When Borax is added to water, it reacts with hardness causing ions (Ca2+, Mg2+ ions) present in water and bonds to these hardness causing ions and precipitates out of water leaving behind only Na+ ions in water, which do not make water 'hard'.
Borax provides water softening by producing a soluble calcium complex (forming a chelate with the minerals so that they are no longer available for reactions) and boosts surfactant performance by preventing precipitation of a calcium/surfactant complex.
Adding 1/2 cup laundry borax to each load softens water by basically canceling out the minerals so they can't react and build up.
The most accessible water softeners to add to your wash routine are Calgon and Borax. Both can be found in the laundry aisle, and both are effective for softening hard water.
How 20 Mule Team Borax helps. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that is known for its water softening abilities. Water softening occurs when calcium and magnesium are removed from “hard” water by exchanging with sodium ions.
The product primarily consists of borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, and is named after the 20-mule teams that were used by William Tell Coleman's company to move borax out of Death Valley, California, to the nearest rail spur between 1883 and 1889.
A: No, it is not the same "20 mule team borax" is not pure boric acid. This product is pure boric acid crystals, ground extremely fine, and is not for laundry purposes.
Borax causes irritation of skin and respiratory tract. The gastrointestinal tract, skin, vascular system and brain are the principal organs and tissues affected. It causes nausea, persistant vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, erythematous and exfoliative rash, unconsciousness, depression and renal failure.
Combining borax and water creates a borax solution. A solution is a specific type of mixture. A solution is a uniform mixture in which one or more substances (solutes) are dissolved in another substance (solvent).
Permanent Hardness of Water
We can remove this hardness by treating the water with washing soda. Insoluble carbonates are formed when washing soda reacts with the sulphide and chloride salts of magnesium and calcium, and thus, hard water is converted to soft water.
Here's how to make the most of your washer. The first step is to heat the water itself so that it is most effective when paired with the Borax. Hot water helps to make the Borax more soluble so it works its way into the clothing and gets an even deeper clean.
The solubility of most solids increases with temperature. In other words, more Borax may be dissolved in hot water than cold water. So if a hot, saturated mixture is cooled, there's more Borax than can be contained by the colder water, and so Borax may fall out of the mixture, forming crystals.
Using warm water helps the Borax dissolve the stains more easily. Just remember that the more clothes and the more water you use, the more Borax you'll need to add. Add ½ cup of Borax for every gallon of water that you used to fill the bucket. Stir the water gently to dissolve the Borax into the water.
How to Get Rid of Hard Water. A home water softener is the most efficient way to remove the minerals that make your water hard. Affordable water softening systems are available from a variety of retailers with capacities to fit your home's water usage and hardness.
Borax acts as a buffer and raises the pH of the water to a slightly basic solution, right around a pH of 8. Don't use Borax at the same time as vinegar or you'll just create a nice little acid-base reaction and make salt.
Borax and Hot Water Woes
Borax has one characteristic that can prove challenging when it comes to washing colored clothes: it doesn't dissolve well in cold water.
Mix 1 teaspoon of Borax into ½ cup of water in a plastic container. Slowly add the solution to the glue mixture. Stir the mixture in one direction until it starts to thicken.
First, make sure to keep it away from children's reach. Second, avoid using it as a cosmetic product and handle it with care at all times. This usually means wearing a mask and gloves when using it. Finally, do NOT mix Borax with any boric acid products, such as pesticides.
Ants that eat a borax bait will typically die within 24-48 hours.
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.
Its longevity is a testament not only to the cleansing power of borax, but to the power of marketing, as well. But first, some history: In the 19th century, borax was an ingredient used in ceramics and gold mining, but it was also touted as a cure-all for everything from dandruff to epilepsy.
And then there's the fact that you can safely consume baking soda, while borax should not be eaten, inhaled, or even exposed to your skin. That doesn't mean it's not “safe.” Rather, it is to say that baking soda is, on the whole, a milder cleaning agent than borax.
Instead of sprinkling borax in the bottom of your trash can, try baking soda or used (or fresh) coffee grinds, which all work wonders. You can also use baking soda and water to clean your trash can. Throw in some vinegar for extra odor-fighting action.
Mineral Bath
Add warm water to the bathtub or footbath. Add minerals and mix thoroughly. Soak for 20-30 minutes. **Do Not use borax in the forms of sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, disodium tetraborate, or boric acid as these can be toxic as well as irritating to the skin.
Amongst many other advantages, Borax assists in the saponification of any organic oils and fats that may be soiling the linen weave. Oxiclean on the other hand is a fully built Hydrogen Peroxide producing, colour-safe bleach additive which can be used as a soaker or as a detergent additive.