Borax – A Balanced Ingredient in DIY Green Cleaning
Borax is one of those ingredients that tends to spark a lot of discussion, usually because it’s misunderstood.
Used correctly, Borax has been a reliable part of household cleaning for generations. It sits neatly between bicarb and washing soda, offering more cleaning power than bicarb without being as strong as washing soda.
Once you understand where it fits, Borax becomes a practical, predictable ingredient rather than a confusing one.
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a naturally occurring mineral.
It forms in dry lake beds where mineral-rich water has evaporated over long periods of time, leaving behind crystalline deposits. These deposits are mined and refined into the white powder commonly used in cleaning.
Borax is not the same as bicarb soda, and it’s also different to boric acid. They’re related, but they’re not interchangeable.
Why Borax is useful in cleaning
Borax is mildly alkaline, with a pH around 9 to 9.5. That puts it right in the middle of the DIY cleaning toolkit.
This level of alkalinity allows Borax to:
- help break down grime
- neutralise odours
- soften hard water
- support the performance of soap and detergents
It doesn’t overpower a recipe. Instead, it supports it.
That’s why Borax is most often used in laundry powders, cleaning pastes, and deodorising recipes rather than on its own.
Borax compared to bicarb and washing soda
These three ingredients are often confused, but they each have a different role.
Bicarb is the mildest and best suited to gentle cleaning and deodorising. Washing soda is the strongest and designed for heavy grease and build-up. Borax sits comfortably in between.
If bicarb isn’t quite enough and washing soda feels like overkill, Borax is usually the answer.
How Borax is commonly used
In DIY green cleaning, Borax is typically used as part of a simple recipe.
You’ll see it added to laundry powder to boost cleaning and deodorising, included in cleaning pastes for sinks and tiles, or used in carpet fresheners to help neutralise odours.
Because it’s effective at low concentrations, a small amount goes a long way.
A note on safety and responsible use
Borax is a natural mineral, but it’s still a cleaning ingredient and should be treated with respect.
It’s not intended for ingestion, inhalation, or use on the body. Store it clearly labelled, keep it dry, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Used as intended for household cleaning, Borax is safe and effective.
Clearing up common confusion
Borax is not boric acid. Boric acid is a more processed substance with different uses and a higher toxicity profile.
Borax is also not banned for household cleaning. Regulations vary by country and often relate to food or internal use, not external cleaning applications.
Understanding the context behind these conversations helps take the fear out of using the ingredient responsibly.
Why Borax still has a place today
Borax continues to be used because it works.
It supports cleaning without needing synthetic fragrance or harsh additives, and its versatility means fewer products are needed overall. That’s better for your home, your cupboards, and the amount of packaging coming into your life.
When used with intention, Borax is a steady, reliable ingredient that earns its place rather than demanding attention.