Borax (Natural)

Borax, or sodium borate, is one of those naturally versatile minerals that I absolutely love. It’s formed from dried-up salt lakes, rich in boron, sodium, oxygen, and water. The Borax you'll find here at Under Your Sink is mined directly from these natural deposits in Turkey - no synthetic chemicals, fillers, or additives involved.

Unlike some ingredients that can be lab-made or processed, genuine Borax is completely natural. It’s simply harvested from the earth and gently refined through a straightforward crystallisation process. This keeps it pure, natural, and effective, just how I like it.

In warm water, Borax quickly dissolves into an alkaline solution (around pH 9.5). This alkalinity is where its cleaning magic comes from. It breaks down acidic grime, lifts tough stains, and neutralises odours. Interestingly, Borax even produces tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water, giving it a mild, natural bleaching effect.

Borax has a few standout qualities in cleaning products. It softens water by binding to minerals, meaning your soaps and detergents perform better. It’s also antifungal and mildly antibacterial, making it particularly useful in laundry, bathrooms, and areas prone to mould or dampness. Plus, it acts as a stabiliser in DIY recipes, keeping your cleaning solutions balanced and effective.

Beyond cleaning, Borax has some surprising extra uses too. It’s great for gently removing rust from sinks and fixtures, and tackling grease on cookware. It freshens drains and garbage disposals, and even doubles as a simple pest control for ants and cockroaches (with caution around kids and pets). And yes, my daughter will absolutely confirm - it makes fantastic slime activator!

Borax is a team player, it works beautifully in recipes for:

• Laundry powder
• Cleaning pastes for grout or tiles
• Carpet fresheners
• And yes... for making slime (My daughter will vouch for that)

You can also use Borax solo - it doesn’t always need fancy partners:

• Add 1–2 tablespoons to your washing machine drum for a clean or to boost laundry
• Dissolve in warm water to create a light all-purpose spray.
• Mix into a paste to scrub grout, sinks, or bins.
• Sprinkle on carpets before vacuuming to help deodorise.

Just remember it’s alkaline, so it’s not for delicates, wool, or silk.

The Borax you’ll find here at Under Your Sink is mined and processed in Turkey from natural deposits, free from synthetic fillers or chemical nasties. It’s biodegradable, doesn’t produce toxic fumes or residues, and unlike commercial cleaners, it won’t harm aquatic ecosystems or wildlife. Plus, it’s so versatile that a small amount tackles multiple tasks - reducing waste, packaging, and clutter in your home.

Borax is a natural mineral, but it’s still potent - so treat it with care:

• Do not ingest or inhale.
• Avoid contact with eyes and open cuts.
• Always store out of reach of children and pets.
• Use gloves if you have sensitive skin.

There are health warnings linked to old studies involving high-dose ingestion in animals. Some of this has filtered into cautionary use for pregnant people. My advice? Do your research and only use what you’re comfortable with. For household cleaning, Borax is perfectly safe when handled responsibly - just don’t go making tea with it.

PS: It is not the same as boric acid, which is more toxic. And I do not recommend using Borax for internal use - please don’t drink it, sniff it, or smear it on body parts. That’s not what we’re here for.

“Borax is the same as boric acid.”
Nope. They’re related, but boric acid is more processed and has a higher toxicity rating. Borax is the safer choice for cleaning.

“It’s dangerous because it’s banned in the EU.”
Not quite. It’s restricted as a food additive and flagged for caution due to those old fertility studies. But no official ban exists on using it for cleaning - context matters.

“It’s toxic and unnatural.”
Actually, Borax is naturally mined and has been for centuries. People who’ve worked in borax mines have shown no health issues tied to exposure, including fertility.