Is Borax Eco-Friendly and Safe? The Answer May Surprise You

When it comes to cleaning products, there are a lot of different options to choose from. If you prefer to use natural cleaning products and avoid harsh chemicals, you probably check the ingredients of a cleaning product before using it.

Borax is one of the most popular natural cleaning products and it’s used in a lot of DIY cleaning recipes, but is borax eco-friendly and safe to use?

In this article, we’ll take look at the details to see if borax is a good choice as a cleaner. We will also explore whether or not borax is safe for pets and children. Read on to learn more!

Product	Our Rating	Price
E-Cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloth 4-Pack E-Cloth, just add water for multiple cleaning purposes and surfaces, always have one available Microfibers trap and remove dirt, debris, grime, and over 99% of bacteria from hard surfaces and appliances just using water Easy to use, machine washable, eco-friendly, and effective	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Effectively Controls Odors No rinsing or wiping is required after using (even on food contact surfaces) When used as directed, kills 99.99% of household germs and is effective against the influenza A virus	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes Plant-derived, multi-surface cleaning wipes made without chemicals, no rinsing required even on children's toys or food contact surfaces Antibacterial to disinfect, kills 99.9% of household germs and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew Voted Best Disinfecting Wipes by Parents magazine, cruelty-free	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

Is Borax Eco-Friendly and What Is It?

Borax is a powdery white substance that is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It’s a naturally-occurring mineral that is found in evaporated lakes and hot springs.

Borax has been used for centuries as a cleaning product and it’s still popular today because it’s an effective cleaner and disinfectant. In addition, borax is relatively inexpensive and it’s easy to find in stores. It’s often used to remove stains, mold, and mildew. Borax is also used in commercial products to whiten clothes and remove dirt and odors.

You can find borax in the laundry aisle of most stores. It’s often sold as a powder that you can dissolve in water to use as a laundry booster or cleaner.

Borax is Commonly Used in DIY Cleaning Recipes

One of the reasons why borax is so popular is because it can be used in a lot of different DIY cleaning recipes and is why people ask is borax eco-friendly. Borax is often combined with baking soda, vinegar, and water to create an all-purpose cleaner. It’s also used in many other DIY cleaning recipes because of its impressive cleaning capabilities and because it is natural.

If you’re looking for a natural way to clean your home, you’ve probably come across products or cleaning recipes that use borax. However, it’s important to do your own due diligence to determine if it’s something that you really want in your home.

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Top Choice	Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Powerful triple-enzyme formula fights tough stains Free & clear, hypoallergenic laundry detergent made for sensitive skin Safer ingredients for human health and the environment EPA safer choice certified USDA certified bio based product 96% made with plant-based ingredients	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Excellent Value	Method Liquid Laundry Detergent Featuring plant-based stain lifting power For high efficiency and standard washers Biodegradable and hypoallergenic formula Cruelty free. Tested by people, not on animals	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
	Planet 2x HE Ultra Laundry Liquid Detergent Works in both standard and high-efficiency washers Hypoallergenic - suitable for people with chemical sensitivities and babies Free & Clear formula - no added fragrances, dyes or synthetic preservatives Certified 100% biodegradable; ingredients from plant-based sources Not tested on animals	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

Borax is Natural But Not Safe or Eco-Friendly

Borax is a natural product, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe or eco-friendly. In fact, borax is considered to be a “hazardous substance” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA has classified borax as a hazardous substance because it can cause skin irritation and kidney damage. Borax is also toxic to animals if they ingest it. For these reasons, it’s important to use caution when using products that contain borax or when handling the substance directly.

Borax is also not recommended by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The EWG is a nonprofit organization that rates the safety of cleaning products and other household products.

The European Union (EU) has deemed borax to be a “substance of very high concern.” So as you can see, multiple reputable groups have significant concerns about borax.

As far as environmental impact is concerned, borax is toxic to aquatic life. It can also cause air pollution when it’s released into the environment. Additionally, borax is mined in open pits, which is a process that’s not particularly friendly to the environment.

It may surprise you to find all this out when researching is borax eco-friendly and safe.

Borax Is Not Safe for Children or Pets

Borax is toxic to people and pets. If you have children or pets in your home, you should avoid using borax. This is because borax can be harmful if ingested and it can also cause skin irritation.

If you must use borax, it’s important to take precautions to keep it out of reach of children and pets. You should also avoid using it in areas where children or pets play.

The Short and Long-Term Health Impacts of Borax

There are a number of short and long-term health impacts that have been linked to borax exposure. Short-term effects include skin irritation, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. Long-term effects include kidney damage and reproductive problems.

Borax is also a suspected carcinogen. This means that it has the potential to cause cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm this link.

What Should I Use Instead of Borax?

Fortunately, there are plenty of safe and eco-friendly alternatives to borax that you can use to clean your home. Some of the best options include:

Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be used to clean surfaces in your home.
Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used to remove stains and odors.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and stain remover.
Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that can be used to clean surfaces in your home.

You can also find many eco-friendly and safe cleaning products on the market that don’t contain borax. Some of our favorite brands include Better Life, ECOS, and Seventh Generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is borax safe and natural?

Borax is natural but not safe. It’s a hazardous substance that can cause skin irritation, kidney damage, and respiratory irritation. It’s also toxic to animals if they ingest it. Additionally, borax is not recommended by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) or the European Union (EU).

Is borax considered organic?

Borax is often considered to be organic (it’s a mineral that’s mined from the earth), but it can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans.

Is borax harmful to wildlife?

Yes, borax can be harmful to wildlife. It’s frequently used as a pesticide and for pest control.

Can you use borax on plants?

Borax can be harmful to plants. For this reason, we do not recommend using it on plants.

Is borax safe to touch?

Borax can cause skin irritation. If you must touch it, we recommend wearing gloves and washing your hands afterward.

What is the difference between boric acid and borax?

Boric acid is a derivative of borax. It’s often used as an insecticide and has similar effects as borax (it can cause skin irritation, kidney damage, and respiratory irritation). However, boric acid is more toxic than borax.

Product	Our Rating	Price
E-Cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloth 4-Pack E-Cloth, just add water for multiple cleaning purposes and surfaces, always have one available Microfibers trap and remove dirt, debris, grime, and over 99% of bacteria from hard surfaces and appliances just using water Easy to use, machine washable, eco-friendly, and effective	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Effectively Controls Odors No rinsing or wiping is required after using (even on food contact surfaces) When used as directed, kills 99.99% of household germs and is effective against the influenza A virus	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes Plant-derived, multi-surface cleaning wipes made without chemicals, no rinsing required even on children's toys or food contact surfaces Antibacterial to disinfect, kills 99.9% of household germs and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew Voted Best Disinfecting Wipes by Parents magazine, cruelty-free	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

Final Thoughts on Is Borax Eco-Friendly or Safe?

As you can see, the answer to the question is borax eco-friendly or safe is no. If you’re looking for a natural and safe alternative to clean your home, we recommend using vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide. You can also find many eco-friendly and safe cleaning products on the market that don’t contain borax.