Uses of Boric Acid Around The Home

What are the different uses of boric acid around the home?

1. Pest control
2. Laundry cleaning agent
3. Bathroom and kitchen cleaner

Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is a colorless or white powder. It is made from a natural chemical compound and is composed of boron, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Boric acid is very similar to another well-known product: Borax. They are two different formulations of the same compound. And, like Borax, boric acid is a common household product.

There are many uses of boric acid around the home, though they might not be familiar to you. To help you get the most out of this product, read on! We covered everything you can use this product for.

Pest control

One of the most common uses of boric acid is as a DIY pest control solution. Though it is not as strong as other chemicals used for this purpose, it is a natural and safer means of getting rid of household pests. This is a great alternative if you want to avoid using harsh chemicals.

While there are boric acid tablets you can buy, you can also get your boric acid from our store here at Oktakem Trading and make your own. This solution can be used both indoors and outdoors, and in places like your home or store. 

If you have an ant, cockroach, or rodent problem, mix boric acid and sugar in water, in a 1:10 ratio. Sprinkle this solution where you have seen these pests coming and going, and they will either kill or repel them. 

It’s great for mosquito and house fly infestations, too — especially during the rainy season! Dissolve boric acid in warm water to create your own killer spray, which you can spray around your lawn to take care of any nests or eggs. If the problem seems to be originating from your pool, we recommend using this natural pesticide in tandem with chlorine tablets or granules — we have a different guide on how to keep mosquitoes away from your pool here!

Boric acid can also be used to get rid of a flea or dust mite problem. Sprinkle boric acid in places where they are common, such as under your furniture, behind bookcases or shelves, in upholstery, and so on. 

That said, if you have small children or pets at home, then you should place this boric acid solution only in places where they cannot reach it.

Laundry cleaning agent

Boric acid can also be used as a cleaning agent for your laundry days! This is because they are an excellent stain-removing, disinfectant, deodorizer, anti-fungal, and mold-killer. 

If you want to boost the cleaning power of your laundry detergent, just add some boric acid to each load you have in the washing machine. We recommend pouring about a tablespoon (around 15 grams) of boric acid into your wash. Doing this will help kill any undesirables or contaminants on your clothes. 

If you do decide to use boric acid with your laundry, make sure to only add it in with your laundry detergent. This is safer than other stages of your washing cycle, as this chemical doesn’t mix well with fabric softeners. We recommend directly adding it to your washer drum before loading in your dirty laundry.

Bathroom and kitchen cleaner

Boric acid doesn’t just clean your clothes — it can also be used to clean your sink, floors, bathroom, and windows!

To clean your bathroom, put half a cup of boric acid in your toilet bowl, and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will help remove any stubborn water stains and odors in your toilet. 

You can do the same for your sinks. After placing about a ¼ cup boric acid on the stained area and scrubbing thoroughly, pour 1 cup of vinegar on top. Let this solution sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing over it again once. Then, rinse thoroughly, and voila, the stains are gone! 

It can also be used to deodorize your fridge — just sprinkle a thin layer of boric acid on the trays and containers in your fridge, and leave it for 15 minutes. Then, thoroughly wipe the powder away, and wipe the surfaces clean. 

A mix of water, hydrogen peroxide, and some boric acid makes a very effective mold killer. Spray this on any spots of mold, and scrub thoroughly. Make sure to spray the area down and keep the mold wet to avoid its spores going airborne while you’re doing this! 

How To Handle Boric Acid Safely 

Boric acid can be used for treating pest infestations, doing the laundry, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. 

However, it’s also important to learn how to handle boric acid safely. 

When boric acid is ingested, inhaled, or exposed to the skin and eyes, boric acid can cause irritation, coughing, nosebleeds, diarrhea, or vomiting. To ensure you do not inhale, ingest, or touch it, wear the following:

• Gloves
• Mask
• Goggles 
• Long-Sleeved Shirt

Seek medical attention immediately if you accidentally ingest boric acid.

Key Takeaway

As you can see, there are many uses of boric acid around your home. It’s a great multi-purpose household product, especially if you’re concerned about a pest problem, or if you want some extra help in keeping your clothes and home clean. 

Interested in trying any of these uses out for yourself? Click here to order some boric acid online from the top chemical supplier in the Philippines: Oktakem! You may also purchase swimming pool chemicals and other raw materials from our online store. You may also check out our official Shopee page or Lazada page.