I plan on having a lot of foot traffic through my house for the holidays, and this year is the first year we will have a dog in the house. I really want the house to smell inviting, and not like a dog, so I am whipping up some homemade carpet powder.
Here’s the basic recipe I am using:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup borax
- 15-20 drops essential oils {I’m using cinnamon to give it a more holiday feel}
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Pour mixture into an inexpensive, dollar store jar with a lid with holes already in it {like for powdered sugar or red peppers}. Sprinkle onto carpet, wait 30 minutes and then vacuum.
Bring on the Holidays!
~Mavis
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Mari says
Why the borax??? This works perfectly well just using baking soda on its own or add cornflour which also deodorizes. I would be concerned about having borax on the floor where pets walk and can lick. Baking soda won’t hurt a dog or cat but borax can and will cause tummy irritation. We don’t eat it but we do baking soda…… so why endanger Lucy or any pet by using borax?????
Martin says
I got this off the 20 Mule Team Borax FAQ:
Can I use 20 Mule Team Borax around my pets?
20 Mule Team Borax can be used to deodorize pet odors, but it is NOT recommended to be added to litter boxes. As a reminder, we recommend you keep 20 Mule Team Borax out of reach of pets and children.
Kamiko says
i read the Borax box and it says not to ingest it, and there is not a word about pets. please show your sources that using it as a carpet powder, or for fleas will kill your animals. please use credible sources, word of mouth and liberal news sources does nothing for me thanks. as far as the endangering part, that’s kind of over the top and rude dontcha think? there should be a nicer way of expressing your opinion without being downright belligerent about it, dontcha think?
Mari says
I assume I was accused of being belligerent…. thanks. My comments were not rude…. I was asking questions. But in view of your comments, I have gone to a ‘credible source’ to give credibility seeing my 25 yrs of being a medical herbalist do not seem sufficient. I have asked my vet for her ruling on Borax
She advises that BORAX POWDER is a gastric irritant to humans, cats and dogs and should not be used where they walk, roll, lie or play as the powder adheres to their fur, and as we know, cats and dogs lick their fur and feet. It can induce vomiting and gastroenteritis and is extremely dangerous to animals with digestive disorders. She absolutely advises against using it in its POWDER form for the purpose of deodorising anywhere near animals. Incorporated in a pet wash, it may, and she stipulated its not really proven, effect fleas etc. But again, it can still be licked by pets so ill advises it.
I asked her about my formula of baking soda and cornflour and she said it was perfectly safe.
Borax is not classed as safe for ingestion for humans or animals. It will cause vomiting in humans.
Kamiko says
This is what i use, it smells so good! i put it into a spaghetti cheese container.
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Borax
2 Tbsp Nutmeg
i love making my own stuff, i feel better knowing what goes into it!
Kamiko says
forgot to add, this will also help get rid of fleas if you have them!
bklaw says
Ok, I am stoked to use this in my ugg boots, minus the borax………they STINK!!!! lol and I’d agree about caution with pets……
robyn says
I’m pretty sure if you vacuum well enough the borax will not bother your pets. I won’t be leaving it on the carpet for a long time for them to eat. Just going to vacuum thoroughly
Kay Snyder says
Instead of Borax have you tried diamatacous earth? (Or however you spell that stuff)