Borax and laundry boosters at Safeway
Borax is a white mineral powder that has been a laundry-room staple for more than a century, and yes, people still buy it. Half a cup in the wash boosts your detergent, softens hard water, and helps lift stains and odors. Around the house it scrubs toilets, cuts grease, and baits ants. It isn't bleach, it isn't baking soda, and it needs some care around kids and pets. Here's what borax is, how to use it, and what to know before you do.
What Is Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral made of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. Much of the US supply is mined in California's Mojave Desert, then sold as a white, odorless powder of small crystals that looks a bit like coarse salt. It's safe for household cleaning when used as directed, but it isn't harmless: don't swallow it, don't breathe the dust, and keep it away from kids and pets.
Natural composition: Borax is a mined mineral salt, not a lab-made synthetic. Natural doesn't mean edible, though.
Versatility: Its ability to work in multiple areas of your home means you can reduce the number of different cleaners you need to buy.
Cost-effective: Because it's effective in small quantities, a single box can last for an extended period, making it a budget-friendly option for many households.
Common uses for borax
Laundry: Borax can be added to wash loads as a booster to make your clothes cleaner and brighter.
Dishes: In the kitchen, a paste of borax and water cuts grease on stainless steel and enameled pots without scratching. Skip nonstick and bare aluminum, and rinse well afterward.
Cleaning: Borax scrubs toilets, sinks, and tile, and helps keep mildew in check.
Pests: Mixed with sugar as a bait, borax helps get rid of ants and cockroaches without spraying insecticide.
Crafts: Borax is the activator in classic homemade slime (adults should handle the powder), and it's a common ingredient in DIY toilet bowl cleaners.
With these points in mind, it's clear why adding borax to your shopping list can offer numerous benefits around your home.
Borax for Laundry
Borax is an easy way to boost your washing routine. Adding it to your laundry, in addition to detergent, helps with tough stains and odors and makes a noticeable difference in how clean and fresh your clothes come out of the wash. Here's what it does.
Stain Removal: Borax has impressive stain-fighting properties. Pre-treating stained garments with borax and water can help break down the stains before they go into the wash, making it easier for your detergent to lift them away.
Odor Neutralizer: When dealing with musty towels or smelly gym clothes, borax helps neutralize odors and leaves fabrics smelling clean. It raises the water's pH, which helps break down the grime behind most smells.
Water Softener: Hard water weakens detergent. Borax ties up some of the calcium and magnesium in hard water, so your detergent can clean more efficiently.
Brightens Whites: Over time, white fabrics can turn dingy. Borax helps your detergent lift the residue that dulls them. It isn't bleach, though: there's no chlorine or peroxide in it, so it won't strip color from darks.
Safe for Most Fabrics: Unlike chlorine bleach, borax is safe for most washable fabrics, including colors, without risking discoloration. Check the care label and skip it for silk and wool.
How to use borax in laundry
Add half a cup of borax along with your regular detergent to a standard load. Borax dissolves best in warm or hot water, so for a cold wash, dissolve it in a cup of hot water first. For heavily soiled or stained items, pre-soak them in warm water and borax for 30 minutes before washing as usual. High-efficiency machines and large-capacity loads need different amounts, so check the box.
Borax works alongside your detergent, not instead of it. For set-in stains, pair it with an oxygen booster like OxiClean or Clorox 2 for Colors. Next time you do laundry, try half a cup and see the difference it makes.
Ingredients CONTAINS: Water, hydrogen peroxide, myristamine oxide, sodium hydroxide, fragrance, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate. Contains fragrance allergen(s).
Borax for Cleaning
This versatile mineral can tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks from the kitchen to the bathroom. Here's how you can use borax to maintain a clean and inviting home:
Surface Cleaner: Mix about half a cup of borax into a gallon of warm water for kitchen counters, appliances, and floors. It cuts through grease and grime. Rinse with clean water afterward, especially on counters and other surfaces that touch food.
Mold and Mildew Remover: Borax is effective against mold and mildew. Apply a borax-water solution to affected areas, scrub gently, then rinse. It not only cleans but also helps prevent future growth.
