Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral that has been used as a cleaning booster and laundry brightener for decades. Adding a small amount of borax to your laundry can help remove stains, brighten whites, soften water, deodorize, and disinfect your clothes. Using borax is an economical and eco-friendly way to get laundry that is fresh and clean. Here’s a complete guide on how to use borax for laundry.
Benefits of Using Borax in Laundry
Borax offers several benefits when added to your regular laundry routine:
Acts as a Detergent Booster
- Borax helps enhance the cleaning power of laundry detergent. It tackles tough stains by breaking down dirt and oils.
- The abrasive texture of borax helps scrub off grime and stuck-on messes from fabric.
- It works as a water softener by bonding with minerals like magnesium and calcium to prevent them from bonding with detergent, allowing the detergent to work more effectively.
- Overall, adding borax can boost your detergent’s stain-fighting and cleaning capabilities for better wash results.
Whitens and Brightens Clothes
- The alkaline quality of borax helps remove dulling residue from clothes and brings back their original brightness.
- It bleaches out stains and yellowing from white clothes, making them look crisp and new.
- For colored clothes, borax can help retain vibrancy and prevent fading over time.
Deodorizes and Disinfects Laundry
- Borax has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help kill odor-causing germs in laundry.
- It neutralizes damp, musty smells that can linger in clothes and towels.
- By killing mold and mildew, it helps remove that stale, sour laundry smell.
- Borax provides a deep clean by attacking the bacteria that causes odors at their source.
Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic
- Borax is a natural mineral salt that is safe for most washable fabrics. It does not contain harsh chemicals.
- It is biodegradable and does not harm the environment when washed down the drain.
- Borax is gentler on skin than bleach or other harsh stain removers. It can be used on baby clothes.
- Overall, borax offers an effective green laundry solution without toxic chemicals.
How Much Borax to Use in Laundry
Borax can be added to both front and top loading machines. The amount needed depends on the size of your load:
For Standard Washers:
- Small load (up to 3 lbs): 1/4 cup borax
- Medium load (4-6 lbs): 1/2 cup borax
- Large load (7-8 lbs): 3/4 cup borax
- Extra-large load (9+ lbs): 1 cup borax
For HE Washers:
- Small load (up to 3 lbs): 1-2 tablespoons borax
- Medium load (4-6 lbs): 1/4 cup borax
- Large load (7-8 lbs): 1/3 cup borax
- Extra-large load (9+ lbs): 1/2 cup borax
Always measure borax carefully to avoid using too much. Start with smaller amounts if unsure. One box of borax (4 lbs) can treat up to 320 loads of laundry.
When to Add Borax in the Wash Cycle
To maximize effectiveness, add borax at the right step:
For Top Loaders:
Add borax along with the detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle as the tub fills with water. This allows borax to fully dissolve and work throughout the wash.
For Front Loaders:
Add borax to the detergent dispenser compartment before starting the wash cycle. If your machine only has one slot, mix borax with detergent first before adding together.
For Hand or Portable Washing:
Dissolve borax in hot water before adding clothes. Use continually hot, agitated water to allow borax to work.
Adding borax too late in the cycle will limit its effectiveness. Always allow it to agitate and circulate in the full wash cycle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Borax in Laundry
Follow this simple process for using borax to get maximum cleaning and freshening:
1. Sort Laundry
- Check clothing tags and sort laundry into piles for whites, colors, delicates, and towels.
- Pre-treat any extra dirty or stained spots and clothes. Borax works best with pre-treated stains.
2. Measure Borax
- Measure out the recommended amount of borax for your load size.
- Use a measuring cup for accuracy. Don’t guess amounts.
3. Add to Wash Cycle
- For top loaders, add borax along with detergent at the start of the wash cycle as the tub fills.
- For front loaders, first mix borax with detergent, then add to the dispenser together before starting the wash.
4. Wash Clothes as Normal
- Finish adding clothes to the wash. Set temperature and wash cycle settings as normal.
- Allow the wash cycle to complete fully so borax can work through all stages.
5. Dry Clothes as Usual
After washing with borax, dry clothes normally according to fabric care instructions. No need to change drying method.
And that’s it! Borax will help remove odors, soften fabrics, whiten whites, and disinfect your laundry load.
Tips for Using Borax in Laundry
Follow these tips to get the most out of using borax for laundry:
- Always pre-dissolve borax fully in water before adding clothes.
- Use very hot water when possible to activate and boost borax cleaning power.
