Homemade Fire Retardant Chemicals

Fire retardant solutions help protect items and surfaces from fire.

There are various solutions sold commercially that will increase flame control, but a homemade fire retardant can be just as effective. Home-produced fire retardants can even be made from natural ingredients to help reduce your exposure to potentially hazardous compounds and chemicals.

1. Measure 7 oz borax in a measuring cup. Pour the borax in a bowl.

2. Add 3 oz boric acid to bowl as well as 2 qt of hot water.

3. Stir the mixture thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the borax and boric acid dissolve.

4. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle using a funnel.

5. Safety-test the fire retardant solution by applying the solution to a cloth you are not worried about damaging. Take a lighter to a small portion of the cloth the solution is being used on. Re-apply the solution until the safety test is successful and the surface becomes fire-retardant.

6. Spray the solution onto fabrics and other surfaces or items such as home decorations, as the solution will not damage fabrics. Soak clothes in the solution or spray it onto clothing. Reapply after washing the clothing as the solution will wash out.

7. Discard of any leftover mixture.

Tip

Wool fabric is the only fabric that is naturally fire-retardant.