Does Borax Kill Dust Mites?

Table of Contents

When dust mites are causing health problems in your home, you’ll want to take remedial action as soon as possible. There are suggestions that using borax can kill dust mites? But is borax a good solution in killing the tiny pests and is it safe when you have kids in your home?

I’ve been exploring various alternatives to eliminate and prevent dust mites’ growth since my son developed serious allergies. If you’re thinking of using borax, read this short but concise article.

What Is Borax?

Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate is a natural mineral. It is formed by the basic formula Na₂B₄O_7. Depending on the water content, borax is often identified into different types:

anhydrous sodium tetraborate, Na₂B₄O₇
sodium tetraborate pentahydrate, Na₂B₄O₇·5H₂O
sodium tetraborate decahydrate, Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O

This mineral compound is usually available in white powder form and it dissolves easily in water. Chances are, you may have some household items that contain borax, particularly cleaning products, soaps, and cosmetics.

Borax is known for its pesticidal properties, making it a useful compound to kill insects and getting rid of mildew. It is also known to be used to produce slimy play toys for children.

Borax vs. Boric Acid

When borax is mentioned, some people will associate it with boric acid. While both compounds may share similar properties, they are each have different chemical build-ups. Boric acid is known as hydrogen borate.

Boric acid is produced when borax is being acidified. In other words, borax is the hydrated salt of boric acid. Both compounds are known for their pesticidal use, but boric acid is known to exhibit a stronger effect in killing pests and less-friendly for humans.

It’s important that you don’t confuse with borax and boric acid, especially when you’re using it to kill dust mites at home.

Is Borax Effective Against Dust Mites?

There aren’t any specific studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of borax against dust mites. However, borax is known to be a moderately mild, yet effective pesticide against a number of pests.

Borax is effective against most insects and pests, except aphids or ticks that feed on plant extracts and larvae. It’s safe to state that borax helps in controlling dust mites in your home.

Is Borax Toxic For Humans?

The term pesticide often raise concerns on humans’ safety. While borax helps to neutralize dust mites, is it a good choice that doesn’t compromise your health?

Borax, as mild as it is, can cause complications when inhaled or swallowed. The FDA has banned the use of borax as a food additive. Exposure to borax may lead to skin or eye irritations, digestive problems, reproductive issues, kidney failure, and fatality.

If you’re using borax to kill dust mites, you’ll want to ensure it is stored away from children and seek emergency treatment if borax is swallowed or inhaled.

How To Use Borax For Dust Mites Control?

As borax may cause side effects when exposed to humans, you shouldn’t be spraying borax or applying the powder on mattress and carpets. There may be some articles that suggest using borax in carpets, but the risk of it being inhaled by kids and pets means it’s not a viable method for me.

Instead, the best way to use borax is to add it to the laundry to kill dust mites. Adding half a cup of borax powder into the laundry will help in destroying dust mites that are hiding in clothes or beddings.

Borax doesn’t leave any stain on the clothes. In fact, it is also known to help remove stain and deodorize clothes. This makes borax an attractive option for dust mites control.

Commercial Borax Products

Chances are, your existing laundry detergent may contain borax as part of its ingredients. However, if you wish for pure commercially available borax powder, here are a few top choices from Amazon.

1. Milliard Borax Powder Detergent Booster

This pack of borax powder by Milliard is made of pure sodium borate. Free from any additives, it works great as a laundry enhancing compound that also kills dust mites. The opaque white powder is packed in a resealable pouch for easy storage.

Check Price

2. 20 Mule Team Borax Powder

The 20 Mule Team is a renowned brand that has been around since 1891. You can use this pack of borax powder to eliminate dust mites in the laundry. It’s also a great detergent booster to get rid of dirt and soap scums.

Check Price

3. Borax Powder by Pure Organic Ingredients

Besides making slime, this resealable-pouch-filled borax powder is great for laundry, particularly if you are trying to get rid of dust mites in your clothes. It’s claimed to be non-irritating on the skin as the powder is free of any chemicals.

Check Price

Is Borax A Good Solution For Dust Mites Control?

Compared to much harsher chemicals, borax kills dust mites without damaging the environment or causing harm to humans and pets. As long you you take precautionary measures when using borax, the risk of suffering complications is minimal.

There’s no harm in using borax to kill dust mites. Alternatively, you could consider using these anti-dust mite detergents, which are safe for people, pets and the environment.

Related: