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Borax aka sodium tetraborate: unraveling the facts and myths behind this commonly used household ingredient
You may have heard the term borax powder or sodium tetraborate. It is also called boric acid or disodium tetraborate.
In nature, borax occurs as the mineral borax. Borax is formed when water and salt evaporate. Borax is often mined in countries such as Romania, Turkey and America.
Borax is used in the production of the following products;
- Flame retardants
- Dental products (In the past, not anymore recently because it is toxic)
- Glass, pottery and ceramics
- Flux
Borax is poorly soluble in cold water, please use warm water.
Borax or sodium tetraborate:
Borax (sodium tetraborate) is readily soluble in water, glycerol and ethanol. Borax (Sodium tetraborate) is known as E285.
What are the uses of Borax?
- Flux (flux for soldering)
- Desiccant
- Detergent / detergent booster
- Household cleaning product
- Water softener
- Preservative (E285)
- Remove rust
- Drain unblocker
Sodium tetraborate as a flux agent
Borax can be used as a flux for soldering. This is also called flux. Borax can prevent strong oxidation on metal and it promotes the flow of metal.
Can also be used in forging. Think of this when rolling steel on steel.
Borax as a Drying Agent
You can use borax as a drying agent. For example, you can dry flowers in borax.
Use a sealable bucket for this. Put the flowers you want to dry in the bucket. The drying time varies and differs per flower. Do not leave the flowers in the bucket for too long. By drying multiple flowers in the same container you often get a much nicer result.
When are your flowers dry? Carefully feel the leaves, when they feel like paper the flowers are dry.
Sodium tetraborate as a detergent/builder
Borax can be used as a detergent / laundry detergent. It ensures that stains and odors are better removed. Works well in combination with vinegar (this then works as a fabric softener). For this, add a cup of borax to your wash and you can add a dash of vinegar.
The borax also enhances the effectiveness of your detergent.
For example, you can mix 2 small tablespoons of borax with warm water and vinegar and this will work as a rinse aid.
Borax as a household cleaner
If you mix 4% borax in warm water, the mixture has a pH of 9.4. This is a powerful degreaser, it also disinfects and absorbs unpleasant odors.
You can remove dirty spots on your toilet by mixing lemon juice with borax powder and applying it to the dirty spots. Let it soak in and flush.
You can sprinkle your borax over a damp sponge. This way you can use borax as a powdered cleaning agent. Rinse the cleaned surfaces well with water.
Borax as a water softener
Borax powder softens water. It is therefore used in water softeners.
Borax as a preservative (E285)
Borax is a synthetic preservative. In many countries the substance is banned as a preservative. Can be dangerous when ingested. Is hardly used in the food industry, but is used a lot in the pharmaceutical industry.
Borax as a rust remover
With borax you can remove rust from all types of surfaces. With some lemon juice with two tablespoons of borax. Apply this to the rust spots. Let this sit for about an hour and remove it with a damp cloth.
Borax as a drain unblocker
Because borax has acidic properties, it may work as a good drain unblocker. Mix one to half cup of borax with boiling water. Pour this into the drain or pipe.
Let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Then rinse it with warm or boiling water.
How safe is sodium tetraborate powder actually?
Borax powder is neurotoxic. It is harmful to the kidneys and liver of humans.
It can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, and can also cause hypersensitivity reactions. Borax powder can affect fertility and can harm an unborn child. (Only harmful in large quantities, 15/20 grams oral intake could cause death) Keep out of reach of children.
Borax powder used to be used in dental products and gargles. When it was discovered that it was toxic when swallowed, these products were taken off the market.
In the cosmetics industry it is used to a limited extent, but is (still) permitted under strict conditions.