Is Borax Safe to Use for Natural Cleaning?

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It may be natural, but is borax safe? This is a question I’ve tackled before but is worth another look as it is in the news more than ever.

No longer just a cleaner our grandmothers used, borax is enjoying new popularity as a wonder ingredient for natural cleaning. It’s found in many recipes for homemade cleaners, or for preserving homemade beauty products. It is also a primary ingredient in my popular all-purpose cleaner and laundry detergent. What’s more, it’s a common ingredient in the many of the homemade slime recipes so many of our kids love.

Since I continue to get lots of questions about the safety of borax, let’s take a fresh look at the controversy and see how it stacks up.

What Is Borax?

Borax, of the mule team variety, is sodium tetraborate or sodium borate (to get all official for a second) and NOT boric acid (hydrogen borate).

Sodium tetraborate (hereafter referred to as borax) is a salt of boric acid but it is not chemically the same. This is a common misconception on the Internet, apparently, and if you’ve read an article claiming it is dangerous that goes on about the dangers of boric acid or says they are the same thing, I would not consider that article credible.

Of special concern is whether or not borax is safe to use around children, since many times young children are crawling on (or, let’s face it, licking) surfaces that may have been cleaned with borax.

Another reason borax has been in the news lately is its use as a main ingredient in homemade slime recipes. Natural or not, borax isn’t meant to be eaten at any time and there is always a chance of harm (even with careful supervision) when kids are using household chemicals. Caution is definitely warranted and this is one reason we use a borax-free slime recipe just in case.

Borax vs. Boric Acid vs. Sodium Borate

All of these are used as natural pesticides, which is probably the reason for the misconception that they are the same. However, boric acid carries a risk for toxicity at a much lower dose than borax does if ingested.

Borax is used in the process of making boric acid, but there is a tremendous chemical difference between the two. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, though of course, that doesn’t make it inert or safe either. (Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid but it isn’t safe for human use. Natural doesn’t always mean safe.)

Why does this matter? It matters because the studies used to back up the safety (or danger) of borax often use boric acid, or are often ambiguous about which was used.

The product safety data also combines borax and boric acid, making it is unclear which substance the various warnings pertain to. These cautions read like:

This product is white, odorless, crystalline powder. Direct contact with eyes may cause severe irritation with redness, pain, blurred vision, and possibly corneal injury. Repeated or prolonged excessive exposure with skin can result in irritation.

No chronic health effects are expected from the intended use of these products or from foreseeable handling of them in the workplace. Nonetheless, the following effects have been reported for a component, sodium borate, and boric acid. Sodium borate upon entry into the body becomes boric acid. Sodium borate and boric acid interfere with sperm production, damage the testes and interfere with male fertility when given to animals by mouth at high doses.

Note that these menacing-sounding warnings relate mainly to skin contact, eye contact, or when it was “given ..by mouth at high doses” in animal studies.

You know what else can irritate the eyes and skin and even cause digestive problems at high doses? Vinegar or oregano essential oil (caused a cornea burn in my mother in law), and probably cayenne pepper too. That doesn’t mean that those things aren’t safe but just that that we must use them safely.

Borax Safety Hazards & Precautions

Borax is extremely alkaline, which makes it irritating when used undiluted. It makes sense not to use any form — borax, sodium borate, or boric acid — as an eyewash or skin scrub. You should also never drink or ingest it in any way.

However, this still doesn’t answer the question about if occasional indirect contact (in things like cleaning products) is safe.

Here’s the full material data safety sheet if you want some light reading.

That data sheet does give it a safety rating of “1” which is the same as baking soda and salt. (I wouldn’t recommend putting those in your eye or rubbing large amounts on the skin constantly or ingesting large amounts daily either.)

The Environmental Working Group lists borax as a safety rating of 5-6, though again, the studies used contained both borax and boric acid and the warnings referred to ingestion, eye contact, or long-term undiluted use.

What About Boron?

As with so many things in the health world, there is a flip side to the concerns. Boron is a trace element (atomic number 5) and a fascinating character (because I am a dork and easily fascinated by chemistry). It turns out, there is a biological need for boron in small amounts. Studies show boron plays a key role in healthy cell membrane functions and is especially important for bone health.

Side note: The boron family may be considered non-toxic to humans in lower amounts, but these products are more dangerous to insects (thus their use as a pesticide):

In biology, borates have low toxicity in mammals (similar to table salt), but are more toxic to arthropods and are used as insecticides. Boric acid is mildly antimicrobial, and a natural boron-containing organic antibiotic is known. Boron is essential to life. Small amounts of boron compounds play a strengthening role in the cell walls of all plants, making boron necessary in soils. Experiments indicate a role for boron as an ultratrace element in animals, but its role in animal physiology is unknown.

But Is Borax Toxic or Not?

There are a lot of confounding factors based on the source. And lots of differing opinions too. The main points I found in researching were:

  • Actual warnings relate to eye irritation, undiluted skin contact, and ingestion.
  • The FDA and the ECA (European Chemicals Agency) banned borax as a substance of high concern but didn’t provide any documentation other than soil level dangers.
  • The European Union and Canada have banned the use of borax not just in food but in body care products made for children under the age of 3, according to this EWG article. This may be reasonable since being applied directly the skin (not the case in cleaning products or laundry detergent residue).
  • I was unable to find any studies that proved a danger to borax in natural cleaning products in diluted amounts as long as it didn’t get into the eyes or wasn’t ingested.
  • The EWG Skin Base Database classified borax as a moderate hazard, but most of the studies and listings related to its use in food.

In the event of accidental ingestion, certainly contact your local emergency service or the American Association of Poison Control Centers immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

The Bottom Line on Borax Safety?

I could not find any data that was compelling enough for me to avoid natural borax powder completely. Obviously, I would not ingest it or feel comfortable using it in cosmetic or food preparations.

At the same time, most products I use borax in aren’t coming in direct, undiluted contact with my skin, I’m not ingesting them and I’m not getting them in or near my eyes, so most of the concerns and warnings are not valid.

Also, I’m using homemade products with borax to replace things like regular laundry detergent or cleaners that rate “D” or “F” on the EWG Database.

Borax is an effective natural cleaner and a safer alternative to many conventional cleaners. Yes, it is also a pesticide, but a natural one (and great at getting rid of ants- here’s a great tutorial) but I’m yet to find conclusive evidence that it is either safe or harmful to humans (other than if it is ingested, rubbed in the eyes, etc.).

What I Personally Do

I still consider borax safe for use in natural cleaning, but absolutely do your own research and make sure you are using appropriately in any capacity. I use a natural borax powder so it is free of any added surfactants or detergents, but Mule Team Borax is also considered a pure/natural form of borax.

Bottom line, I always advocate that every mom should listen to their gut (and the research, of course). If you aren’t comfortable using borax in your home, this line of green cleaning products may be a great option for you. (To hear more about why I trust them, listen to my interview with the founder in this Wellness Mama podcast.)

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

What are your thoughts on borax? Do you consider it safe enough to use for homemade creations?

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

210 responses to “Is Borax Safe to Use for Natural Cleaning?”

  1. Ronit Avatar

    A tablespoon of the solution or a tablespoon of borax? I also take a few tablespoons of the solution daily (rounded teaspoon of borax in quart of water). I increased the dose recently and my nails just stopped breaking and getting chipped!

  2. Jeri Avatar

    Not only do I consider it safe. But I drink a tablespoon of it daily to get rid of my arthritis pain. It works great and it’s cheap.

  3. Rhonda Avatar

    I have used Borax for years and years. I have had every test run this year possible. I am in complete great health along with my immune system. My problem that was found is arthritis and Borax did NOT cause this. My parents used Borafax ointment on all their children and not diaper rash or problems. The problem with things today is they are taking to many things off the market that our parent, grand parents, great grand parents used. These people lived to be late 80’s to 100 years old. Now with so many things being taken off the market people are getting more diseases and dying earlier.

  4. Siana Avatar

    I am using borax tetrahydrate in a drink right now and am having no I’ll effects. I didn’t do that in response to this article as I am not a dedicated scientist but because it is called for in a drink to help with fasting. It helps to keep you hydrated since water is a diuretic while fasting and allowed the body to go longer whole fasting without ill effects.

    Hope this helps as far as questions on safety of borax consumption/contact. Also, I know of at least five other people who have consumed it as I am, in low doses, and are fine – and plenty more I don’t actually know but have all claimed to have taken in in low quantities and have no ill effects.

    Also, arsenic occurs naturally in peach pits which are safe to ingest and the arsenic actually helps your body. So, there are a lot of misconceptions out there pertaining to the safety and health benefits of substances where so-called “unsafe for human consumption” labels are concerned.

  5. kanta Avatar

    Just read ALL the comments. Katie, what is your final decision regarding Borax. Did you get anywhere with EWG folks? Sure are many conflicting opinions in the comments about safety both internally and externally. I believe most of us would appreciate clarification and your ultimate conclusion. Thank you!

  6. Nina Avatar

    Would you use borax in a homemade detergent if members of the household had eczema or another skin compromising condition? Even though it would be used as a detergent and therefore washed off of clothing, some other detergents still irritate skin. Based on the research you have done, does using borax in laundry seem like a good and safe idea?

  7. Presouz Avatar

    Are use borax for my arthritis I mix it in a solution. If you watch YouTube earth clinic and borax you get more information

  8. Helen Avatar

    Hi Wellness Mama! I thank you Form this great blog! Today I made the all purpose cleaner and enjoy it from effectiveness to smell! Something I tend to do with DYI products is go for it, and go back to re-read the fine print after. 🙂 Can you clarify in your opinion whether the cleaner with Borax is safe for kitchen counters and other areas when food may come into contact with the surface? I understand we shouldn’t use Borax in food prep of course, but was left a little unsure about surfaces that may come in contact with the cleaner. Thanks so much to you and your community!

  9. Mitt Avatar

    Seventh Generation Settles Class-Action Lawsuit Over ‘Natural’ Claims
    Oct 28, 2016 – After two years of litigation, Seventh Generation agreed to pay a $4.5 million settlement over allegations that it deceptively marketed, labeled, and promoted its cleaning and personal car products as “natural.”

  10. Mitt Avatar

    Please purchase some magnesium oil and have your Mother try rubbing small amounts of the oil onto her aching joints. I swear the magnesium takes away pain within seconds. It really is miraculous.

  11. Mitt Avatar

    I do not recommend Mrs. Meyer’s products. The dish washing liquid I purchased was so smelly/perfumey that I had to return it. When I’m in the local Ace Hardware store and see Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products, I want to warn people against buying any of it.

  12. Merrijane Avatar
    Merrijane

    I have a quick question I was thinking of trying it instead if citric acid in this bath fizzy thing. And from your article I don’t see a problem. What do you think?

    1. Robert Avatar

      You mean boric acid instead of citric acid? It dissolves more slowly, which may be a help or a hindrance to the fizzy’s function, but in general it’ll work. The product of boric acid and sodium bicarbonate in bath water will be sodium borate, which has been safely used in bath salts for many years.

      You should adjust for the different molecular weight of boric acid from that of citric acid.

  13. Ronit Avatar

    Of course! We take it orally every day. There are so many benefits. I have started many arthritic people on it and they all thrive due to it, for example they can walk again!

  14. Ronit Avatar

    I just don’t believe it.

    I have a friend who had a serious motorbike accident. I recommended borax to her so she did her own research and now she is taking pinches of borax a day, much more than I take. She is finding it very helpful for re-growing her shattered bones back. She noticed a big difference in pain after a week or so. She’s thrilled with it.

  15. Elley Avatar

    EWG’s website gives 20 mule team borax an F rating as far as I can tell…for yhe ingredient of sodium borate. That seems pretty bad to me. Has that changed recently from the time of this posting?

  16. Paula Avatar

    I was wondering if you had a suggestion for the charcoal mascara flaking. I tried adding extra glycerin but it didn’t work out.

  17. Carole Avatar

    What about using borax in home made liquid soap? Is it risky or safe please

  18. Sandra Norris Avatar
    Sandra Norris

    Thanks for your useful information. I watched many Youtube videos that suggested taking 1/4 of a teaspoon dissolved in 12 – 16 oz. of water…..to counteract the harmful effects of chemtrails…(detox from heavy metals). I bought a box of 20 Mule Team Borax today, but felt I should do more research before taking. I suppose I’ll use it to clean my laundry, instead of my innards.

  19. Yvonne Forsman Avatar
    Yvonne Forsman

    Great info, thanks! I found this info recently: to detox fluoride from your body/brain mix 1.5 tsp borax with 4 c water in a jar, take 1 tsp of that mixture/day orally. Fluoride, as you know, is added to drinking water, it calcifies the pineal gland and to decalcify it means you become more spiritual, it opens the 3rd eye. Fluoride is also in tooth paste and used by dental hygienists for annual cleaning unless you tell them I don’t want that in my mouth.

    1. MJ Avatar

      That is what I learned from a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Not only will it help your bones, butw ith severe fluorosis: “Continue this for a minimum of three weeks or up to three months if you have severe fluorosis (with one week off a month in line with the scientific study).”

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