I use borax as my power cleaner but lately I've only been able to find 'borax substitute' in the shops, the ingredients of which weren't even listed on the box. Reading online I found that borax has been reclassified by the EU, which means its no longer available for sale as a general cleaner. I found some for sale online but I'm wondering if it is going to be banned entirely? Borax is toxic if eaten but it's certainly less toxic in general than bleach or other household cleaners which are still freely available.
Does anyone use borax for cleaning, or tried the borax substitute? I don't use that much of it but it's a staple cleaning product for me.
I use borax all the time and this is a real pain in the rear. There is a shop local to me that still sells the real thing but once they've run out, who knows. I haven't tried the substitute but I'm pretty horrified that the ingredients aren't listed on it. I thought that was the law.
I was inclined to believe the substitute was just dressed-up bicarb! I found a blurb about the ingredients and uses of one brand of powder on Amazon. I don't know much about the chemical listed or how toxic it may be. If this was my only choice I'd likely just stick with bicarbonate.
It looks like the EU reclassified borates because of some suspected link to fertility issues and birth defects when exposed to high quantities. It doesn't look like they're banning it entirely (though who can say), it's just going to be harder to find. I admit I don't have all the details but right now I'm against the EU on this one.
Borax truths and mis-information
Check this out and.... get and keep your head out of the sand