can make your own Febreeze spray using borax and it’s safe for things such as bedding, sofas, rugs, and any other item you would spray with name brand Febreeze.
Mix ½ cup of Borax with a pint of water into a spray bottle. Give it a little shake and you’re all set!
4. Unclog a Drain
To unclog a drain, pour ½ cup of borax into the drain, then follow immediately with 2 cups of boiling water. Wait for about 20 minutes then turn on the faucet and leave running for about 3-5 minutes. This will help flush the clog completely. One great plumbing tip, huh?
5. Stop Mold In Its Tracks
Mold is dangerous to your health and can make you extremely sick. To stop mold in its tracks, make a paste out of Borax and water. Apply this paste directly on the mold and let dry. It will flake up as it dries so make sure to sweep (not vacuum) up the excess. Once the dried paste is removed, rinse with the spot with warm water.
6. Cleans Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal cleaning is a cinch with Borax! All you have to do is add 3 tablespoons of Borax to the garbage disposal, let the Borax sit for about an hour, and then pour warm water down the disposal and you’re all set!
7. Make Clothing Flame Retardant
This use for Borax is pretty impressive! You can actually make clothes fire retardant using Borax and boric acid!
Combine 1 cup of Borax , ½ cup of boric acid, and 1 gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, after the clothes have been washed and dried, spritz the clothing with this mixture to make them fire retardant. You will need to spritz the clothing after every wash and dry cycle.
8. Homemade Dish Soap
This simple DIY dish soap is a great way to save money! Combine 1 tablespoon of finely grated soap, 2 cups of boiling water, and 1 tablespoon of Borax. Allow to cool completely before use.
9. DIY Floor Cleaner
This DIY floor cleaner will leave your kitchen and bathroom floors sparkling!
Combine ¼ cup of Borax, ½ cup of vinegar, and 1 squirt of liquid dish soap into a bucket and fill with warm water. Mop floors as usual.
10. Remove Carpet Stains
Borax is an excellent stain remover for carpets!
Combine ½ cup of Borax and 2 cups of warm water. Wet a sponge with this mixture and dab onto the carpet stain and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes. Next, pat dry the area with a dry cloth, then vacuum the area.
11. Remove Stains From Clothes
Borax also is an excellent stain remover for clothes!
Combine 1 tablespoon of Borax and 2 cups of warm water. Add this mixture over the stain and leave on stain for 20-30 minutes. Next, scrub the stain and then toss into the washing machine.
12. Weed Killer
Borax is a great weed killer and it’s so easy! All you have to do is sprinkle a little on top of the weed and that’s it!
13. Ant Deterrent
Borax is great for getting rid of ants! Combine equal parts Borax and sugar and sprinkle this mixture on any known ant path. You will an ant free home in no time!
Please make sure that it is out reach from pets and small children.
14. Mice Deterrent
Apparently, mice do not like the feel of borax on their feet. Sprinkle Borax in any of their known paths and they will not return!
15. Flea Deterrent
Spread Borax in places such as your carpet, open cracks in baseboards, or any opening where they can lay eggs. You can sprinkle it on pet bedding but, keep the bedding away from your pets until the bedding has been thoroughly vacuumed.
Watch this video by Clean My Space on Borax uses in cleaning:
Do you have other Borax uses in your household? Share with us your favorite Borax use in the comments below.
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NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

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The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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