Borax
Borax
Borax (Sodium Tetraborate)
Our Borax (borax decahydrate) is sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring mineral salt that is water-soluble and has been a laundry and household staple for generations. Traditionally used as an alternative to harsher chemicals, it has a wide range of uses around the home and the craft table.
Typical uses include all-purpose cleaning and water softening, freshening laundry and neutralising odours, and soap making, where it is used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap and as an ingredient in laundry and household soaps. Borax should be handled with care: wear gloves, avoid breathing the dust and keep it away from children.
|
Borax decahydrate Naturally occurring mineral salt |
Laundry and cleaning Water softening and freshening |
Soap making Neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap |
500 g to 10 kg Five pack sizes |
Safety information: borax may damage fertility and the unborn child. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, avoid breathing the dust and wear gloves and eye protection. Check the current NZ cosmetic rules before using it in any product that is applied to skin. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Borax (Sodium Tetraborate) |
| Chemical name / CAS | Disodium tetraborate, CAS 1303-96-4 (decahydrate form) |
| Formula | Na2B4O7·10H2O (decahydrate), molecular weight about 381 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules |
| Odour | Odourless |
| pH | About 9.2 (1% solution, typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water (about 4–5 g per 100 mL at 20 °C); dissolves faster in warm water |
| Hazard summary | Classified in many jurisdictions as a reproductive toxicant (may damage fertility or the unborn child). Eye irritant as a dust |
| Suitable for | Laundry boosting, household cleaning, soap making (liquid soap, laundry and household soaps), craft projects (such as slime) with adult handling |
| Not suitable for | Food, internal use, or use by children. Borates are restricted in cosmetic products under the NZ Cosmetic Products Group Standard, so check the current standard before using borax in any product applied to skin |
| Pack Sizes | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from children, pets and food |
| Use | Raw material for household and craft use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Laundry booster | Add to the wash with your usual detergent to help lift grubby, smelly or stained laundry |
| Household cleaning | Dissolve in warm water for general cleaning, or mix to a paste for scrubbing. Wear gloves and rinse well |
| Soap making | Used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap, and as an ingredient in laundry and household soaps |
| Freshening and odours | Dissolve in warm water to freshen laundry, bins and surfaces and to neutralise odours |
| Craft projects | Used as a slime activator and in other crafts. Adults should handle the powder and supervise all use |
How to Use Borax as a Laundry Booster
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dust when measuring.
- Measure. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup (roughly 50–100 g) for a normal wash load.
- Add to the machine. Sprinkle into the drum with the washing, or dissolve in warm water first.
- Wash as usual. Add your detergent as normal and wash on your usual cycle.
- Store safely. Close the container tightly and store it away from children, pets and food.
Tip: Dissolving borax in a jug of warm water first helps it spread evenly through the wash and stops lumps in cold water.
Usage Starting Points ▼
These are common household starting points, not fixed rules. Test on a small hidden area first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry load | 1/4–1/2 cup (about 50–100 g) | Add to the drum with your detergent. |
| Cleaning solution | 1 tbsp in 1 L warm water | Wipe on, then rinse well. |
| Scrubbing paste | Borax and a little water | Wear gloves. Rinse well afterwards. |
Do not use on surfaces that touch food unless they are rinsed thoroughly.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Borax will not dissolve | Water too cold | Use warm water and stir. It dissolves slowly in cold water. |
| White residue on clothes | Too much used, or not dissolved | Use less and dissolve in warm water before adding to the wash. |
| Powder is lumpy | Absorbed moisture | Store in a sealed container in a dry place. |
| Skin feels dry or irritated after handling | Contact with the powder or solution | Wear gloves. Rinse skin with water if contact occurs. |
Safety & Handling ▼
Borax can damage fertility and the unborn child. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and pets, avoid breathing the dust and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, avoid handling it. Wash hands after use.
Borates are restricted in cosmetic products under the NZ Cosmetic Products Group Standard. If you make soap or any product for sale that is applied to skin, check the current standard and your own safety assessment before using borax.
If swallowed, rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting and call the NZ National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766. In an emergency call 111.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is borax?
Sodium tetraborate (borax decahydrate), a naturally occurring mineral salt used in laundry, cleaning, soap making and craft projects.
Can I use it in soap?
Borax is traditionally used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap, and in laundry and household soaps. Check the current NZ cosmetic rules and your own safety assessment for any product applied to skin.
Is it the same as boric acid?
No. They are related boron compounds but are different products.
Can children use it for slime?
Adults should handle the powder and supervise all use. Children should not handle the powder, and hands should be washed after play.
How should I store it?
Sealed, cool and dry, away from children, pets and food.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per kg |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g | $4.50 | $9.00 |
| 1 kg | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 2 kg | $14.00 | $7.00 |
| 5 kg | $36.00 | $7.20 |
| 10 kg | $70.00 | $7.00 |
Pairs Well With
For soap making and laundry, pair with liquid castile-style soap base, castor oil and olive oil. For laundry, pair with soda ash (washing soda), and add baking soda for freshening. For cleaning sprays, add a few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil. Browse all raw ingredients. |
 Product Documents
|
Couldn't load pickup availability
Borax (Sodium Tetraborate)
Our Borax (borax decahydrate) is sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring mineral salt that is water-soluble and has been a laundry and household staple for generations. Traditionally used as an alternative to harsher chemicals, it has a wide range of uses around the home and the craft table.
