But it wasn't until the 17th century that attempts were made to harness the power exhibited by Heron's aeolipile for practical purposes. In the first century A.D., Hero of Alexandria invented the aeolipile, or primitive steam turbine. Credit: Public domain.
Borax is a good natural choice for cleaning mold. It is toxic if you swallow it, but otherwise, it does not emit dangerous fumes or chemicals when you use it. What makes it great to use on mold is that it disinfects the surfaces it cleans. You mix borax with water in a one cup to one gallon ratio.
Borax, which is also known as Boric Acid and is sold under the brand name 20 Mule Team, is often touted as safe and natural. While it is a naturally occurring mineral, that doesn't mean it is without dangers. Borax is often recommended as a safe pesticide, fungicide and cleaner, but it is officially classified as a poison. Government sites recommend that people who work with Borax use gloves and handle it with caution.