This safer substitute to borax is made up of sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate of soda – one of our fave natural cleaning agents, especially when used with white vinegar). The chemical name for this substance is sodium sesquicarbonate.
Full Answer
Where to buy Borax substitute?
Don't know if you have a Robert Dyas round your way but they sell Borax substitute, don't think you can buy the genuine stuff anymore. They have an online service as well as shops. Ok i may just order from amazon, never really like amazon marketplace but it seems the only place to buy.
How to use borax as a substitute for limescale?
Use Borax Substitute as a: 1 Multi-purpose cleaner - Mix it with some water to form a paste. ... 2 A water softener to help keep your washing machine clear of limescale. 3 To make your own bath salts, simply add some perfume or essential oils and a drop of food colouring to some Borax Substitute. More items...
Can I use borax instead of borax for green cleaning?
If you're hesitant about using borax for your green cleaning due to health and safety concerns, then consider some great alternatives. You can easily substitute safer green cleaning ingredients in place of borax for all the uses commonly listed on the back of the "20 Mule Team Borax" box.
Where to buy DRI-Pak borax?
This company is based in Derbyshire and is a family-run business which has been going since the 1960s, supplying a range of household goods to the many across the UK. Dri-Pak Borax Substitute is available to purchase online from Amazon or Big Green Smile and will be found baring the Dri-Pak branding.
Does Wilko sell borax?
It can also be bought at some supermarkets/retailers as water softening powder (or limescale prevention powder) under their own labels. These include Wilko and Sainsbury's.
Is soda crystals same as borax?
To begin, soda crystals and borax are not one and the same. Both contain sodium, but soda crystals (sometimes known as washing soda) are sodium carbonate, whereas borax is sodium borate. Both chemicals are alkaline and have been used for many years for a variety of cleaning tasks around the home.
Is baking soda same as borax?
Borax (sodium tetraborate) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) aren't the same thing. They're both salts, and they're both popular as “green” household cleaning agents, but borax has a pH of 9.5, compared to baking soda's pH of 8. This makes borax considerably more alkaline than baking soda.
Can you use soda crystals in the garden?
Soda Crystals are great for paths & patios as well as cleaning wooden decking too, which often collects algae and moss. Over time the algae and moss can build up and ruin an otherwise spotless garden. Using a mixture of hot water and Soda Crystals, evenly spread the solution over the decking and leave it for an hour.
What can I replace borax with?
Borax can be substituted by a number of natural ingredients, including vinegar, baking soda and coffee grinds.
What is borax called in UK?
Technical grade. What is borax: In the UK, Borax also called sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is sold as a naturally occurring mineral compound best known as a laundry booster and water softener. Borax is also excellent as a multi-purpose household cleaner with many uses throughout the house including craft projects.
What is borax substitute UK?
Bicarbonate of soda Bicarbonate of soda is a great backup option to borax because it's actually readily available in the UK, and it's quite harmless. Unlike borax, which can sometimes cause issues like skin irritation.
What is the same thing as borax?
A close cousin of borax is boric acid, which has many of the same concerns as Borax. Knowing these other names will help you when reading labels. So Borax is used in many household and clothes cleaning products as a whitener. It's also a pesticide that poisons insects, fungus and weeds.
Does Aldi sell borax?
POWER FORCE Borax 1kg 26310428.
Is baking soda same as soda crystals?
No, soda crystals are not exactly the same as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Soda crystals are sodium carbonate decahydrate, which is chemically similar to baking soda. However, soda crystals are more alkaline and so are better, for example, at removing grease and stains.
Is washing soda the same as soda crystals?
Soda Crystals also go by the name 'Washing Soda', or if you'd like to be a bit more scientific, 'Hydrated Sodium Carbonate'. Unfortunately they are sometimes confused with much stronger, corrosive Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) which are more aggressive and must be used with care when used around the home.
Is baking soda same as bicarbonate of soda?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular baking ingredient. It gives foods like bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies a light, fluffy texture.
