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| Borax not so 'green' |
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| Posted: 16/08/09 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| Gina |
I hate to burst everyone's bubble regarding Borax ... esp since I just bought some and have made my own dishwashing detergent. I have to show you this:
Borax is NOT a Green Cleaner!
We need to take on board the fact that BORAX is not a green cleaner!
Eco-literature that recommends the use of Borax, both as a laundry aid, and an insecticide, ignores the fact that it is toxic and highly soluble.
While Boron is a valuable trace element, like most other trace elements it is toxic when more than a trace is present!
In days gone by it was used as a weed-killer!
Recent environmental studies have shown a high proportion of boron in seagrass collected from metropolitan beaches in St.Vincent's Gulf, South Australia.. Such contamination probably affects any area where a modern city discharges treated or untreated effluent directly into the sea.
I believe Boron contamination is due not only to the use of heavy duty commercial laundry liquids, most of which contain Borax, but to it's use by environmentally aware, but ill-informed individuals, and maybe even manufacturers of 'Green' cleaners and detergents.
Since people have been avoiding the use of phosphates in detergents and cleaners the use of Borax has probably escalated. Though used with the best of intentions, it has now obviously become a serious contaminant of sewage discharges, and therefore of our local seawater.
I believe we should stop using Borax, except perhaps in very small quantities as a comparatively safe killer of ants and cockroaches. We should also check the ingredients of our 'Green' cleaners and detergents, and avoid any which contain Borax.
Gardeners who find that using seagrass or seaweed seriously retards the germination of seeds, or affects plant growth, should suspect boron contamination. Mixing it with large quantities of organic material before use, and composting, are both ways of reducing the problem, while still taking advantage of the soil-conditioning properties of seagrass and seaweed.
While on this subject, those of us with highly alkaline soils which are difficult to wet, need to be aware of the effect of all alkalis on soil structure. Whether you use washing soda, bicarbonate of soda, or plain soap, you are adding more alkali to the groundwater and sewage discharge. This is extremely damaging to the structure of such soils. We need to use something to get things clean, but often we use cleaners when plain water and elbow grease, or soaking, would do. With awareness and comittment we can reduce our use of anything containing any form of soluble sodium to a minimum.
Found at: http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/borax.html |
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| Posted: 16/08/09 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| Kirsty |
Wow, this has made me think twice about this product. I am all for saving money but not at the cost of the environment. I have just made my first batch of washing powder. Now I don't know if I should us it now.
Thanks for the info. It is important to me that my kids can go swimming in healthy local beaches and having the littlest impact on our environment. Worth a little more research on my part I think. |
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| Posted: 16/08/09 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| Gina |
Yeah, as I said, didn't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but a little information doesn't hurt. Anyway, there are always new and improved remedies for things we need, and we move on from what we thought was best previously. |
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| Posted: 22/10/09 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| Cynthia |
I have been using bicarb soda and white vinegar for washing clothes, linens etc for over a year now. Both are gentle on the environment, your family and your clothes. I use about 1 heaped desert spoon of bicarb per full load and fill the 'conditioner/rinse' section with plain vinegar. Vinegar works as a mild disinfectant. |
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| Posted: 02/04/10 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| Aileen M |
I agree - I was shocked after finding out about the downsides of borax - I had been using it for a while before reading up on it too. Now I use soapnuts - they works out around $0.09 per wash and there are a few online sellers. It's completely green (grows on trees, min packaging, grey water safe, even beneficial for soil treatment so safely compostable after use). - I use www.soapinanutshell.com.au and have never had a problem |
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| Posted: 02/07/10 |
Post Subject: Re: Borax not so 'green' |
| peggysue |
It's great people are finally realizing that a POISON (it says so on the label) should not be used except very carefully for say getting rid of ants.
Many recipes for "green" homemade laundry powder gives a large amount of borax in it. WHY?
I have been making my own laundry wash liquid and shampoos, dishwashing liquids etc. AND HAVE NEVER USED BORAX and it all worked extremely well.
I use Borax and Icing sugar in equal portions and pop it out of the way places to get rid of ants, especially cockroaches. It works extremely well. |
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