[blparent] Natural recipe for going green

Wed May 2 00:32:12 UTC 2012

I did some additional research on Borax and found some helpful information
that I've pasted below.  You can find this and more information at
http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/a/howboraxworks.htm

Erin

Borax (also known as sodium borate decahydrate; sodium pyroborate; birax;
sodium tetraborate decahydrate; sodium biborate) is a natural mineral
compound (Na2B4O7 . 10H2O). It was discovered over 4000 years ago. Borax is
usually found deep within the ground, although it has been mined near the
surface in Death Valley, California since the 1800s. Although it has
numerous industrial uses, in the home borax is used as a natural laundry
booster, multipurpose cleaner, fungicide, preservative, insecticide,
herbicide, disinfectant, dessicant, and ingredient in making 'slime'. Borax
crystals are odorless, whitish (can have various color impurities), and
alkaline. Borax is not flammable and is not reactive. It can be mixed with
most other cleaning agents, including chlorine bleach.

How Does Borax Clean?

 Borax has many chemical properties that contribute to its cleaning power.
Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water molecules
to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This reaction is more favorable in hotter
water. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in
water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners. In
other chemical reactions, borax acts as a buffer, maintaining a stable pH
needed to maintain cleansing chemical reactions. The boron, salt, and/or
oxygen of boron inhibit the metabolic processes of many organisms. This
characteristic allows borax to disinfect and kill unwanted pests. Borates
bonds with other particles to keep ingredients dispersed evenly in a
mixture, which maximizes the surface area of active particles to enhance
cleaning power.

Risks Associated with Borax

 Borax is natural, but that does not mean it is automatically safer for you
or for 'the environment' than man-made chemicals. Although plants need
boron, too much of it will kill them, so borax can be used as an herbicide.
Borax may also be used to kill roaches, ants, and fleas. In fact, it is also
toxic to people. Signs of chronic toxic exposure include red and peeling
skin, seizures, and kidney failure. The estimated lethal dose (ingested) for
adults is 15-20 grams; less than 5 grams can kill a child or pet. For this
reason, borax should not be used around food. More commonly, borax is
associated with skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. It is also important
to point out that exposure to borax may impair fertility or cause damage to
an unborn child.

Now, none of these risks mean that you shouldn't use borax. If you do a bit
of research, you will find risks associated with all cleaning products,
natural or man-made. However, you do need to be aware of product risks so
that you can use those products properly. Don't use borax around food, keep
it out of reach of children and pets, and make sure you rinse borax out of
clothes and off of surfaces before use.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Veronica Smith
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 5:06 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Natural recipe for going green

But borax is made from all natural, not harmful to the earth. But don't know
what is in it.  I know it can't harm animals like dogs or cats, but bugs
find it quite offensive.  

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 11:51 AM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Natural recipe for going green

Erin, not a recipe from me, smile. I agree though, I wouldn't want to use a
product with Borax if wanting to go green.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 24
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:24:24 -0700
From: "Erin Rumer" <erinrumer at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] natural recipe for going green
Message-ID: <002e01cd2717$9f3c9090$ddb5b1b0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Thanks for another cleaning recipe Bridgett.  To be honest though I'm
wanting to avoid things with Borax because that stuff us used to kill pests
during extermination measures.  It cannot be that healthy for us although
I'm sure it works.

Erin

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