The key difference between borax and baking soda is that the borax is a sodium borate that appears as a white solid whereas the baking soda is a sodium bicarbonate that appears as white crystals. Borax is a term that describes a class of chemical compounds that include hydrated and anhydrous sodium borate.
But you can do the same by using baking soda as a substitute for borax. Baking soda can brighten and soften clothing and lower the pH of hard water just as borax does, but it's risk-free and non-toxic.
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.
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.
Household Uses of Borax
The best-known use for borax is as a cleaner, but you can find the ingredient in many other household products, including: Specialty toothpastes and mouthwashes. Cosmetics such as lotions, skin creams, moisturizers, sunscreen, and acne care products. Paint and ceramic glaze.
You simply fill your bathtub with hot water and let your laundry soak in a mixture of baking soda, Borax, and laundry detergent. It works great for towels, bedsheets, and other linens, but you can also use the method for clothes if you do so with care.
Borax and vinegar are two safe ingredients that can be combined to create a good general cleaning solution. Undiluted vinegar and borax can also be used for mildew removal. When mixing Borax with other ingredients, it is essential to use warm water to help it dissolve.
Borax Substitute is sodium sesquicarbonate - a mineral compound, with similar pH to borax, making it ideal for cleaning and laundry. It is gentler than Soda Crystals yet stronger than Bicarbonate of Soda.
Borax and boric acid are two different formulations of the same compound. Borax is a mineral that is taken straight from the ground (a form of the element Boron) and used in cleaning products. Boric acid is its extracted, processed and refined form, found in a variety of chemical products.
Borax has been used for thousands of years to help launder clothes and clean surfaces because it also softens water in the same way washing soda does. However, the molecules in borax are much less “sharp” so they dissolve in water more easily change the composition of the molecule itself.
"20 Mule Team" is the borax brand that you're most likely to come across. It's sold in a white box with red lettering and touches of green.
That's what is in Borax 20 Mule Team It's actually 95% Boron, mixed with sodium and oxygen, and is mined in California. Mule Team Borax powder takes the Boron and makes it into a powder that is easy to use for so many things.
To begin, soda crystals and borax are not one and the same. Both contain sodium, but soda crystals (sometimes known as washing soda) are sodium carbonate, whereas borax is sodium borate. Both chemicals are alkaline and have been used for many years for a variety of cleaning tasks around the home.
Borax is found as an ingredient in all-purpose cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, laundry detergent (including some labeled as “natural”), laundry stain removers, air fresheners, dish detergents, glass cleaners, diaper creams, pesticides (to kill ants) and herbicides as well as and some “slimy”, pliable toys like ...
Washing soda (sodium carbonate) has a very high pH level, making it an extreme alkaline compound that is very effective as a cleaning agent. Borax (sodium tetraborate) pH levels aren't as high as washing soda, and it doesn't have the same cleaning power as washing soda.
Technical grade. What is borax: In the UK, Borax also called sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is sold as a naturally occurring mineral compound best known as a laundry booster and water softener. Borax is also excellent as a multi-purpose household cleaner with many uses throughout the house including craft projects.
Ingredients: Borax is a naturally occurring compound made up of boron, sodium, and oxygen. OxiClean's active ingredient is sodium percarbonate, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water. Uses: Borax is most commonly used as a laundry aid, although it can be an all-purpose cleaner as well.
Borax can be found in larger grocery stores, as well as big-box stores and discount stores. Many stores carry it in the laundry detergent aisle, while some have it in the general cleaning supplies section.
I use this to brush my teeth (sprinkled on toothpaste) and also put in capsules for internal use (it is highly alkaline and helps detoxify fluoride which they add to my local tap water).
Neutralize laundry odors: Borax inhibits fungi and mold4, which often grow in the moist environment of your washing machine and are notorious for giving it a musty odor. It also helps to get rid of ammonia odor in baby clothes, diapers, bed pads, and incontinence pads.
Mix the warm water with the borax until dissolved. In a spray bottle, add in this borax water, vinegar, and soap. Give it a little shake. This works exceptionally well on ceramic showers, outside of toilets, sinks, bathroom counters, bathroom floors, and anything around the bathroom.
Borax is available at major retailers nationwide for purchase in-store. You can also buy online at participating sites.
Anhydrous borax or sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7) Borax pentahydrate (Na2B4O7·5H2O) Borax decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O)
ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda is 100% sodium carbonate and it is used as a laundry booster and general household cleaner.