Borax Alternatives
Borax isn’t for everyone, and because you can’t actually buy it in the UK, here are some alternative products you should consider using instead…
Conclusion
So, borax cannot be bought in the UK, but there are alternative products you could try instead. The products listed above will work wonders around your home and they’re all fairly safe to use.
FAQs
No, they are not the same thing. You can learn more about the differences between the two products here.
Baking Soda
If you’re looking for a natural ant repellent, baking soda is a great substitute for borax. Mix it with sugar to attract the ants, and the baking soda will do the difficult job of eliminating the infestation. [2]
Diatomaceous Earth
This is also a great pest repellent instead of borax. A sprinkle of this natural compound near entryways, at places where ants gather, or on their nests is an excellent natural insecticide. Look for food grade DE, and keep it away from children and pets because it can be toxic if ingested. [3]
Cornstarch
If you’re looking for a fun activity for kids, making flubber or slime with cornstarch makes for a great afternoon. Try mixing it with water to your desired consistency, with dish soap at a 2:1.5 cornstarch to soap ratio, or with school glue at a 2:1 cornstarch to glue ratio. For even more fun, add any food coloring or glitter that your kids like!
Laundry Booster
Got hard water? Then try boosting the effectiveness of your laundry detergent with baking soda instead of borax. It lowers the pH of hard water just as well as borax does, but is gentler and not toxic.
Deodorizer
Zap odors with gentler ingredients like vinegar. You can use it as a room deodorizer in spray form, such as in this DIY All-Purpose Aromatic Vinegar Spray, or add it to your washing machine rinse cup to deal with a load of particularly smelly clothes. As a bonus, vinegar even acts as a natural fabric softener.
Toilet Bowl Cleaning
Combat toilet bowl odors, mineral stains, and even mildew with a non-toxic green cleaner, such as Eco-Me's Phil Toilet Bowl Cleaner, or simply pour in some baking soda, add a little vinegar, swish, and let it sit. Voilà! You have a clean toilet without using borax.
Porcelain
Want sparkling clean porcelain surfaces? Then use a simple paste of baking soda and water, or if you want to jazz up your cleaning routine with a little aromatherapy, whip up a DIY aromatherapy cleanser or disinfecting cream cleanser. They work just as well, or even better than borax, and are non-toxic.
Delicates
Be gentle with your delicates by using a ready-made green laundry soap or your own homemade linen wash. You can make a lavender citrus linen wash, that is just as gentle on you and the environment as it is your delicates.
Garbage Pails
Instead of sprinkling borax in the bottom of your trash can, try baking soda or even coffee grinds. They work wonders. You can also use baking soda to clean your trash can. Throw in some vinegar for extra odor fighting action.
Refrigerators
Considering borax is something you really don't want to get on your food (it can cause nasty acute health effects like vomiting, nausea, etc.), the last place to use it would be in cleaning out the refrigerator, right? But that's one of the suggestions on the borax box.
What Is Borax?
Sodium tetraborate is a derivative of boric acid and it actually occurs naturally as seasonal lakes cycle and evaporate repeatedly, leaving behind a buildup of crystal/powdery deposit which is the salt of boric acid.
What Is Borax Substitute?
This safer substitute to borax is made up of sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate of soda – one of our fave natural cleaning agents, especially when used with white vinegar ). The chemical name for this substance is sodium sesquicarbonate.
What Does Borax Substitute Do?
Just like borax, it’s substitute counterpart can be used for a whole host of cleaning applications.
Where Can I Buy Borax Substitute?
One of the better-known brands which produce a borax substitute is Dri-Pak. This company is based in Derbyshire and is a family-run business which has been going since the 1960s, supplying a range of household goods to the many across the UK.
Free Returns
If something’s not right, you can return the product to us within 28 days of purchase and we will gladly refund or exchange. Unfortunately, we’re unable to provide a refund or exchange without a valid proof of purchase.
Product Information
You can't beat tried and tested methods. And when it comes to cleaning, Wilko's original soda crystals 1.5kg are tried, tested, traditional and take some beating. Simply dissolve in the correct amount of warm water and enjoy de- greasing, limescale removing and water softening results.