Typical uses include all-purpose cleaning and water softening, freshening laundry and neutralising odours, and soap making, where it is used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap and as an ingredient in laundry and household soaps. Borax should be handled with care: wear gloves, avoid breathing the dust and keep it away from children.
|
Borax decahydrate Naturally occurring mineral salt |
Laundry and cleaning Water softening and freshening |
Soap making Neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap |
500 g to 10 kg Five pack sizes |
Safety information: borax may damage fertility and the unborn child. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, avoid breathing the dust and wear gloves and eye protection. Check the current NZ cosmetic rules before using it in any product that is applied to skin. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Borax (Sodium Tetraborate) |
| Chemical name / CAS | Disodium tetraborate, CAS 1303-96-4 (decahydrate form) |
| Formula | Na2B4O7·10H2O (decahydrate), molecular weight about 381 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules |
| Odour | Odourless |
| pH | About 9.2 (1% solution, typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water (about 4–5 g per 100 mL at 20 °C); dissolves faster in warm water |
| Hazard summary | Classified in many jurisdictions as a reproductive toxicant (may damage fertility or the unborn child). Eye irritant as a dust |
| Suitable for | Laundry boosting, household cleaning, soap making (liquid soap, laundry and household soaps), craft projects (such as slime) with adult handling |
| Not suitable for | Food, internal use, or use by children. Borates are restricted in cosmetic products under the NZ Cosmetic Products Group Standard, so check the current standard before using borax in any product applied to skin |
| Pack Sizes | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from children, pets and food |
| Use | Raw material for household and craft use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Laundry booster | Add to the wash with your usual detergent to help lift grubby, smelly or stained laundry |
| Household cleaning | Dissolve in warm water for general cleaning, or mix to a paste for scrubbing. Wear gloves and rinse well |
| Soap making | Used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap, and as an ingredient in laundry and household soaps |
| Freshening and odours | Dissolve in warm water to freshen laundry, bins and surfaces and to neutralise odours |
| Craft projects | Used as a slime activator and in other crafts. Adults should handle the powder and supervise all use |
How to Use Borax as a Laundry Booster
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dust when measuring.
- Measure. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup (roughly 50–100 g) for a normal wash load.
- Add to the machine. Sprinkle into the drum with the washing, or dissolve in warm water first.
- Wash as usual. Add your detergent as normal and wash on your usual cycle.
- Store safely. Close the container tightly and store it away from children, pets and food.
Tip: Dissolving borax in a jug of warm water first helps it spread evenly through the wash and stops lumps in cold water.
Usage Starting Points ▼
These are common household starting points, not fixed rules. Test on a small hidden area first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry load | 1/4–1/2 cup (about 50–100 g) | Add to the drum with your detergent. |
| Cleaning solution | 1 tbsp in 1 L warm water | Wipe on, then rinse well. |
| Scrubbing paste | Borax and a little water | Wear gloves. Rinse well afterwards. |
Do not use on surfaces that touch food unless they are rinsed thoroughly.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Borax will not dissolve | Water too cold | Use warm water and stir. It dissolves slowly in cold water. |
| White residue on clothes | Too much used, or not dissolved | Use less and dissolve in warm water before adding to the wash. |
| Powder is lumpy | Absorbed moisture | Store in a sealed container in a dry place. |
| Skin feels dry or irritated after handling | Contact with the powder or solution | Wear gloves. Rinse skin with water if contact occurs. |
Safety & Handling ▼
Borax can damage fertility and the unborn child. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and pets, avoid breathing the dust and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, avoid handling it. Wash hands after use.
Borates are restricted in cosmetic products under the NZ Cosmetic Products Group Standard. If you make soap or any product for sale that is applied to skin, check the current standard and your own safety assessment before using borax.
If swallowed, rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting and call the NZ National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766. In an emergency call 111.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is borax?
Sodium tetraborate (borax decahydrate), a naturally occurring mineral salt used in laundry, cleaning, soap making and craft projects.
Can I use it in soap?
Borax is traditionally used as a neutraliser and thickener in liquid soap, and in laundry and household soaps. Check the current NZ cosmetic rules and your own safety assessment for any product applied to skin.
Is it the same as boric acid?
No. They are related boron compounds but are different products.
Can children use it for slime?
Adults should handle the powder and supervise all use. Children should not handle the powder, and hands should be washed after play.
How should I store it?
Sealed, cool and dry, away from children, pets and food.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per kg |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g | $4.50 | $9.00 |
| 1 kg | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 2 kg | $14.00 | $7.00 |
| 5 kg | $36.00 | $7.20 |
| 10 kg | $70.00 | $7.00 |
Pairs Well With
For soap making and laundry, pair with liquid castile-style soap base, castor oil and olive oil. For laundry, pair with soda ash (washing soda), and add baking soda for freshening. For cleaning sprays, add a few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil. Browse all raw ingredients. |
|
Product Documents
|
