Is Borax Safe?

Borax is recommended for a lot of DIY “green cleaning” products around the house, but is borax safe? In this post, we'll cover the basics about borax safety so you can make a more well-informed decision about whether or not to use borax or borax containing products in your home.

When I was a brand-new mom, I thought I would save our family money by using a non-toxic laundry detergent recipe.

Laundry explodes when you have a family, especially a little one who spits up a lot. And if you are using cloth diapers? That's a whole other story.

I had quit my job to become a stay-at-home mom and my husband was a PhD student which meant very little income and lots of tightening of the budget.

One way I worked hard to save us money was by making my own laundry detergent. I tried a few formulas including liquid and a powder made with Fels Naptha soap, and more.

However, along the way, I started hearing concerns about borax safety and wondered if I was causing myself and my family harm with my laundry DIY projects. The more I researched borax, the more confused I became. Some sources treat it like a dangerous poison, while another seem to think concerns were completely overblown.

Borax Safety Ratings

Though it's not perfect, EWG is a one place that many natural-minded people turn to evaluate the products that they make or use.

Upon checking the safety of some of the ingredients in my homemade detergents, I got an unwelcome surprise.

• Washing soda received an A
• Fels-Naptha received a C – and
• naturally-derived Borax received a D.

A D!? Yikes! What's even worse, EWG used to rate borax with an F!

Let's talk about what borax first.

What Is Borax

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral compound made primarily of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. Its proper chemical name is sodium tetraborate.

Borax is mostly sold as a white powder and has been used for decades in laundry products, household cleaners, and some industrial applications.

Borax is related to boron, a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and certain foods. However, borax and boron are not the same thing chemically. Borax contains boron in the form of borate compounds.

When dissolved in water, borax forms borate compounds in solution. Its alkaline nature and water-softening properties are part of what make it effective for cleaning and deodorizing.

Borax vs. Boron: What's the Difference?

Boron is a trace mineral found in foods and supplements. Borax is a mineral compound that contains boron along with sodium, oxygen, and water. Although related, they are not the same thing, and much of the confusion surrounding borax stems from discussions about boron's potential health benefits.

Why Does Borax Work?

Borax is highly alkaline, with a pH of around 9–9.5, which helps it break down grease, deodorize fabrics, and improve cleaning performance.

One reason borax is used in laundry is because it softens hard water. Minerals in hard water can interfere with detergents and leave residue behind, while softened water allows soaps and detergents to work more effectively.

Borax is also often used to help address odors, mildew, and buildup in laundry and washing machines or in damp or mold-prone areas of the home. Some people spray diluted borax solutions on surfaces as part of temporary mold-cleaning routines because borax is alkaline and has mild antifungal properties.

That said, I don’t consider borax a complete solution for significant mold problems or ongoing moisture issues, which need to be addressed at the source.

In addition, borax has mild insecticidal and antifungal properties, which is why it has historically been used in some pest-control and mold-cleaning applications.

Borax Safety Concerns and Precautions

While borax itself is not generally classified as a carcinogen, some regulatory agencies in Europe have raised concerns about reproductive and developmental effects from boron compounds at certain exposure levels.

Borax is also considered a skin and eye irritant, and breathing in the powder can irritate the respiratory tract.

Most concerns about borax safety relate more to repeated exposure and ingestion than to occasional household use.

Why Does EWG Give Borax a Poor Safety Rating?

One reason borax creates so much debate in natural-living circles is that organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) give it relatively poor safety ratings.

These ratings are largely based on concerns about irritation, ingestion risk, and animal studies at certain exposure levels.

Some critics argue that EWG ratings occasionally blur the distinction between hazard and real-world exposure. In other words, a substance may be capable of causing harm under some conditions without necessarily posing the same level of risk during normal household use.

Personally, I think borax is one of those products where context, exposure, and how it’s actually used matter a lot.

Is Borax Safe for Laundry?

Borax has been used for laundry purposes for decades and is often an ingredient in homemade laundry detergents because it can help soften water, reduce odors, and improve cleaning performance.

Many people use borax in laundry without problems, particularly for musty towels, heavily soiled fabrics, or washing machines prone to mildew and odor buildup.

Borax is generally considered color-safe for most washable fabrics when used appropriately, although delicate materials should always be spot tested first.

Because borax is powdered, one of the main practical concerns is avoiding unnecessary dust exposure while handling it.

Why I Use Borax for Laundry

One reason I use borax in laundry is because washing machines—especially front loaders—can develop mold, mildew, biofilm, and persistent musty odors over time.

I’ve found borax helpful for odor issues, laundry buildup, and fabrics exposed to damp or mold-prone environments. I typically dissolve it in hot water before adding it to the wash.

Is it Safe to Ingest Borax Water?

Some people in natural health circles use very small, diluted amounts of borax as a source of boron, often calculating doses to match typical boron supplement levels.

While this approach is based on the fact that borax contains boron, borax itself is not intended or studied as a dietary supplement.

One important note about DIY borax water ingestion protocols is that concentration, dilution, storage, and consistency can vary widely, making it difficult to know exactly how much exposure one is getting over time.

Now, I don't personally think that every natural or traditional practice needs perfect standardization or expensive clinical testing to have value, and I can understand the reasoning behind using very small amounts of borax water as a boron source. However, some of the higher-dose or escalating intake recommendations that are sometimes promoted online give me pause.

Personally, I prefer moderation and obtaining boron primarily from food or supplements intended for consumption.

Pin

Common Questions About Borax

Is borax non-toxic?

Borax is often marketed as a more natural cleaning ingredient, but the term “non-toxic” can sometimes be misleading. While borax is generally considered lower risk than many harsh chemical cleaners when used properly, it can still irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs and should not be ingested.

Is borax safe for laundry?

Borax is commonly used in laundry to help with odors, stains, and hard water issues. Many people use it safely for their laundry, though it’s still smart to avoid breathing in the powder while handling it.

Is borax environmentally friendly?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral and is sometimes considered more environmentally friendly than certain synthetic cleaning ingredients. However, “natural” does not automatically mean harmless, and large amounts of boron compounds can affect plants and aquatic environments.

Is borax carcinogenic?

Borax is not generally classified as a known human carcinogen. Most safety concerns around borax relate more to irritation and potential reproductive or developmental effects at certain exposure levels.

Is borax safe for colored clothes?

Borax is generally considered color-safe for most washable fabrics when used appropriately, though it’s always best to test delicate fabrics first.

Is Borax Safe? My Personal Conclusion

After researching borax more thoroughly, my own view has become more nuanced than simply labeling it “safe” or “unsafe.”

Borax isn’t the extremely dangerous substance it’s sometimes made out to be—but I also don’t think it should automatically be considered completely harmless simply because it’s natural.

Like many household ingredients (and most other things in life) context matters:
how it’s used, how much exposure there is, and whether basic precautions are taken.

I’m personally comfortable using borax for laundry and some household cleaning purposes, while still being mindful about handling it carefully.

For me, the most sensible approach is neither fear nor blind trust, but informed and thoughtful use.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about borax after reading this post.