Borax is a naturally occurring compound that is found in arid regions similar to salt plains in Utah or Nevada. The mineral itself is made up of Sodium, Oxygen and Boron to create Sodium Tetraborate (Na2B4O7 • 10H2O) and is mined in Central and Southern California. The compound is considered a salt and actually shares many chemical properties with average table salt.
20 Mule Team™ simply refines the raw Borax that is mined from the ground and converts it to a powder for your easy use.
Borax gets its name from elements that make up the compound; Boron and Oxygen. Though it also is made up of sodium and water, Boron is one of the most important ingredients and gives Borax its stain-fighting power. The element helps convert some of the water molecules into hydrogen peroxide and is what makes cleaners most effective.
Boron is an extremely versatile element and is actually used for a variety of industrial purposes.
- Glass
- Porcelain
- Aircraft (Boron was even used on the space shuttle!)
- Cosmetics
- Flame Retardants
Borax is similar to salt in that it contains sodium. The sodium is already a part of Borax when it’s extracted and helps to stabilize the compound.
We breath it every day, and it’s an integral part of creating Borax. Oxygen also gives the compound the last half of its name.