how to use borax in laundry
Sarah Scott
Updated on June 02, 2026
Sprinkle 1/2 cup borax into the empty washer tub before adding the dirty laundry. Be sure there are no lumps in the borax powder if you are using cold water because they may not dissolve properly. Borax works as a water softener and deodorizer.
Can you put borax in washing machine?
In your washing machine, borax helps absorb dirt. In your kitchen and bathroom, it’s great for cleaning rust, grout, and even mold and mildew. Borax helps laundry smell better and is also extremely effective at fighting pet urine odor because it combats the ammonia.
Can I use borax on colored clothes?
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral salt that’s sold as a laundry booster. It promises to fight stains, brighten whites and help laundry detergent more effectively clean all kinds of fabrics, colored fabrics included. Unlike bleach, borax is safe to use on colored fabrics without fear of dye removal or other damage.
Can you just use borax as laundry detergent?
Do your clothes come out of the wash looking less than clean? Here’s a frugal fix for that problem. Just add half a cup of Borax to each wash load, and you’ll boostthe cleaning power of your laundry detergent.
Which is better borax or OxiClean?
Go with the safer option. Not only is OxiClean the safer option, but it comes in several forms, including powder, liquid spray, and laundry detergent; borax is only sold as a powder. Learn more about the many ways you can use OxiClean on Amazon or OxiClean.com.
Can you use borax and washing soda together?
The general ratio for the laundry stripping recipe is 2 parts powdered detergent, 1 part Borax and 1 part washing soda. For most laundry stripping in standard size tubs, follow this recipe: ¼ cup ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda. ¼ cup Borax.
Is borax safe for clothes?
As blogger Julia from Simply Living Well explains in her Instagram post on the topic, as long as you’re not planning to eat or inhale the powder, borax can be a safe, yet powerful natural laundry booster.
Can you soak clothes in borax overnight?
How do you strip laundry? The process involves filling a bathtub or a top-loading washer with hot water and then adding in the Borax, washing soda, and powdered detergent mixture. Then you can add in your sheets, towels, or workout clothing and let everything soak for 4-6 hours.
What can you not mix with borax?
Clothing detergents such as liquid or powdered oxygen bleach, baking soda, and washing soda. Mold and mildew fighters such as salt or white vinegar. Cosmetics that contain natural ingredients other than borax or boric acid.
How much borax do I use for laundry?
When using Borax to help soften or condition your water, for both high efficiency and most top-loading washing machines add 1/2 cup of Borax per load. If you have a large capacity machine bump up the amount to 3/4 cup of Borax per load.
Can you mix borax and vinegar?
Borax and vinegar are two safe ingredients that can be combined to create a good general cleaning solution. Undiluted vinegar and borax can also be used for mildew removal. When mixing Borax with other ingredients, it is essential to use warm water to help it dissolve.
Can you mix borax and vinegar in laundry?
Fortunately, vinegar can both whiten and soften your clothes. If you’re looking for a substitute fabric softener, all you need to do is add ½ cup of distilled vinegar onto the rinse cycle. In case you’re looking to neutralize odors and whiten your clothes, then add ½ cup of Borax and ½ of vinegar.