Borax for Mold
Washing the walls, wood, floors, etc. with a solution of 1 - 2 cups of (20 Mule Team) Borax in a gallon of hot water will probably be cheaper and more effective in the long run. Once the Borax soaks into the wood (wash/spray it to the point of run-off three times and let it dry each time before respraying) - the wood will never become infested with insects, mold, fungus, or mildew and you get an additional benefit the wood/material becomes fire-resistant. That is how they have protected cellulose insulation for many years. Be careful not to eat/ingest Borax it is toxic. Be careful not to spray plants as they will also die. People do however, wash their baby diapers and other clothing in Borax.
Borax usage
Borax, a natural mineral compound has a wide range of uses in the home, and I learn about more all the time.
It has a pH of around 9, which is higher than baking soda (which is 8.1; 7 is neutral). It is a good deodorizer and mold inhibitor, as well as a successful way to kill cockroaches, fleas, and other insects. One of my favorite uses for it is as a toilet bowl cleaner and it is always my first choice for such a job.
1. Toilet Bowl Cleaner Pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet bowl at night before you go to sleep. The next morning clean out the toilet bowl with a brush. You will find the job effortless because the borax has loosened all the grime buildup. Note that this method of toilet cleaning works very well for rust rings.
2. Flea Killer Sprinkle borax on dog beds, carpets, and other areas where you suspect that fleas are hatching. Borax releases boric acid, which is a poison (note that very high doses would need to be ingested to harm a pet or human).
3. Mold Inhibitor This method of inhibiting mold is very good to use on areas where mold and mildew is growing but that you don’t need to worry about paint being damaged. Make a thick borax and water paste. Smear it on the moldy area. Let set until dry (overnight or longer). Sweep up the powder, and rinse off the rest.
4. Mice Deterrent Sprinkle borax on the floor along the walls (mice like to run along the side of walls). They don’t like getting the borax on their feet, so they are less likely to return to that area of the house.
5. All Purpose Cleaner Put 2 teaspoons of borax in a spray bottle with 2 cups of very hot water. Shake to blend.