Carpet Cleaner: Sprinkle borax on carpets and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming. This helps lift odors and light stains without a professional cleaning. Spot test first, and keep kids and pets off the carpet until it's thoroughly vacuumed.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner: To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, pour half a cup of borax down the drain. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle half a cup of borax into the bowl, let it sit for an hour (overnight for rings), then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. It removes stains and deodorizes.
Whether you're dealing with tough kitchen grease or musty carpets, borax has you covered. And one box costs less than a cabinet full of specialized cleaners.
Other Uses for Borax
You might be surprised to learn that besides laundry and cleaning, this humble mineral also helps in the garden, with pests, and with crafts. Here are some additional uses for borax that showcase its versatility:
Gardening Aid: Plants need a little boron, and borax is a traditional source. Only use it if a soil test shows a boron deficiency, and keep the dose tiny: too much boron is toxic to plants.
Pest Bait: Borax is a classic bait for ants and cockroaches. Mix it with sugar or syrup and put small amounts in bait stations or deep crevices where you see them. Ants carry it back to the colony, and cockroaches eat it where they hide. Sweet baits attract kids and pets too, so keep them out of reach.
Weed Killer: Mix borax with water and spray it on weeds growing through cracks in sidewalks or driveways. Be cautious not to spray it on desired plants, as it can kill them, too.
Deodorizer: Borax can neutralize odors in fabrics and footwear. Sprinkle a small amount inside the shoes overnight to eliminate odors.
Preserving Flowers: For those who enjoy crafts, burying flowers in a mix of borax and cornmeal or sand dries them while keeping their color and shape better than air drying.
Homemade Candles: Candle makers soak cotton wicks in a solution of borax and salt and let them dry before use. Treated wicks burn with less ash and smoke.
Whether you want to help your garden, deal with ants, or fix small household problems, borax earns its spot under the sink.
Borax Safety Tips
While borax is a versatile and useful product for various household tasks, it's important to handle it safely to avoid any potential risks. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when using borax:
Keep out of reach of children and pets: Store borax in a secure place to prevent accidental ingestion, which can be harmful.
Avoid inhalation: When using borax powder, be careful not to inhale it. Use in well-ventilated areas to minimize respiratory irritation.
Wear protective gloves: If you have sensitive skin or are using borax for extended periods, wearing gloves can help prevent skin irritation.
Do not ingest: Borax is not safe to eat. If ingested, seek medical attention immediately.
Use as directed: Follow the instructions on the package for safe and effective use. Using more than recommended does not increase effectiveness and can increase risks.
Know why it carries warnings: In Europe, borax is classified as a reproductive toxin at high exposure levels, which is why its labels carry strong warnings there. Everyday laundry and cleaning use is a much lower exposure, but it's one more reason to keep the dust down and the box out of reach.
Follow these guidelines and you get the benefits of borax as a laundry booster, cleaner, or ant bait without putting your family at risk.
FAQ
Is borax bleach?
No. Borax contains no chlorine or hydrogen peroxide, so it won't bleach colors or fade dark clothes. It makes whites look brighter by helping your detergent lift the residue that dulls them.
Is borax safe to use?
Yes, for laundry and cleaning when you use it as directed. Don't swallow it, avoid breathing the dust, rinse it off skin and surfaces, and store it out of reach of kids and pets.
Is borax a laundry detergent?
No. Borax is a laundry booster, not a detergent. It helps your detergent work better, but it doesn't have the surfactants that lift dirt and oil out of fabric, so use it alongside detergent, not instead of it.
What’s the difference between borax and OxiClean?
OxiClean is an oxygen bleach: its main ingredient, sodium percarbonate, releases hydrogen peroxide in water to break down stains. Borax doesn't release peroxide, so it isn't a bleach of any kind. It boosts detergent, softens water, and deodorizes. They work well together in the same load.
Does Safeway sell borax?
Yes. Look for 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry aisle with the stain removers and detergent boosters, or order it for pickup or delivery.
Can borax be used in a dishwasher?
