If you have ever seen those cleaning hack videos then you must have seen them using a powder called Borax.

Now you must be wondering what Borax is?
Is it banned in the UK?
And why is Borax banned in the UK?
Trust me you are not the only one asking this. Many people are oblivious to Borax in the UK.

In this blog, I will tell you what Borax is and why is it banned in the UK.

What is Borax?

Sodium tetraborate decahydrate popularly known as Borax in the UK is a mineral that occurs naturally and is used as a laundry booster, cleaner, water softener, etc

It is used in many households for cleaning purposes and some craft projects.

It is also used as a food additive in many countries and is often linked to liver cancer when consumed in large quantities over a period of 5-10 years.

Is Borax Nanned in The UK?

Yes, you can not find Borax in the Uk because it was banned by the government.

The Borate group of chemicals was classified as hazardous to health in 2010. However, there are many substitutes for borax available in the market.

Why is Considered To Be Toxic?

It is believed that Borax can be absorbed through the skin and it is a skin irritant.

A study was conducted by the Library of national medicine in 1998 which showed levels of toxicity of borax and others when contacted with the skin. It was proved that the degree of toxicity of Borax through human skin is low.

However, it was recommended to use gloves while using Borax and it was also proved that it can be an irritant for the eyes and when inhaled through the nose can cause serious irritation.

Hence it was considered a toxic substance.

Is Borax Safe to Use?

If we look at Borax from an open mindset and not from the view of the studies, then yes borax is ‘generally’ safe to use.

Provided that you have taken appropriate precautions while using it.

Like minimizing the exposure to your skin and eyes, using a mask (so that you don’t swallow it) and gloves (to minimize direct contact) while using it.

Hence it is safe to use as a cleaning agent.

You should definitely avoid products and cosmetics that use borax.

Is Borax Safe to Touch?

Borax should not be touched directly, use gloves while touching it. One should not confuse borax (non-toxic to some degree) with boric acid, while both of them are toxic, boric acid is far less forgiving than borax.

What is Borax Substitute?

So borax is banned in the UK, but if you are looking for a substitute for borax then we have one here.

It is called sodium Sesquicarbonate, it is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. It works equally well as Borax when used as a cleaning agent and for deodorizing jobs. It also has a strong ability to clean and hence can be used for scrubbing hard-to-clean surfaces tiles, metal sinks, and basins.

It can be used on

• Fabrics
• Ceramics
• Slate
• Granite kitchen tops
• Floor marble
• Stainless steel products
• Porcelain products

If you don’t want to do all the chemistry you can buy ‘Dri-Pak.

It is a well-known brand in the UK and is readily available on Amazon.

Can You Still Buy Borax in The UK?

No, borax is completely banned in the UK as well as in the EU.

What is The UK Version of Borax?

If you want a UK version of borax then you can go for bicarbonate of soda, it is a good option and is available in the UK.

Conclusion

So this was all about Borax. Yes, borax is banned in the UK because of its harmful effects. But still, you can use it, you just need to be extra careful.

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The post Why is Borax Banned in UK? – Full Guide [Updated 2023] appeared first on Blog Story.