Borax Solution Calculator

Borax is a workhorse booster, and a poison if swallowed

Borax is sodium borate, a white mineral powder sold in the laundry aisle for boosting detergent and for household cleaning. The 20 Mule Team Borax household-uses guide lists 1/2 cup per washload (3/4 cup for larger machines) and 1 tablespoon per quart of warm water for wiping jobs such as cleaning a refrigerator, which is about 1/4 cup per gallon and is what the spray option here uses. The heavy soak option doubles that to about 1/2 cup per gallon as a hedged starting point, not a label value. Labels list their own directions for their own product, which win if they differ.

Temperature helps. Borax dissolves better in warm or hot water than in cold, and undissolved granules leave a gritty film on surfaces and fabric. Start with a small amount of hot water in the bucket or bottle, stir until the powder disappears, then top up with cooler water. If the solution turns cloudy or powdery once it cools, use less powder or warmer water next time.

The safety issue is ingestion. Borax is poisonous if swallowed, and a mixed solution looks like water, so it must never sit in an unmarked cup or food container. Keep the box and any solution out of reach of children and pets, wash your hands after use, and rinse counters that touch food. If someone swallows borax, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away rather than waiting for symptoms.

Borax is alkaline, so it suits sealed tile, sinks and laundry, but it can dull or mark aluminium, polished metals and some delicate finishes. Test a hidden spot and rinse well. It is a cleaner and deodorizer rather than a disinfectant, and it should not be combined with bleach or other chemicals. Mix only what you need and pour leftovers down the drain with plenty of water. Keep borax out of food-prep areas, sweep up spilled powder before it reaches a child's or pet's reach, and keep the original box closed and clearly labeled on a high shelf.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

• 20 Mule Team Borax household-uses guide, 24 Wacky Uses for 20 Mule Team Borax (1/2 cup per washload, 1 tablespoon per quart of warm water for cleaning)
• the product box carries the safety warnings. Note: the heavy-soak amount is a hedged household figure, and we could not read the current box directions, so confirm on your box's label

This is general household-cleaning guidance and planning math, not medical or professional advice. Product formulas change, so the label on your bottle always wins: follow its directions and warnings, test a hidden spot first, and never mix cleaning products. For a poisoning emergency call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 if someone has trouble breathing.