Yes. Add a tablespoon or two of borax to the bottom of the dishwasher along with your usual detergent to boost cleaning and cut odors. Check the box for exact amounts.
Is it safe to mix borax with vinegar?
It's safe, but it doesn't help much. Vinegar is acidic and borax is alkaline, so mixing them mostly cancels out what makes each one work. Use them separately: borax as the scrub or laundry booster, vinegar as a rinse.
How long can I keep a borax solution?
A borax solution can be kept for up to a month if stored in a labeled, airtight container. However, it's best to mix fresh solutions for optimal effectiveness.
Can borax remove pet odors from carpets?
Borax can help remove pet odors from carpets. Sprinkle it over the carpet, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up. Always do a spot test first to ensure it doesn’t discolor the carpet.
Does borax kill mold spores?
Borax can kill mold spores due to its fungicidal properties. Apply a solution of borax and water to the affected area, scrub gently, then wipe clean without rinsing for best results.
What’s the difference between borax and baking soda?
They're different compounds. Borax is sodium borate, a mined mineral, while baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Borax is more alkaline (a pH around 9 versus about 8 for baking soda) and a stronger cleaner, but it isn't safe to eat. Baking soda is food-safe and gentler, so it's the better pick for deodorizing the fridge or anything that touches food.
Is borax the same as boric acid?
No. They're related, since boric acid is made from borax, but they're different products. Boric acid is mainly sold as an insecticide and antiseptic. Don't swap one for the other.
Is borax the same as washing soda?
No. Washing soda is sodium carbonate, which is much more alkaline than borax (a pH around 11). It's a stronger cleaner and degreaser but harsher on skin and some surfaces. Many DIY laundry recipes use both.
Does borax have a smell?
No. Borax is odorless, which is part of why it works as a deodorizer. If your box smells like something, it has picked up odors from where it's stored.
Can I use borax to clean my windows?
Yes, you can use a solution of borax and water to clean windows. It removes dirt and grime without leaving streaks.
Is borax harmful to plants?
Yes, in anything but tiny amounts. Plants need a little boron, but too much is toxic and can linger in the soil. Only use borax in the garden if a soil test shows a deficiency, and never spray borax weed killer near plants you want to keep.
Can borax be used on colored fabrics?
Yes, borax is safe for most colored fabrics. It helps brighten colors without the bleaching effect. However, always test on a small area first.
Can you mix borax and bleach?
Yes, in the wash. Borax can go in the same load as chlorine bleach, and it helps the bleach work. Don't mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar, though.
Where do I put borax in the washing machine?
Sprinkle it straight into the drum before you add clothes, not in the detergent dispenser, where powder can clump. For cold or high-efficiency washes, dissolve it in hot water first.
Does borax disinfect?
Not really. Borax helps keep mold and mildew in check, but it isn't a registered disinfectant. To kill germs on surfaces or in laundry, use a product labeled as a disinfectant or sanitizer.
How does borax interact with hard water?
Borax ties up some of the calcium and magnesium minerals that make water hard and raises the water's pH. Both help soap and detergent clean better.
Does borax expire, and how do I get rid of old borax?
Borax doesn't really expire. If it clumps from moisture, break it up and keep using it. To get rid of a small household amount, dissolve it in plenty of water and rinse it down the drain, or follow your local household waste rules. Don't pour it on soil or near plants.
Can I unclog a drain with borax?
Yes, borax can help unclog drains. Pour a half cup of borax down the drain, follow it with two cups of boiling water, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
Does borax repel mice and rats?
Not reliably. There's little evidence that borax keeps mice or rats away. Snap traps and sealing entry gaps work better. Borax baits do work on ants and cockroaches.
Can I use borax to clean silverware?
Yes, a paste made of borax and water can clean silverware. Apply the paste, gently scrub, then rinse and dry for a shining finish.
Is it safe to add borax to a swimming pool?
Adding borax to a swimming pool can help stabilize pH levels and make the water feel smoother. However, it's important to follow specific guidelines for pool chemistry to ensure safety and prevent harm to pool materials.
