What is Borax? How is it done? Where is it used?

by Abbas Jahangir · November 19, 2021

What is in borax, which is used in almost every field?

Borax, a chemical substance formed by the combination of boron, sodium, oxygen minerals and water, is white in color, crystalline and in powder form.
Borax powder, which melts at 75 degrees, is insoluble in alcohol.
When it melts, it starts to lose its water and boils at about 200 degrees.
The substance used to reduce the hardness of water is used in detergent production.
Since it is an organic product by housewives, it is widely used in laundry due to its detergent structure.
It has natural antiseptic properties and can be used in the field of health due to this feature.

What does borax mean?

The substance, whose chemical name is disodium tetraborate, is obtained as a result of evaporation of sea water.
It is named after the name Burak, which means bright in Arabic.
Borax, which is found naturally in Romania, America and Turkey, can cause allergic effects. Therefore, precautions must be taken when using borax.
It is a product that is frequently used by those who do not want to use chemicals in their homes and prefer to clean with natural products.

How Is Borax Made?

Borax is widely used in making slime, which is a new generation play dough. Slime, one of the latest children’s entertainment, is play dough with a soft and non-stick form. Since the main ingredient of the play dough called slime is borax, the dough is also called borax.
So, how to make borax at home? You can make slime play dough at home with borax materials containing 1 glass of glue, 1 tablespoon of borax powder, 1/2 (half) glass of hot water and food coloring.
Add 1 tablespoon of borax powder to 1 glass of hot water and mix thoroughly until it dissolves.
On the other hand, half a glass of glue and half a glass of hot water is mixed in a bowl. After the glue and hot water are thoroughly mixed, food coloring of the desired color is added into it.
Borax mixture and glue mixture are added into a large bowl and mixed thoroughly.
If the prepared slime is in a solid consistency, a little more hot water can be added.

What is Borax Water? How is it prepared? Where is it used?

The water prepared by adding borax is called borax water. Borax is mixed with water and used for cleaning purposes in homes and workplaces. Borax, which has almost the same effect as other detergents used in household cleaning, is preferred because it does not contain harmful substances contained in chemical detergents.

It is more effective when used by adding lemon juice and vinegar to the cleaning water prepared using Arabic soap, water and borax. This borax water mixture is very effective in hand-washed laundry.

1 glass of washing soda and 10 grams of borax are mixed into it:

4-5 drops of lemon oil,
4-5 drops of rosemary oil,
1-2 drops of thyme oil,
Add 4-5 drops of orange oil.

When half a tea glass of the prepared mixture is added to the dish water, you can have both fragrant and clean plates and glasses. It is recommended to rinse at least 2 times with vinegar water after washing. In addition, borax is mixed with glycerin and water and used for household cleaning.

So, how is borax used in cleaning?

1 tablespoon, i.e. about 10 grams of borax,
10-15 drops of lavender oil
The mixture prepared using 1 glass of vinegar can be used safely in household cleaning.

Borax Usage Areas

Borax, which is widely used in the cosmetics industry, plays an important role in increasing the consistency of lotions and creams.
The substance used especially in hand soaps draws attention with its superior cleaning power.
In addition to its thickening properties, borax exfoliants are used in the structure of creams, which are beneficial in eliminating bacteria and dead cells on the skin, preventing acne formation and eliminating skin oils.
Due to its hardening feature, the substance used in cement making in the construction industry is also used in the waste industry and energy sector. Borax welding powder is widely used in the construction industry.
There is also borax in the structure of rinse aids and detergents designed for dishwashers and washing machines.
The substance, which is preferred due to its environmentally friendly properties, prevents the formation of insects without harming the soil and at the same time does not harm the plants.
Thanks to its disinfectant feature, it is used instead of borax detergent in carpet, toilet and floor cleaning.
Borax insecticide is an effective substance in taking precautions against cockroaches in the home and workplace.
In addition to all these areas of use, borax is used in the pyrex and glass fiber industry, in the construction of wood protection materials and in the design of armored and military vehicles.

What to Use Instead of Borax?

Borax, which is used in making slime, can cause allergies in some children. Liquid starch can be used instead of borax in making slime. To make slime using liquid starch, a quarter of a glass of liquid starch, food coloring and liquid glue is sufficient.
Approximately 100 grams of glue is taken into an empty bowl. A few drops of food coloring of the selected color are dropped into the container. Half of the liquid starch is added to the colored glue mixture and mixed with the help of a spoon. After mixing well, the rest of the starch is poured and kneaded well this time using hands.
It is also possible to make slime by using shampoo and powder detergent or shaving foam instead of borax.

What are the Harms of Borax?

Borax, which has a reducing effect against metal poisoning, is a substance that has harms as well as benefits. Borax, which should be kept out of the reach of children, can cause serious irreversible damage when it is accidentally smoked or eaten.
When borax, which can cause poisoning, is consumed, green or blue vomiting occurs.
In addition, skin rashes and spills may be accompanied by high fever. In such a case, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
The use of borax without gloves in household cleaning may cause allergic reactions on the skin.
So, is borax dangerous? It is banned in some countries abroad because it reduces the number of sperm.
Borax is used as a preservative in some of the packaged ready-to-eat foods.
Although substances containing borax do not cause a significant health problem when taken into the body for a short time, long-term consumption of borax may increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Due to the harmful effects of borax, it is not recommended for use by pregnant women.
Borax, which has been widely used in slime, which is play dough recently, can cause lung cancer when inhaled for a long time.