Borax substitute is what UK households use now that pure borax is no longer sold for home cleaning. It is inexpensive, fragrance-free and handles a surprising number of jobs, as long as you use the right amount. This guide gives exact doses for the washing machine, stain soaks and household cleaning, plus the few things you should not use it on.
What is borax substitute?
Borax substitute is a blend of two familiar alkaline minerals. Our Borax Substitute is 55% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and 45% sodium carbonate (washing soda), a mix close in chemistry to sodium sesquicarbonate. Dissolved in water it is mildly alkaline, at around pH 10.
That alkalinity is what makes it useful. It softens hard water by locking up the calcium and magnesium that stop detergent working properly, helps lift grease and body oils from fabric, and neutralises acidic smells. It is free from phosphates, chlorine, optical brighteners and fragrance.
Unlike real borax, it contains no boron. That is why it is not classed as toxic to reproduction and can be sold to anyone in the UK.
How much to use: quick dosing guide
| Job | Amount | How |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry booster | 30 g (about 1½ tbsp) | Add to the drum with your usual detergent |
| Fragrance-free wash | 30–45 g | On its own, for lightly soiled loads |
| Whitening soak | 30 g in 4 litres of warm water | Soak for 30–60 minutes, then wash as normal |
| Softer rinse | 50–100 ml white vinegar | In the softener drawer, with the substitute in the drum |
| Dishwasher refresh | 15 g | Sprinkle in the base of the empty machine and run a hot cycle |
| Surface cleaning | A sprinkle, or a paste with water | On a damp cloth or sponge, then rinse |
At the booster dose, an 1800 g double pack covers about 60 washes.
Using borax substitute in the washing machine
- Put the powder straight into the drum before the clothes. In the detergent drawer it can clump.
- Add your usual detergent as normal. Borax substitute works alongside biological and non-biological powders and liquids.
- For cold or quick washes, dissolve the powder in a cup of warm water first so it does not leave white marks.
- Wash at the temperature on the care label. Warmer washes, 40 °C and above, get the most from it.
It is especially useful in hard water areas, which cover much of the south and east of England. There, minerals in the water tie up part of your detergent, and borax substitute helps it work at full strength.
Stain and whitening soaks
- Greying whites and towels: dissolve 30 g in 4 litres of warm water and soak for 30–60 minutes before a normal wash.
- Sports kit and musty smells: soak in the same way, then wash at the warmest temperature the care label allows.
- Greasy collars and cuffs: rub in a paste of powder and a little water, leave for 15 minutes, then wash.
- Tea, coffee and food marks: rinse from the back with cold water first, then soak. Fresh stains come out far more easily than old ones.
Check the care label first, and test coloured fabrics on a hidden seam before soaking.
Around the house
- Sinks, hobs and tiles: sprinkle onto a damp cloth or sponge, wipe, then rinse with clean water.
- Oven doors and grill pans: spread on a paste of powder and water, leave for 30 minutes, then wipe off and rinse.
- Fridges and lunch boxes: wipe with 1 tablespoon dissolved in 500 ml of warm water to remove stale smells.
- Bins: after cleaning, sprinkle a little in the bottom to help absorb odours.
- Drains: pour 2–3 tablespoons into the plughole, followed by hot (not boiling) water, to keep sink drains fresh.
What not to use it on
- Wool, silk and other animal fibres: alkaline cleaners can damage protein fibres.
- Aluminium: pans, trays and fittings can darken or pit.
- Waxed, oiled or unsealed wood: it can strip the finish.
- Painted, lacquered or delicate surfaces: it may dull the finish, so test a hidden area first.
Safety tips
Treat borax substitute with the same care as washing soda. The sodium carbonate in it causes serious eye irritation, so keep it away from your eyes, and rinse with plenty of clean water if any gets in. Wear rubber gloves for long soaks and scrubbing, because strong alkaline solutions dry out skin. Keep the pack closed, dry and out of reach of children.
Never mix it with vinegar or other acids in a closed bottle or spray. They fizz and release carbon dioxide, which can build up pressure.
Borax substitute vs real borax
Real borax is sodium tetraborate. It contains boron and is classified in Great Britain as toxic to reproduction (Repr. 1B, H360FD), which is why it disappeared from supermarket shelves around 2010. Borax substitute does the everyday laundry and cleaning jobs borax used to do, but it cannot replace borax where the boron chemistry matters: soldering and brazing flux, ceramic glazes, laboratory buffers and timber treatment.
If you need genuine borax for that kind of professional work, see our 99.9% borax powder, sold for trade, studio and laboratory use only.
Frequently asked questions
Is borax substitute the same as borax?
No. Borax substitute is a blend of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Borax is sodium tetraborate, a boron compound. They do similar jobs in the laundry, but they are different chemicals with different safety classifications.
Can I use borax substitute to make slime?
Not on its own. Slime needs borate ions to link the glue together, and borax substitute contains no boron. Pure borax should not be used for children’s slime.
Can I use it with my normal detergent?
Yes. Put the substitute in the drum and add your usual detergent, biological or non-biological, liquid or powder.
Why has my borax substitute gone lumpy?
Like washing soda, it absorbs moisture from the air. Lumps still dissolve and work normally. To prevent them, keep the pack sealed in a dry cupboard.
How many washes are in a pack?
The 1800 g double pack gives about 60 washes and the 3600 g four-pack about 120, at 30 g per wash.
Ready to try it? Our Borax Substitute comes in 1800 g and 3600 g packs, delivered across the UK.