The Powerful Ingredient That Works Like Magic To Clean Walls

When a single-ingredient cleaning product can do the job of more expensive eco-friendly cleaners or even conventional ones, why not jump at the opportunity? Borax, or sodium borate, is near the top of the list of chemicals great for green cleaning. No matter how often you need to clean your walls, borax wants to be your new BFF. Mixed with warm water and a bit of dish detergent, this winning formula will brighten and de-gross-ify your walls without burning your nostrils. There's a growing collection of ways to use borax at home. When it costs just pennies an ounce and can be used for so many things, definitely put some 20 Mule Team All Natural Borax Detergent in your shopping cart.

The Mississippi State Department of Health suggests this mixture for non-toxic wall cleaning, stating that it's even safe for wallpaper. Professional painters recommend using borax on painted walls, as well. When your walls are sporting smudges, scuffs, fingerprints, and worse, mix up this inexpensive and simple recipe. Start by wiping or vacuuming away dust from the walls. Then, grab a bucket, fill it with 1 cup of borax, 2 tablespoons of liquid dish detergent, and top it off with 1 gallon of hot water. Mix it well, and apply it to walls with a damp rag or mop or as a spray. Let the concoction sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away. One thing to keep in mind is that just because borax cleans without harming the planet, it can still be toxic if ingested. Be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Regular wall cleaning is a great way to keep your paint looking bright and fresh. Yet, you want to come away from your wall cleaning venture with improved walls, not damaged ones. Take care not to scrub too hard; take on the job with microfiber cloths or other soft materials. You'll need to avoid getting your painted surfaces too wet, especially satin, flat, and eggshell finishes. Wring out a cloth well before applying the cleaner, then let the solution sit for about 10 minutes before wiping it away with another clean, damp cloth.

Sometimes, there's no need to add soap to your borax-water solution. You may be able to wipe away crayon and pencil marks from walls with a simple mixture of hot water and borax. As always, no matter what kind of surface you're cleaning, spot-check a small area before tackling an entire wall.