"Using borax in the laundry can whiten and brighten clothes, get rid of odors, and soften hard water to reduce mineral deposits left behind on fabrics," says Kristin DiNicolantonio of the American Cleaning Institute. Add 1/2 cup of borax to your laundry to brighten white or colored clothes.
You can also pre-treat with Borax by soaking stained garments or extra dingy whites in a mixture of 1 tablespoon borax to one gallon of water.
Sodium tetraborate has a high alkaline level (pH level of around 9.13) and when diluted in hot water it reaches a pH level of 8, giving it the perfect acidity level for cleaning. This means it works as a bleaching agent killing any bacteria, or fungus growths, and removing stains.
(But don't ever mix it with vinegar. That combination is potentially toxic and corrosive.)
Borax is an easy-to-find cleaning solution that works beautifully in your laundry loads to help your clothes smell ten times fresher and brighten up the colors. Plus, it's also a powerful cleaner that breaks down oils, dirt, grime, and other unwanted deposits on your clothes.
Refill sink (or bucket) with hot water and add about 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Add clothes and allow to soak for about 15 minutes. Drain water and rinse whites in warm water.
Borax Whitens Whites—Naturally
But even if bleach isn't your thing, borax still gets the job done as a natural whitener. It's like a brightening boost for everything from t-shirts to towels.
Both baking soda and Borax are effective because they are alkaline and abrasive. But Borax has a higher PH than baking soda, making it a slightly harsher but arguably more effective cleaning agent. It inhibits fungi, mold, and bacteria. Have a pile of clothing from your kid's sports that has taken on a stink?
“You can try washing the towels with some baking soda or white vinegar directly in the drum – but not together,” says Paterson. “Before loading your towels, add a ½ cup of lemon juice or white vinegar directly into the drum, followed by a small amount of detergent (my current favourite is Smol),” says Hanley.
In the battle of borax vs. washing soda, the winner depends on your specific needs. Borax is an excellent all-around laundry booster with odor control and whitening properties, while washing soda is the go-to choice for tackling tough stains and grease.
Fill your bathtub, sink or a large bucket with hot water. Add borax, washing soda (sodium carbonate — not baking soda) and laundry detergent in a 1:1:2 ratio. For a bathtub, add ¼ cup borax, ¼ cup washing soda and ½ cup laundry detergent. Stir until all three ingredients dissolve completely.
Hotels maintain the whiteness of their towels after multiple washes by using careful laundering techniques, high-quality detergents and optical brighteners. To keep towels smelling fresh, hotels use scented laundry products, prioritize proper drying and store the towels in clean and dry spaces.
Body Oils and Lotions: Natural oils from your skin, as well as lotions and other personal care products, can transfer to your towels. Over time, these oils can cause discoloration, particularly on white fabrics. Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause white towels to yellow.
Add ¼ cup borax, 1/3 cup washing soda, and ½ cup laundry detergent. Stir to dissolve. Submerge your towels, and let them soak four to five hours, or until the water has cooled. Drain the dirty water (it's normal for it to be grey and murky) and then run your towels through a rinse-only cycle in the washer.
Laundry stripping involves filling a tub up with scalding hot water and then adding ½ cup borax, ½ cup washing soda, and a small amount of detergent. Clothes are swished around in this solution and left for four or more hours to soak, and the result is usually a tub full of dingy water.
Borax is a powerful stain remover, capable of tackling even the toughest stains. Whether you're dealing with wine, blood, or grease, a borax paste can make a big difference. Mix borax with water to create a thick paste, then apply it directly to the stain.
"Using borax in the laundry can whiten and brighten clothes, get rid of odors, and soften hard water to reduce mineral deposits left behind on fabrics," says Kristin DiNicolantonio of the American Cleaning Institute. Add 1/2 cup of borax to your laundry to brighten white or colored clothes.
Vinegar Soak for Stubborn Yellow Stains
Fill a large bucket or basin with warm water. Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the water and mix well. Place the yellowed garments into the solution and let them soak for 3-4 hours. After soaking, rinse the clothes with cold water and wash them as usual.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to your white laundry. This can remove the grey or yellow hues from your white clothes and restore their original color. Fabric whitening products: Specially designed fabric whitening products keep white clothes looking bright and fresh.
Borax, used in moderation, generally doesn't damage washing machines. However, overuse can lead to residue build-up and potential mechanical issues.
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral typically used for brightening and whitening laundry. "Though both are widely used in cleaning or laundry, washing soda is more of a heavy-duty cleaner and laundry savior while borax is more multi-purpose," says Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations of Two Maids.
Tub and Sink Cleaner
Mix 2 teaspoons of Borax, 4 teaspoons of white vinegar and 3 to 4 cups of hot water into a spray bottle.