Getting to the Bottom of Borax: Is it Safe or Not?

crunched by Crunchy Betty on August 3, 2011
filed under Household, Skin

Not one single natural ingredient has me quite as verklempt as borax.

Nearly every “green cleaning” site lists it as a wonder cleaner. Natural beauty books are rife with suggesting it as a hair softener. People put it in lotions all across the world.

And upset commentors have left diatribes and sent consternating emails about my recipes using borax proclaiming it “toxic!” “dangerous!” “harmful!” “poison!”

Not surprising, all of the confusion, given the severe lack of cohesive information out there about the safety of borax. The Borax Council has done a terrible job at educating the public. Probably because I just made the Borax Council up.

I think I’ve gotten to the bottom of most of it, though, and maybe what I’ve found will help you make a decision as to whether you want to use it in your green cleaning (and beauty) routine … or not.

What IS Borax?

Borax, also known (most predominately in the way we’re talking about right now) as sodium tetraborate, is a boron mineral and salt that’s mined directly from the ground.

Borax is not boric acid.

That’s where the majority of the online confusion appears. With no surprise; at least half of the studies I’ve found and citations I’ve read have listed their testing matter as “either sodium borate or boric acid.”

The difference between the two is: Boric acid is produced when borax is reacted with another acid (like sulfuric or hydrochloric acid). The result is an acid structure (pH of 5.0), rather than alkaline, as borax is (9.3 pH). (I’m not going to get into the “is boric acid safe or not” question here, because that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms.)

Borax and boric acid are found together in many places, especially volcanic areas where the borax has naturally reacted with sulfur. You can also find both compounds in seawater.

Is Borax Safe or Not?

Sad hint: You still have to make up your own mind. I cannot say yes. And I cannot say no.

Let me tell you what some other people say, though:

The EWG’s Skin Deep Database lists it as a 5-6 (or moderate hazard), but trying to find the studies they used for their rating proved difficult, and the ones I did find were the nebulous “borax or boric acid” test studies.
Looking through the ToxNet studies on the NIH website, I see very few that are concerning for any major danger (unless ingested in high quantities). In addition, the Material Safety Data Sheet lists borax as a health hazard of 1, the same as baking soda and salt.
However, the FDA banned borax as a food additive, and the European Chemicals Agency added it to their “list of substances of very high concern” a few years ago. From what I could find, that had much to do with the ongoing debate as to whether excess boron in the soil harms crops.
Borax is classified as non-carcinogenic and a mild skin irritant. The high alkalinity of borax is likely what causes skin irritation (just as excessive use of baking soda would cause irritation). There are also several studies in the ToxNet database that show its only a very mild lung irritant and causes no lasting damage. In addition, it does not penetrate the skin well, and is not considered to be bio-accumulative. (Meaning, repetitive use over time does not mean it builds up in your system.)
The one concern is with its potential to disrupt the reproductive system. Studies have not been done in humans regarding this; however, potential reproductive issues in mice are suspected from high levels of (ingested) borax.
Borax is acutely toxic in the same manner that salt is (in rats, it’s 4500-5000 mg/kg of body weight, which is A LOT). Ingested in moderate quantities, it causes gastrointestinal upset and nausea. Bottom line: While it may be listed as “poison” on the box, it’s only toxic at very, very high levels. (Like salt, baking soda, and even water is.)

You confused yet?

Here’s one more bit of info for you:

Boron is an essential mineral that the body needs for bone building, immune function, and brain function. Plants need it to grow. But, like anything, it’s needed in small moderation. Much like salt.

Boron is found aplenty in borax. People even take borax as a supplement and swear by it (I am NOT recommending you do this). That’s a little extreme, but I use it as a gauge as to how harmful borax really is.

Borax: My Personal Thoughts

Borax is wholly natural. It doesn’t cause cancer, accumulate in the body, or absorb through the skin. It is not harmful to the environment. In fact, the largest borax (borate) mine in the world – found in Boron, California – is considered by many to be the most ecologically sound and environmentally sustainable mine in the United States. This is also the mine where 20 Mule Team comes from.

One last look at borax.

I’m putting to rest my late-night concerns about whether – all along – I’ve been using some kind of dangerous(!), toxic(!) poison(!).

For me – and this is my personal determination after months of searching, wondering, and compiling information – borax is just fine to use in my household cleaning routine. ESPECIALLY as a laundry detergent. It’s also fine to use, occasionally, as a hair treatment … or even in a lotion.

I’ll just be keeping it out of the reach of kids and my two cats. Not that any of those beings would want to eat it anyway. Ick.

My only teeny, tiny, miniscule concern still lies in using it in my dishwasher detergent. But, frankly, the only time I ever see any trace of residue on my dishes when I’ve used homemade dishwasher detergent is while washing the few plastics that still remain in my house.

I know better than to even be using plastics.

So, going forward, I’ll still be using my borax and washing soda dishwasher detergent, I’ll just be washing my plastics by hand (and little-by-little getting rid of them all together … except my food processor … anything but that).

And, moreover, I now have a compilation of all kinds of fancy information for the people who come down the road, aghast that I recommend using borax.

Ultimately, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.

Do you?

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KIT

Wow! Great info… I was definitely wondering about what borax and boric acid have in common. I made my own laundry detergent last week and am loving it. I was worried about using the borax since I also water my yard with what drains. My mother put moth balls (which are made partly of boric acid) in her garden to ward off snakes! I told her, REPEATEDLY, how awful moth balls are but she doesn’t seem to care. Anyway, thanks!
Aplomb

Thank you so much for doing the in-depth research for me! I trust you and the commenters below enough to reach the conclusion that Borax is fine to use moderately.
Katie Kerschner

Yes, I do think it’s a big deal. You shouldn’t have downplayed its toxicity by comparing it to salt. You’re probably not going to die from eating a teaspoon of salt, but a teaspoon of borax could prove fatal (especially for a child); two teaspoons – not much more of a leap, with children and their random handfuls of things – and serious harm or death is even more likely.

Bottom line: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS.
- http://www.crunchybetty.com CrunchyBetty
  
  http://www.crunchybetty.com/still-dont-actually-eat-your-dishwasher-detergent – Please do read that, for a personal story regarding this issue.
  
  In a nutshell, Poison Control very much disagrees with what you just said. However, I’m open to seeing research that shows two teaspoons of borax is fatal for children.
- Sandy
  
  in fact, if you read the post carefully, you’ll see that it was a teaspoon of a dilution of one teaspoon to a quart of water – quite a different matter.
Sandy

Betty, I loved this blog…is it ok that I linked to it on mine? Hope so. Because it is freakin’ good! Nice job with the research!
http://www.facebook.com/lauramprich Laura Rich

“In fact, the largest borax (borate) mine in the world – found in Boron, California – is considered by many to be the most ecologically sound and environmentally sustainable mine in the United States. This is also the mine where 20 Mule Team comes from.” Well yes, of course it’s ecologically sound and sustainable. It’s in DEATH VALLEY, where it’s pretty difficult to damage the landscape. Also, if the European Union is on record as flagging Borax as one of it’s ‘Substance(s) of Very High Concern’, I’m going to stay away from it. This labeling will state that Borax “may damage fertility” and “May damage the unborn child”. Europe is leading the way in keeping the Earth a cleaner, healthier place, from labeling Genetically Modified Food to keeping toxic substances out of their food and water supply. Since I use DIY cleaners for health reasons and not just frugality, I’m going to stay away from Borax and I suggest you and all your readers do the same. Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?
- Chemist
  
  I think if there was something to the whole “damaging fertility” thing, they would have evidence of it by now. People have been using this stuff forever.
  
  I am all for green cleaners, but you’d be surprised at how many “green” cleaners actually hide ingredients that are not so great for you. I read a consumer report recently about green household cleaners, and sadly a majority of them got failing grades for being not so “green” and safe to use.
  
  At least when you make your own detergent this way, you know what’s in it, and you can make an accurate decision as to whether or not you think it’s safe.
  
  Having green products these days is all the rage, so I wouldn’t put it past too many companies to try to push a “green” product that isn’t exactly all that green, just to get into the market. Plus, being a new market, the exact definition of a “green” is evolving, and may have different requirements next year that take whatever product you’re using now, off the market.
  
  If you read an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for the “green” products you use, they would probably have similar warnings as the one you described for Borax. Most MSDSs over exaggerate the health warnings, so that people who mishandle chemicals will know what the greatest extent of damage could be, should they decide to ingest a gallon of it, or take a bath in it.
  
  I work for a chemical company, so I see warnings like this daily, you just have to put these kinds of warnings in perspective. Anything can be lethal in a large enough dose, so labeling something as “toxic” when you have to ingest 5 pounds of the substance for every 100lbs of body weight is rather ridiculous.
  
  Everyone should do their own research and decide on their own whether they would like to trust a company producing a “green” product, which may or may not list everything contained within, or they can choose to make their own concoction. That’s the beauty of this country… we are free to choose for ourselves.
- http://www.facebook.com/bruce.alldis Bruce Alldis
  
  I put 1 Tsp in a quart of water and take about 2 to 3 Teaspoonfuls a day. The very first day I had more energy, so did my wife. My arthritis pain is almost gone in only 4 days! And it has iincreased both our sex drives wich is a pleasant surprise:) Table salt is 50% more toxic than Borax. Borax is a godsend for painridden people!
- Blue Bland
  
  Europe leads the way in wasting cash and doing foolish things like supporting Kings and Queens – get a grip man.
Shatzi

This was super informative. Thank you for such good information!
Claudia

How safe is the homemade laundry detergent (1c borax, 1c washing soda, 1 bar soap & 2 gallons water) with Borax for infants & children?
Jordan Familyoffoodies

Thank you for this. I am starting to make my own laundry detergent and had some concerns if whether borax was safe or not. Great article!
Amy Kingman

Thank you!!! This was really helpful. Settled a 9 person discussion here at work. :)
Erin H

Thank you, thank you! Trying to reduce toxins in our home, and laundry detergent is next…but all the recipes I found had borax and the danger warnings in the comments. This was so helpful in making up my mind, and as I keep replacing products in my home!
Joanne

I had a mild skin infection on my face and the dermatologist I saw recommended a hot compress (1 cup warm water + 1/2 tsp Borax). I used it for ~5 days and my skin cleared up! I say it’s safe, but as mentioned multiple times in this article — do not use it excessively.
Samantha Houston

Thank you for this! I have always wondered the difference between borax and boric acid but so many “pro” sites make it confusing so it is hard to keep track. I want to start making my own homemade everything, just needing more confirmation on borax being safe to use, so this and all the comment are so helpful!
http://mistiwolanski.com Carradee

Per the Google search I just did, borax has a lower pH (is less alkaline) than antacids or even baking soda.

Anything can be a skin irritant. Tea tree oil makes my skin blister and peel off; castor oil does that to my mother. Most detergents bother me, too. (Soap nuts don’t, so far…) But if it’s the alkalinity that’s causing then irritation, then baking soda should bother you, too. *shrug*
Jeff Doyle

The conspiracy theorist in me would argue that ‘borax toxicity’ is an argument used by large corporations/manufacturers of cleaning products…in the hopes that you will ditch any effort to make your own detergent and buy their costly products, most of which use petrochemicals and definitely do contain toxic ingredients….I’m sticking with my borax, thank you very much. My grandparents used it and they lived well and to a ripe old age.
By the way, my favourite method of scrubbing a bathtub is to cut a lemon in half and use it with borax to clean the tub! It removes soap residue and leaves the tub smelling wonderful.
hi

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
mhikl

Dear Crunch Betty,
Sadly we are forced to become politically correct when looking at substances from nature while anything stewed up in a laboratory is free from concern when certified by a medicinal producer and quickly rubber stamped approved by the govt. For those who follow Allopathic heroic medicine, take your drugs, do not take minerals and vitamins, avoid fats, eat lots of grains, legumes and high carb vegetable root crops and count on the safe instructions of your doctor.

For those who do their research (hat off to you CBetty) and reach back to the natural practices prior to the relentless onslaught of the Carnegie, Rockefeller, Rothschild conglomerate continue on with your research and avoid the money interests.

Borax is as Betty says, bad only in unreasonable quantities but similarly safe to the mindful use of salt, baking soda, vinegar, water or any other substance one puts in their mouths for nourishment. Chemical fertilizers leech natural minerals from our soils and the uptake is that plants don’t get the natural minerals from soils they used to get and we don’t manufacture minerals and vitamins out of breathing air.

But I have done my research too, and though it took me a while to get over my fears I now dissolve my borax in boiling water, then mix it with a strong solution of vitamin C powder, an acid, and then I imbibe the equivalent of a quarter teaspoon throughout the day with my two meals. The benefits are clear to those who get enough borax/boron in their foods, which is unlikely to happen without such supplementation. I also use the powder in my shoes to stay odour and to be absorbed, if it is possible, through my skin. It is used in our homemade bathing solutions, our dishwasher and our washing machine as well. As happens with salt, that which is not used is excreted.

Here is the insanity, and may be off topic, but it gets to the point. Cutting, burning and poisoning does not get rid of cancer, but it assures billions from our pockets to the interests and miserable death to the partakers sooner rather than later. These three witches have been used for over a century (first radiation to cancer, 1899, the poisons used came from the poisons used in WWII concentration camps) yet the medical profession continues to tout them and spurn any recourse that comes from nature. At what point will this terrorism end? What thoughts go through the mind of doctors on their death bed knowing they earned their fortunes cutting, burning and poisoning and furthering the misery of those whom they professed to help? Some don’t care, some just avoid the thought, others must end their hours in remorse.

Do your own research people or stay fast to your doctor’s hip. The choice is yours but when you see loved ones and friends dying before their times and if the same horror visits you, watch how quickly the doctors close their doors to discussion on what went wrong.

It is time to set political correctness to the bin and take action by doing your own research, as our good Betty has done. There are solutions to medical problems but they will not be found in your doctor’s office.
http://www.facebook.com/MaryMargaretWhiteLevilain Mary Margaret White-Levilain

Just got my first Borax is toxic alert Betty and, I somehow knew you would have the skinny on this! Great research and resources. Regarding dishwasher residue, I use 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid to the powder and add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment plus 1 TBSP to the load when ready to wash. No residue, best sparkle I’ve seen. .•´.•´¨) ¸.•¨)

(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•* *•♪♫•*¨*
http://www.facebook.com/none.compare Lovely Sandra

Thankfully, Borax is toxic to houses and couches infested with fleas! hehe Maybe it is the ratio? I think it is actually a drying process, like that powdered Earth they sell for flea control, which is made out of ground shells??? I think? :)
My opinion, is this: compared to all the things out there, everywhere, this is SAFE. Like I would not hesitate to use baking soda, I will not hesitate to use this. I think I will go get a box… *grin*
http://www.facebook.com/angela.arsana Angela Killian Arsana

I have never cleaned with Borax, never occurred to me. Will definitely be trying it out. But me and my family have always use Boric Acid as an insect killer in the house. We even would finely dust our couches with it, and we had dogs that were allowed on those couches. We never had any problems with it, nor did the dogs. So I’m thinking if the more toxic of the two, Boric Acid, isn’t a horrible as rumors liken to believe, I’m sure as long as you treat it as you would any other cleaner,i.e. keep it on a high shelf away from children, and you know NOT use it as a main ingredient in a dinner, it’s safe. I will def be picking up a box the next time i go to the store.
Guest

I have been using the Fragrance Crystals from Purex to scent my laundry as well, its pretty strong, so I use the amount for a smaller load on the big loads
Chaigirl100

Thank you for laying out this info on borax concisely and clearly and helping me to make an informed decision on continuing to use it in the dishwasher and laundry detergents that I make. I had leaned toward fine with it and am now very much at ease with it. Cayenne pepper sounds way more dangerous!
Megan

Very helpful information. Thank you.
Christine Anthony

Thank so much for your article! Between it and all the comments here I feel I can go ahead with my skin cream….I’m using the Borax as an emulsifier for my bees wax that I will be using in my formula. Thanks again!
hounds4joy

Just started using Borax with Washing Soda as a detergent. Love, love, love. Especially when I add vinegar in the rinse cycle as a fabric softner. ( 1/2 C vinegar in Downey Ball at beginning of cycle works great)

I started using Borax as a diluted cleaning agent on my granite counter tops. I was shocked at how squeeky clean they were. I washing with the borax solution and then wipe down with a clean wet cloth, dry with a towel. Amazing results and my stainless steel sink sparkles.

My only suggestion would be to use rubber gloves when using as a cleaning solution.

Remember our grandmothers used these products daily because they didn’t have all the fancy, new fangled detergents. All my grandma’s lived very, very long lives.
Bonnie Lackey

Thank you for doing all of this research! I recently purchased some borax to make my own laundry detergent. I love all of these great ideas, and I now feel better about using it (I was a little unsure) =).
http://www.facebook.com/splitstitches Jane Bouchard

I’ve been making my laundry powder and wasn’t sure whether I wanted to use the borax recipe. Thank you for sharing your home research results, they have eased my mind and I may try it out.
EnidinTN

If you still have concerns about borax after all this, you can just eliminate it from your diy dish detergent. Washing soda is stronger, so I just use that alone with vinegar in the rinse cycle. Simple, and works well for me!
Maureen

I made my first batch of laundry detergent over the weekend, using borax. Thanks for posting this, very helpful information.
Ronald73

It’s good stuff. Sometimes we (some people) obsess over the benign things while we’re not even aware of things that can do serious harm.
Simone Jaeger

Better late than never ;) thank you for this informative article!
I´m just researching over borax to write a blog post about it, too, Since I see it beeing reccomended on Pintersest for many things, like laundry detergent or even as ingredient for a winter kids craft.

Borax is banned here in the EU since 2010 for any private use, meaning, one can´t buy it in stores anymore. Reason behind this ban is, that borax seems to affect the human body in many ways – negatvely: it changes the human genome, threatens unborn children, pregnant, breastfeeding and menopause having women. The worst points are the genome changnig thing and the danger of miscarriage or defects during pregnancy for unborn life, I think.

So I personally would not use it in my for what ever detergentand, even if I could buy it anymore and I usually look for my cosmetics beeing borax free. And I surely never would use it for kids crafts.

A chemical (and borax is one, even if it´s made by nature) that can harm ones genomes usually won´t show any visible health issues at the affected person, But it could cause serious future health issues for their children, as they grow up. Maybe this could make us rethink, if we really want/ need to use borax? I dont talk about Borax as a supplement for any health treatment, I´m thinking of the amounts used for washing your clothes ( just think about your baby sucking on their bib or burb clothes, which – to think this further- could affect your future grandchildren in some decades), for washing your dishes, cleaning your floor, putting it in your cosmetics and so on… how much of it ends on and finally in our body? I don´t think, we can count this, so I personally prefer to play safe here and skip it. I make my own laundry detergent for example – without borax – only washing soda, soap and water, and I never heard any complains about it ;)

xoxo, Mone
http://www.facebook.com/ivy.glasgow.9 Ivy Glasgow

Very interesting article, thanks for posting. I have been reading up on greywater systems and they recommend not using borax in laundry due to its toxicity to plants and insects.
CatieOS

I tried to buy Borax here in Germany, they only sell it in Chemists and don’t sell it customers of they want to use it for cleaning purposes. If it is practically banned here, I can’t imagine that it is totally without reason. Is it possible that Americans search for reasons why Borax is safe because it is mined in America – support local and all?? Not wanting to stir the pot, just putting a thought out there!
melissa

I’ve noticed when I use my homemade laundry soap (with borax) then switch to a store bought detergent, my washer smells so bad! I often wondered if the borax kept my washer clean and the store stuff mucks it up!?
psychedeligoat

no not a big deal. Borax is great but I wouldn’t eat it, there are other options to get your alkalinity up. ;)