Many people have heard from the edge of their ears that boric acid for whitening clothes is simply irreplaceable. It was used by our grandmothers during the war years. In some sources, it is credited with whitening properties that are incomparable with washing powder and even bleaches. But is it really so? And how to use boric acid in order to whiten different things: tulle, socks, underwear and bed linen, towels?
Boric acid and its advantages
Boric acid is usually called weak orthoboric acid. It is famous for its disinfecting and antipruritic properties. At home, used as fertilizer and poison for cockroaches. A powder of boric acid is used to bleach the laundry, less often 3% acid in an alcohol solution (boric alcohol).
5 advantages of the product:
- Gentle on the tissue.
- Suitable for whitening wool, silk, cotton, linen, as well as natural fabrics with an admixture of synthetics.
- Disinfects.
- Destroys fungus and mold.
- Softens water and increases the effectiveness of washing powder.
Boric acid does not destroy tissue fibers, as bleach does. This is its main advantage.
How to use for whitening?
There are 5 ways to use the product:
- Soak. Allows you to soften the dirt, so that it is easier to remove when washing. For a whitening effect, 1–2 tbsp. Is dissolved in 2 l of water (hot). tablespoons of boric acid. Things are placed in a solution and left for 2 hours.
- Removing fresh spots. If fruit juice is accidentally spilled on white linen, blood or coffee has got in, this place is sprinkled with crystals of boron powder and a few drops of water are dripped. Then the stain is lightly rubbed with a brush and wait until the product is completely dry. Then the procedure can be repeated, and if the laundry is cleaned, rinse it in water or brush off white dust (in case it is impossible to wash). Liquid boric acid can be dripped onto a cotton wool and applied as a compress to the site of contamination.
- Odor elimination and whitening. To remove stains of urine and mold from white linen, 10 g of boric acid are dissolved in 2 l of hot water and 0.5 cup of vinegar is added. Things are placed in the solution for an hour. Then washed and dried.
- Removing old spots. In 2 l of hot water dissolve 5 tbsp. spoons of ammonia and boric alcohol. Place the laundry there and, stirring occasionally, keep until the water cools completely. Then wash with powder.
- Use in the washing machine. When washing white laundry, add 0.5 cups of boric acid to the laundry detergent. Wash at a temperature of 60–90 degrees. This method will help remove yellowness.
Boric acid effectively copes with yellowing of white tissue, traces of fruits, coffee, sweat, fat.
Whitening socks, golfs, children's tights
To socks and tights again become snow-white, you need to do the following:
- Wash products with soap.
- Clean socks and tights pour hot water with the addition of 2 tbsp. tablespoons of boric acid.
- Leave on for 30 minutes and then lightly rub with a brush.
- Rinse in hot water.
Whitening underwear and tulle
Products of this type need careful care. And delicate boric acid is suitable for whitening them perfectly.
Instruction:
- Type in a basin of slightly warm water.
- Dilute boron alcohol in it at the rate of 2 tbsp. spoons per 1 liter
- Soak the tulle or cotton underwear for 3 hours.
- Wash in the usual way.
Bleaching of sheets and towels
The agent shows the greatest activity in hot water. For bleaching bed linen and towels, it is recommended to use boiling:
- Pour 5-7 liters of water into a large pot.
- Add 5 tbsp each. tablespoons of washing powder and boric acid.
- Put inside the linen, towels.
- Put the pot on the fire and bring to a boil.
- Continue to boil the laundry for 30 minutes.
- Leave in a saucepan to cool.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Precautions
Boric acid does not irritate the skin. It has no smell and taste. Previously, it was used to disinfect nipples and baby supplies, sprinkled wounds on it. However, toxicologists later revealed that boron belongs to the group of cell-wide poisons. With a systematic contact with the mucous membranes or ingestion, the substance causes poisoning, affects the brain, hematopoietic and germ cells.
There will be nothing from contact with the skin of the hands. The use of gloves is optional; you can mix the laundry with your hands. But after the procedure, you should wash your hands with soap, and rinse or wash things well.
Boric acid should be stored in a place inaccessible to children, and in no case should be taken orally.
Reviews
About boric acid as a bleach respond ambiguously. Positive and negative reviews are about the same amount. The opinion of the people was divided in half. Some praise its whitening properties and use for a long time. Others are disappointed with the effect and are more inclined to use modern household chemicals - industrial bleaches and stain removers that work for sure.
Boric acid or borax?
Boric acid, borax are chemically obtained solutions and powders based on boron compounds. Natural forest has been known to mankind since the Middle Ages. It has been used for centuries to solder metals, and in the 19th century they began to be used in medicine. But essentially these are two different substances:
- Boric acid (boric alcohol) is a solution of orthoboric acid in ethanol.
- Borax is the sodium salt of tetraboric acid.
The name "borax" comes from the Persian word "borac" and means "white". It was borax, not acid, that was used earlier for bleaching laundry. It is more effective, especially when combined with soap and hot water. There are two types of borax - Borax powder (in hardware stores) and a 20% solution of sodium tetraborate in glycerol (in pharmacies). Both drugs are inexpensive - the cost of 30 g of the substance does not exceed 50 rubles.
Recipe
Mix 250 g of grated laundry soap, 125 mg of borax (powder) and soda. With this powder, you can wash white things, wash tiles and sanitary ware in the bathroom, and disinfect the toilet.
So, despite the certain advantages of boric acid, it can not be called a highly effective whitening agent. If you have powder or alcohol in your home, you can try the whitening procedure. It certainly won’t be worse. But you should not buy it specifically for these purposes. It is better to spend the same money on a budget bleach.