If you make your own cleaning products, you may be familiar with borax. Also known as sodium borate, borax is a natural mineral compound that is commonly used to wash clothes. It is a fantastic stain fighter, and works on tough stains like oil, tomato sauce and wine. It’s also used in some soap recipes, toothpaste formulas and as a preservative. It cleans by converting some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide (source).
Borax is found deep within the earth and looks like large white crystals. The large crystals are ground to create a white and odorless powder consisting of very small crystals. The use of borax can be traced to 10th century AD, when borax was used in ceramic glazes in China. In 1872, borate deposits were discovered in California’s Death Valley. Since then, this mine has grown to become one of the richest borate deposits in the world (source).
Borax has a pH level of approximately 9.5 and is toxic when ingested. I recommend handling borax with protective gear, like gloves. Borax is not to be confused with boric acid. Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is created by reacting borax with a mineral acid. Boric acid is commonly used as an insecticide.
Borax is a wonderful cleaner and stain fighter. If you’re interested in using borax to make your own natural cleaning products, check out the DIY Laundry Soap Recipes. This post includes three variations of laundry soap, so you can find the perfect recipe for your needs. Borax works as a stain-removal aid and can be used on whites as an alternative to chlorine bleach. But don’t worry, we found borax was safe to use on color loads as well.
Making your own laundry soap with borax, baking soda and other natural ingredients is easy. Click here to learn how.
If you’re looking for more laundry ideas, check out this post, which includes a recipe for Lavender Laundry Soap and Reusable Dryer Sheets. The Lavender Laundry Soap recipe does not include borax, but you can add some (up to 20%) if you want to add stain removal properties to the formula.
Borax can be added to laundry soap recipes for extra stain fighting properties.
Borax can also be added to water to dissolve and use in a spray. In the Multipurpose Cleaning Spray, borax is mixed into warm water along with vinegar, lemon essential oils and white thyme essential oil. Sometimes borax can take a little while to fully dissolve, but just keep stirring. =) This spray is great for wiping down counter tops and bathroom surfaces.
Have you used borax in your cleaning recipes? It’s such a classic, yet underrated cleaning agent! =)
I love your work, it’s creative and beautiful and I hope to learn more from you though AM a Nigerian. staying in Nigeria too.
Glad to hear you’re loving the blog, thanks for reading.
If it’s irritating to the skin and then it’s used with a laundry detergent then wouldn’t that irritate the skin?
Thank you,
Brooke
The Borax is diluted several ways – first, in the recipe itself and then in the washing machine water. So, we don’t recommend putting it directly on the skin. But in this recipe it’s diluted so it’s safe to use. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Why would you use borax in a cold process soap? I’ve seen a recipe doing so and it seems like a quick way to turn your soap into a detergent. I have a hunch maybe it’s to preserve the soap (it’s a milk soap) but I’m not entirely sure! Thank you for any advice 🙂
Hi Chelsie!
From what I understand, people use borax in soap when they have hard water! I think it softens the bar. We haven’t given it a try, so I’m not 100% sure how it works. Sorry about that! You may check teachsoap.com/forum to see if someone there knows more. 🙂
You can also mix borax with already made cold process to create laundry soap! Learn how here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/home-crafts/three-diy-laundry-soap-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
after reading this i am wondering about recipes for bath bombs that have you putting borax in them. what reason would there be to add borax to a product that people including children will be soaking in?
Hi Lianne!
I’m not sure why the bath bomb recipe is calling for borax, but we definitely don’t recommend it. Borax can be irritating on the skin and toxic if accidentally ingested.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
thanks for the insite, I have been using recipes from Holly Ports Make it Fizz book and some of the recipes call for borax powder.
I emailed Holly about this, she says it is optional and she has been using it in her bombs for 10 years without any problem. But to be on the safe side I plan on not using it anymore. thanks for the info. I consider the soap queen as a valuable resource!
You’re welcome Lianne! That’s what’s so awesome about making your own products – you can choose each ingredient that goes into the recipe. I love being able to customize. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Your borax is sodium borate, and the borax at my local grocery store is sodium tetraborate; can I swap one for the other, or are they different enough that it wouldn’t work (all my fuzzy chemistry memories tell me is that four is involved somewhere haha).
These laundry recipes will be very helpful once I finally get my own washer/dryer. 😀 In the meantime, I bet that spray smells nice (I wonder if it’s strong enough to de-stain my countertops hahaha); my cats tend to jump on the counters all the time, and I don’t plan to leave puddles of the stuff lying around, but I should I make extra sure to wipe the counters completely dry?
Hi Karin!
I did a quick internet search and it looks like borax is also called sodium borate or sodium tetraborate. So the borax you have should be the same as ours! A small test batch would be a good idea just in case.
Borax can be irritating, so I would recommend making your counters are nice and dry before any cats jump up! You may want to cover the countertops for a couple hours after spraying to be extra safe. I know my cat isn’t a big fan of waiting. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry