Borax powder is a white mineral powder that dissolves in water and has been used in homes for over a century. In India it is sold as a laundry booster, a stain remover, an odour neutraliser and a household pest control aid. This guide covers what borax is, how it differs from boric acid, the household uses it is known for, and the safety rules that go with it.
Buy it here: the borax powder described in this article is Zyax Borax Powder, a naturally sourced mineral powder for laundry, stains, odours and pests.
Shop Zyax Borax PowderWhat is borax powder?
Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate decahydrate, formula Na2B4O7·10H2O. It is a naturally occurring boron mineral, mined from dry lake beds, and supplied as a fine white powder or soft crystals. It dissolves in warm water and the solution is mildly alkaline, with a pH of about 9.2. That alkalinity is the reason it works in laundry: it softens hard water and helps detergent lift grease and dirt.
Borax vs boric acid: what is the difference?
People often mix the two up. Borax is a sodium salt of boric acid. Boric acid (H3BO3) is made by treating borax with a mineral acid. In practice:
- Borax is alkaline. It is the better choice for laundry, cleaning and odour control.
- Boric acid is mildly acidic. It is the better known choice for insect bait, wood protection and boron supplement for plants.
Zyax sells both. Read the companion guide: boric acid powder uses.
Household uses of borax powder
1. Laundry booster
Add half a cup of borax to the wash along with the usual detergent. It softens the water, so the detergent works harder, and it helps brighten whites and lift dullness from colours. It also helps remove the musty smell that builds up in towels and in front-loading machines.
2. Stain removal
For stubborn stains, make a paste of borax and a little water, apply it to the stain, leave it for 15 to 30 minutes and wash as usual. For a whole load with set-in stains, pre-soak the clothes in warm water with half a cup of borax for an hour before washing.
3. Odour control
Borax neutralises odours rather than masking them. Sprinkle it in the bottom of dustbins, on mattresses and carpets before vacuuming, or in shoe cupboards. Leave it for an hour, then vacuum or wipe away.
4. Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens
Borax is a mild abrasive, so it scrubs sinks, tiles, toilets and stovetops without scratching. Sprinkle it on a damp sponge or mix a tablespoon in a litre of warm water for a general surface cleaner. It also helps clear soap scum and hard water marks on taps and shower glass.
5. Household pest management
Borax is one of the oldest home remedies for ants and cockroaches. A bait of borax mixed with sugar or honey, placed along the routes insects use, is carried back to the nest. Keep baits where children and pets cannot reach them. For a ready-to-use herbal alternative that is sprayed rather than placed as bait, see the Zyax Pest Care range.
6. Drains and dishwashers
A quarter cup of borax followed by hot water helps freshen a slow or smelly drain. In a dishwasher, a tablespoon in the detergent compartment helps cut grease and water spots.
7. Garden tools and outdoor furniture
A borax solution cleans mildew and green film off plastic garden chairs, pots and tool handles. Rinse well afterwards. Do not apply borax to soil or plants in quantity: boron is needed by plants only in trace amounts and too much harms them.
How to use Zyax Borax Powder
Dissolve in warm water for laundry, soaking and surface cleaning, or use the dry powder as a sprinkle for odours and as a mild scrub. Keep the pack sealed and dry; borax cakes if it absorbs moisture. Test on a small hidden area of fabric or surface first.
Safety
Zyax Borax Powder is non-toxic in normal household use and safe to use around children and pets when used as directed. Still, it is a mineral salt and should be treated like any cleaning product:
- Do not eat it and keep it out of reach of children.
- Avoid breathing in the dust. Wash hands after use.
- Do not mix it with food or use it on food-contact surfaces without rinsing.
- Rinse skin with water if it causes irritation.
Shop Zyax: get Zyax Borax Powder for the uses above, or Zyax Boric Acid Powder for insect bait, wood and plants.
Shop Zyax Borax PowderFrequently asked questions
Is borax the same as boric acid?
No. Borax is sodium tetraborate, an alkaline salt. Boric acid is made from borax and is mildly acidic. They overlap in some uses but borax is the one for laundry and cleaning.
Can borax be used in a washing machine?
Yes. Add it to the drum or detergent drawer with the normal detergent. It is used in both top-loading and front-loading machines.
Does borax kill ants and cockroaches?
Borax mixed with a sugar bait is a long-used home remedy for ants and cockroaches. The insects carry it back to the nest. Place baits out of reach of children and pets.
Is borax safe around children and pets?
Zyax Borax Powder is non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets when used as directed. Store it closed and out of reach, and never let it be eaten.
Where can I buy borax powder in India?
Zyax Borax Powder ships across India from Mumbai. Order it from the product page linked above.
