OxiClean and borax are often used for similar cleaning purposes, but they are not the same product. While both can be used as laundry boosters, stain removers, and for general cleaning, OxiClean and borax have some key differences in their ingredients, safety, and effectiveness.
What is OxiClean?
OxiClean is a name brand cleaning product made by Church & Dwight Co. It was introduced in 1997 and is marketed as a “stain fighter and whitening booster.” The main active ingredient in OxiClean is sodium percarbonate, which is a powdered hydrogen peroxide compound. When dissolved in water, sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide which acts as a bleaching agent to break down and lift stains. OxiClean also contains sodium carbonate (washing soda) which helps remove stains and brighten laundry. Other ingredients include anti-redeposition agents to prevent dirt from resettling, and optical brighteners to make clothes appear whiter.
Uses of OxiClean
OxiClean can be used for:
- Laundry – It’s added to wash cycles as a booster to get rid of tough stains and whiten fabrics.
- Stain removal – Mixed with water into a paste to pre-treat specific stains before washing items.
- General cleaning – In solutions for cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and other areas.
- Dishwashing – Either in the dishwasher detergent compartment or hand washing dishes in the sink.
- Removing odors – OxiClean solutions can help eliminate odors from surfaces and fabrics.
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is a natural mineral compound. It is mined from deposits in places like California, Turkey, and Tibet. Borax has been used since ancient times and was originally known by early Egyptians as “natron.” The 20 Mule Team Borax brand was introduced in 1891 to market borax to American consumers. Borax is available as a white powdered substance.
Uses of Borax
Borax is used for an assortment of household tasks including:
- Laundry booster – Helps remove stains, soften water, and boost cleaning power of detergents
- Cleaning – Dissolved in water for cleaning sinks, tubs, countertops, floors, etc.
- Disinfectant – Has antiseptic and antibacterial properties to kill mold and germs
- Deodorizer – Can help eliminate odors and freshen refrigerators, carpets, cabinets, etc.
- Pest control – Can be used to kill cockroaches, ants, and fleas as an ingredient in baits/traps
Comparison of OxiClean and Borax
Active Ingredients
The main difference between OxiClean and borax is their active ingredients:
| OxiClean | Sodium percarbonate (releases hydrogen peroxide in water) |
|---|---|
| Borax | Sodium borate/tetraborate |
While both ingredients are effective cleaners, they work in different ways chemically. The hydrogen peroxide in OxiClean acts as a whitening agent while the mineral salts in borax have natural cleaning power.
Safety
Borax is generally considered more toxic than OxiClean products:
- Borax is classified as a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant.
- Ingesting large amounts of borax can cause nausea, vomiting, and other health issues.
- OxiClean is non-toxic when used as directed, though the hydrogen peroxide may cause mild irritation.
- OxiClean is safe for septic systems but borax should not be flushed down drains.
As with any cleaning product, OxiClean and borax should be used carefully according to label instructions and kept out of reach of children and pets.
Effectiveness
For many cleaning uses, OxiClean and borax offer comparable effectiveness:
- Both can tackle tough stains on laundry when used along with detergent.
- They excel at removing grime and soap scum from showers, tubs, sinks, etc.
- Can freshen smelly carpets, fridges, garbage cans, and other areas.
However, OxiClean has some advantages for specific cleaning tasks:
- Whitening – The bleach-like hydrogen peroxide can brighten and remove yellowing better.
- Organic stains – OxiClean is very effective on food, blood, grass, makeup stains.
- Fabric bleaching – OxiClean can safely bleach and disinfect white fabrics.
Borax is banned as a laundry additive in the EU due to its toxicity. OxiClean does not have this restriction.
Cost
OxiClean is sold as a name brand product and is typically more expensive ounce for ounce than generic borax:
- OxiClean can cost $0.10 to $0.20 per ounce depending on the package size.
- 20 Mule Team Borax is around $0.02 per ounce.
- Generic borax can be even cheaper, closer to $0.01 per ounce.
However, users often find they can use less OxiClean than borax to get the same cleaning results. The convenience and performance of OxiClean can make it worthwhile for many households despite the higher price tag.
Can They Be Used Together?
OxiClean and borax create a very alkaline solution when mixed with water, so they are not recommended to be combined together directly as this could be potentially hazardous. However, OxiClean and borax can both be beneficial additions when used separately in laundry cycles:
- Add OxiClean in with detergent at the beginning of the wash to lift stains.
- Add borax in the rinse or final spin cycle as a water softener and for an extra boost removing soils.
If washing by hand, you can also use OxiClean in the wash water to pretreat, then add borax to the final rinse. This takes advantage of their different cleaning strengths.
The Best Uses for Each Product
Here is a summary of the best uses for OxiClean vs. borax based on their ingredients and abilities:
Best Uses for OxiClean
- Removing organic stains – blood, food, grass, makeup, wine, etc.
- Whitening and brightening fabrics
- Disinfecting and deodorizing surfaces
- Cleaning plastics and colored fabrics
- Boosting laundry detergents
- Pre-treating heavily soiled or stained areas
Best Uses for Borax
- Cleaning tubs, sinks, tiles, and counters
- Removing soap scum and hard water deposits
- Absorbing odors from fridges, carpets, and upholstery
- Softening hard water for laundry
- Cleaning out toilets and garbage cans
- Polishing chrome and stainless steel
Conclusion
OxiClean and borax are both useful cleaners to have around the home. OxiClean offers excellent stain-fighting ability thanks to its hydrogen peroxide formula. It is safer and is highly effective at whitening. Borax is a natural mineral cleaner that excels at cutting through grease and dirt. It also helps soften hard water. While OxiClean is more convenient and can tackle a wider variety of cleaning challenges, borax is very economical to use. Many households opt to use a combination of OxiClean and borax based on the specific cleaning task. This provides maximum cleaning effectiveness at a reasonable cost.