It turns out that this naturally-occurring mineral salt that comes from boron isn't as non-toxic as predicted. In fact, studies show that ingesting and inhaling borax can lead to major adverse effects, from respiratory issues to digestive problems.
However, if inhalation or ingestion occurs, both serious poisoning and organ damage can result. Ingesting borax can also lead to reproductive issues, including with the testes, a developing fetus, and fertility.
Keep borax in a sealed container away from children just as you do with ANY cleaning agent, even natural ones. Natural cleaning agents are safe to use around pets and children, but you don't want them getting into the container. Do not use borax for skincare or topical use. It is for cleaning only.
Is borax safe? This is a hotly contested topic and, as with most things, borax can be safe when used properly. However, it's worth noting that borax can be lethal when ingested. Toxic levels for children are 5-6 grams—or roughly a half teaspoon; for adults, the toxic dose is 10-25 grams.
Freshen the air
Since commercial air fresheners may contain carcinogens and other toxins, consider borax as a green alternative: make a solution of three parts warm water to one part borax, transfer to a spray bottle, and add five to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Spray away!
Borax is best known as a laundry aid, but it makes a great natural carpet cleaner. In addition to being free of phosphates and chlorine, borax is very affordable and readily available from discount stores such as Walmart and Target.
It is also no longer commonly used in medical preparations. Studies by the EPA have linked it to reproductive problems, kidney and liver problems, nervous system issues, and it is a skin and lung irritant. The other big issue with borax is that it accumulates in your body.
It is an insecticide and kills them on contact. It also makes treated material unappealing for termites to eat. Borax is also a digestive poison and repellent that keeps termites away. Depending on the level of borate concentrate, the pesticide can poison the termite over an extended period.
Kill Boxelder Beetles and Other Pests
Ants aren't the only thing borax will kill. In fact, many companies make borax insecticides designed to get rid of household pests. Sprinkle borax powder along the edges of your sidewalk, foundation, and driveway to get rid of boxelder beetles and cockroaches.
1. Toilet Cleaning. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of Borax and ½ cup of white vinegar into your toilet bowl, ensuring you reach all areas (including under the rim). Leave for at least 8 hours (or overnight) then scrub thoroughly with a brush before flushing.
Create a thick paste of borax and water, apply to the mildewy area, and let it sit overnight. Then, brush away the loose powder and rinse the rest off! This could not be easier, and it really makes a difference when it comes to removing mildew and discoloration from grout.
Borax is also a great natural cockroach killer. Compared to most chemical pest control treatments, it's a relatively low-risk product.
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.
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.
Dampen the brush; sprinkle borax liberally onto the wet brush, and then scrub. Your toilet with glisten without a single toxic fume. When applied around the foundation of your house, borax will keep ants and spiders from entering your home.
Robin Jacobson, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Medical Center, warns families to stay away from the white powder altogether. "Borax can cause burns, especially when you touch it multiple times," she says. "When you're mixing it up, Borax can get in the air and irritate your airways.
Borax helps lift any stains or materials, meaning you don't have to scrub as long. How to do it: Just sprinkle half a cup or borax into the bowl. Let it sit for an hour, then brush and flush. For hard water stains, leave the borax on overnight.
If you feel that the bedbug infestations are spreading day by day, you can go for the borax powder. Borax powder is a good bed bug exterminator, which you can use by sprinkling on the mattress or the furniture. In this way, you will be able to eradicate the bedbugs from your home.
Fill a spray bottle to the brim with water and spray all over the borax-covered mattress. This should work fine in suffocating and killing the bedbugs. Another way to get rid of the bedbugs using borax is by washing the bed sheets or blankets infested with bedbugs with a mixture of hot water and borax.
Borax (sodium tetraborate) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) aren't the same thing. They're both salts, and they're both popular as “green” household cleaning agents, but borax has a pH of 9.5, compared to baking soda's pH of 8. This makes borax considerably more alkaline than baking soda.
Borax and Wash Soda for Tough Stains
You've tried everything, and the stink is just not coming out. They aren't destined for the trash just yet; you can give borax and washing soda a try. You might even add a little white vinegar for good measure. Fill your tub with cold water.
If you will be using the solution on a carpet, then use ¼ cup Borax, ¼ cup Salt and ¼ cup Vinegar. Use your sponge or towel to apply the mixture to the stain. If it's on a sofa, be sure to just blot the solution onto the stain. If the stain is on the carpet, then scrub away!