Borax is a versatile substance widely used for many household and industrial purposes, including:

• Household cleaning: Used as a laundry booster to brighten clothes, remove stains, and soften hard water. It is also effective for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces, removing rust, deodorizing carpets and shoes, and cleaning drains and garbage disposals.
• Pest control: Acts as a natural insecticide to deter ants, cockroaches, and other pests by poisoning their colonies.
• Preserving flowers: Adding a small amount to water helps extend the lifespan of cut flowers.
• Weed killer: Can be used in solutions to kill weeds around non-crop areas like driveways and sidewalks.
• Miscellaneous uses: Used in making slime for children, as a component in cosmetics, in ceramics and glass production, as a fungus inhibitor in cellulose insulation, and in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber.

Borax must be handled with care due to its toxicity to insects and potential harm to humans and pets if ingested. It is not suitable for use on aluminum or delicate surfaces because of its abrasive nature. In summary, borax is primarily used as a cleaning agent, pest deterrent, rust remover, weed killer, and in various industrial applications.