- Avoid pouring borax directly on clothes. It may leave white powdery spots.
- When using bleach, add it separately from borax to prevent chemical reactions.
- Adjust borax amount based on water hardness – increase borax for hard water.
- Don’t use borax on silk, wool, or flame retardant fabrics which it may damage.
- For heavy duty cleaning, let clothes soak for 30+ minutes after adding borax.
- Start with smaller amounts of borax until you find the ideal level for your machine.
- Mix borax with laundry detergent for convenience instead of adding separately.
- Store unused borax in a dry sealed container away from direct sunlight.
Why Borax Works Well as a Laundry Booster
There are several key properties that make borax effective for enhanced laundry cleaning:
Abrasive Texture – The granular texture of borax acts as a mechanical cleaner to scrub off dirt and stains from fabric.
Alkalinity – The pH of borax is alkaline, which helps cut through grease and oils while brightening clothes.
Water Softening – Borax bonds to the calcium and magnesium ions that make water hard, preventing them from interfering with cleaning.
Antibacterial Properties – Borax disrupts cell membranes of bacteria and fungi, killing microbes that cause odors and stains.
Cleansing Capability – The sodium ions present in borax turn fats and oils into soap, allowing them to be removed from clothes.
Stain Removal – Borax can dissolve and lift many types of stains through chemical reactions with the stain molecules.
Whitening Ability – The bleaching effect of borax helps restore whites and remove discoloration and yellowing.
Is Using Borax Safe for Clothes?
When used correctly, borax is safe for most types of laundry including baby clothes. Here are some tips for safe use:
- Test borax on a small hidden area first to check for colorfastness.
- Start with a smaller amount and work up to higher amounts slowly.
- Avoid using borax on silk, wool, rayon, spandex or other delicates as it may damage fibers.
- Don’t rub or directly spill borax on clothes as it can leave abrasion marks.
- Use cool water for lightly soiled clothes to prevent over-bleaching from hot water.
- Rinse clothes thoroughly after using borax to remove all traces.
- Scale back borax use if clothes show signs of wear and tear.
Overall, borax is gentle enough for most everyday laundry when used properly. Pay attention to fabric care instructions.
Common Questions About Using Borax for Laundry
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using borax as a laundry booster:
1. Does borax really help clean better than detergent alone?
Yes, borax works to boost stains removal, brighten, deodorize, and disinfect more effectively than detergent alone. The abrasive texture, alkaline pH, and antimicrobial properties provide extra cleaning power.
2. Is borax safe for HE washing machines?
Borax can be used safely in High Efficiency machines but use a smaller amount – 1/2 cup or less per load. Start with 1-2 tablespoons first to avoid buildup.
3. Can I mix borax with bleach?
It’s best to avoid mixing borax directly with bleach. The chemical reaction between borax and bleach can release toxic chlorine gas. Add them separately.
4. Does borax soften water like a water softener?
Borax does not fully soften water like a water softening system. But it binds to calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from interfering with cleaning.
5. How does borax help remove bad laundry odors?
Borax kills the bacteria and mold that causes stale odors. Its alkaline pH also neutralizes acid odors from sweat and body oils.
6. Can I use borax on all colored clothes?
Test borax first, but it is safe for most colors if used in warm or cool water. Start with a small amount. Avoid using in hot water on darker clothes.
7. Is borax safe for septic tanks and gray water systems?
Yes, borax is generally considered septic and gray water safe. It biodegrades quickly without chemicals that harm systems.
8. Does borax whiten clothes the same as bleach?
Borax can brighten and remove some stains, but does not bleach as intensely as chlorine bleach, especially on heavier discoloration. Bleach may still be needed for tough stains.
9. How often can I use borax for laundry?
For everyday laundry, you can safely use a small amount of borax at each load 1-2 times per week. For occasional deep cleaning, use weekly or monthly. Avoid overuse.
10. Can borax damage or ruin clothes over time?
When used correctly, borax does not harm most fabrics. But overuse or improper use can cause abrasion, wear, and fading faster over time. Start with small amounts.
The Takeaway
Adding borax to your laundry routine is an easy way to get cleaner, brighter, fresher smelling clothes and linens. It tackles stains, whitens whites, softens water, deodorizes, disinfects, and brightens clothes for minimal cost. Use about 1/2 cup per average load once a week or every other week. Always follow fabric care instructions and test borax first before pouring directly on clothes. Borax offers an effective eco-friendly boost to your detergent for excellent laundry results.