Borax vs. OxiClean

Borax Review

Borax is a curious cleaning additive as it isn’t really soap at all. It is purely a mineral (sodium tetraborate). It is naturally mined, mostly from the California Death Valley, and is known to enhance the cleaning power of other detergents including bleach (although this is only recommended in well ventilated areas).

Borax burst onto the scene in modern cleaning culture when the first team of miners pulled it out of the quarry using a team of 20 mules–hence the name 20 Mule Team Borax for the most popular brand. This happened in the year 1883, and since then Borax has been a staple for frugal homeowners who want to get the most out of their cleaning.

Borax works because it is an extremely alkaline mineral, with a pH level of 9.5. This creates what is known as a ‘basic solution’ when mixed with hot water. It essentially converts into hydrogen peroxide while the molecules are excited in water. This helps to lift acidic stains out of fabrics such as tomato stains or wine stains, for example.

Borax is a 100% natural substance that is mined and ground to be used by us. This is one advantage that Borax has over other cleaning enhancers on the market. It’s not a harsh chemical, it’s a natural mineral. However, it is still important to note that boron can act as a pesticide or herbicide when used in concentrated amounts–so you should still handle it with care!

Borax is convenient as it can be mixed with virtually any cleaner or detergent on the market. It can work alongside vinegar mixtures, it can work with your basic laundry detergent, you name it! In fact Borax and it’s highly alkaline pH level allows it to help balance out compounds in the water and enhance their cleaning power. This makes Borax a great complimentary cleaning agent.

So, Borax is an excellent detergent complement as it can soften the water and convert into hydrogen peroxide through the chemical process. It lifts stains, but it doesn’t do a lot of cleaning. That’s why it’s important to know that Borax on it’s own doesn’t really replace your detergent. However, it’s still a great additive.

Stand-out features include

OxiClean Review

If you have ever found yourself staying up a bit too late at night, you have likely seen those infomercials that spam the television when regular programming has ended. This format of advertising is how OxiClean became a household name–and a bit of a meme with the younger generations. Despite this ‘meme’ status, OxiClean is actually an incredible cleaning additive.

OxiClean has been around since the early 1990’s, but the way that OxiClean works has been known to scientists for quite some time. OxiClean, much like Borax, is activated by water. However, it is made from a different compound. In the case of OxiClean, that compound is sodium percarbonate.

Sodium Percarbonate is the product of a marriage between hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. This mixture allows OxiClean to break up when introduced to water, and separate into these two distinct chemical compounds. The potent mixture helps to separate the positively charged bonds that stains have with fabric, and force them to crumble like an atomic hot knife against butter.

The main draw for OxiClean is that it is not an additive, it is a detergent in and of itself. It does not need to be combined with anything, as the compound mixture sanitizes and cleans your laundry without an issue. OxiClean can also be used to remove stains on carpets, countertops, upholstery, and more.

One thing to note about OxiClean is that it does not mix well with bleach. Although it is technically safe, the gasses released when mixed together can still be dangerous especially to sensitive individuals.

The bottom line is that OxiClean works in a very similar way to Borax. It oxygenates the liquid and attacks the bindings of the stains on a molecular level. It essentially forces stains to separate from the fabric or material. It acts alone as a detergent, and doesn’t need to be mixed with anything to help it work.

OxiClean contains washing soda in it. This is the sodium carbonate that exists within the OxiClean formula. All washing soda is powdered sodium carbonate. However, OxiClean also contains a powdered version of hydrogen peroxide. This essentially makes OxiClean oxygenated bleach (as opposed to chlorinated bleach). That is the slight difference between washing soda and OxiClean.

Stand-out features include

Borax Vs Oxiclean

So, now that we have exhausted all the information you need to know about Borax and OxiClean, which one of them is better? Well, in the end both of them can accomplish similar results but in very different ways–as we have mentioned above.

Our team here at Cleaning King see the value in both products. Borax can be an amazingly useful compound to keep around the house to enhance your favorite detergent. However, it is our belief that OxiClean is far better in most general purposes. It works better on protein based stains, it doesn’t need a detergent to help it work, and it can simply be used as a replacement to all of your other cleaning agents in almost any case.

So, the verdict for us is that OxiClean is going to perform better in almost any situation. This is simply due to the fact that Borax doesn’t do much of anything on its own. However, it is important to note that Borax does have its uses, and can fill niches that OxiClean cannot.

So, in the end it all comes down to what you want to do with it. If you already have a detergent that you love–due to scent or any other reason–Borax is your friend. It will enhance that detergent and help you use less of it to make it last longer. For almost any other use, OxiClean is the winner.