Borax powder is a powdery white substance that is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It is a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen and is often found in dry lake beds in places like California’s Death Valley, where the water evaporated and left behind deposits of minerals. Borax is widely used as a household cleaner and a booster for laundry detergent, and it is also used in many other household products, including specialty toothpaste and mouthwashes, cosmetics such as lotions, skin creams, moisturizers, sunscreen, and acne care products, paint and ceramic glaze, and herbicides. Borax is also used in pest control solutions because it is toxic to ants, and it is slow-acting, so worker ants will carry the borax to their nests and poison the rest of the colony. Borax is also used to make kid-friendly slime, kill pests, and preserve fresh flowers.

Borax and boric acid are made from the same chemical compound and even look alike, but while borax is commonly used in cleaning, boric acid is mainly used as a pesticide. Both borax and boric acid in loose powder form can be harmful if swallowed, particularly for children, and they can also irritate your skin. Borax is not intended for human consumption, and it poses significant health risks. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions when using borax powder, such as washing your hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, putting on makeup, applying cosmetics, or using the toilet after using borax, flushing your skin and eyes with water for at least 15 minutes in case of contact, and getting medical help if needed in case of accidental inhalation.