Last Reviewed:March 22, 2023 by Gabrielle Marks
Using borax to clean carpets is a natural alternative to commercial carpet cleaning solutions. Borax, a boron compound, is a natural element used as a household cleaner throughout the 20th century. Borax can be used to rid carpets of odors, dirt, stains, and flea infestations.
Why Borax Is the Better Carpet Cleaning Alternative
Did you know that the US government only requires that companies place “chemicals of known concern” on their labels? Did you know that the government does not test chemicals added to everyday cleaning products and that the companies are not required to test them either? According to Sloan Barnett, author of Green Goes with Everything, companies are only required to test chemicals in cleaners if the EPA can show that a product poses a health risk . . . and carpet cleaners are no exception. The fact is that commercial carpet cleaners contain many toxic chemicals, including naphthalene, which is a carcinogen. Naphthalene can produce toxic fumes that can cause liver and kidney damage and are especially dangerous to children. ((Barnett, Sloan. “The Dirty Truth About Cleaning Products.” Today))
Borax Isn’t Without Its Health Risks
Compared to commercial carpet cleaning products that contain toxic ingredients, borax is a safer alternative, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t handle it with care. Borax can be corrosive to the eyes and a skin irritant. ((“Boric Acid.” National Pesticide Information Center.)) If swallowed, it can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It can lead to shock and kidney failure in large quantities, so it must be treated like any cleaner. Handle it with care and keep it away from children and pets. ((“What is Borax (Sodium Tetraborate).” WebMD))
Borax Carpet Cleaner Recipes
There are several ways borax can be used on a carpet. It can be used as a carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and carpet spot/stain remover. Here are samples of each method:
General Carpet Cleaner/Deodorizer
Sam Umscheid, author of An A to Z Resource Guide of Safe Alternatives to Household Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies, shared this borax recipe for carpet cleaning and neutralizing odors.
- Combine 1 cup of borax with 2 cups of cornmeal. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet and let sit for one hour. Vacuum thoroughly. ((Umscheid, Sam. “An A to Z Resource Guide of Safe Alternatives to Household Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies.” Children’s Mercy Hospital. ))
Carpet Stain Remover
The folks from the ‘Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer’ project at Vassar College shared this recipe for the use of borax as a carpet stain remover.
- Make a paste using ¼ cup salt, ¼ cup borax, and ¼ cup vinegar. Rub the paste onto the stain and let sit for a few hours. Vacuum. ((“Cleaning Products.” Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer. Vassar College))
Borax for Fleas in the Carpet
According to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Household Solutions, borax is a natural flea killer and can be used to rid fleas from your carpet.
- Place borax in a flour sifter for easier dispersement, then let it sit. Follow up with a thorough vacuuming. ((Moore, Melody. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Household Solutions.” Alpha Books. 1998. Print.))
As with any cleaner, caution and pretesting should be performed in an inconspicuous area before using borax on your carpet.
