0 User Review
Has anyone else here had problems with 20 Mule Team Borax lately? The recent boxes I purchased seemed to have a noticeable fragrance added. Was very irritating as I'm highly chemical and scent sensitive. I called the manufacturer and they told me that nothing's been changed or added; I'm unconvinced. I've used Borax for years and never experienced this until just recently. Am hopeful my experience was a fluke but am looking at other sources for Borax.
Some previous posters here had noted a scent so was wondering if anyone else here might have noticed it as well. Many at Earth Clinic use it for medicinal reasons and they'd notice a change.
Mary: The most likely explanation is that the 20 Mule Teem is shipped in the same container as other detergent products that do contain chemical scents (and many have very high levels). The 20 Mule Teem manufacturer would need alerted that the scent is leaking into the cardboard box containers. The boxed Borax is certainly permeable.
I have noticed this same type incidence with other products that are located near scented laundry products on the store shelves.
Try pouring the Borax in a wide container and let set out in a mild sun and not too damp weather.
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
04/30/2013
Hi Mary - I just checked my container of borax and there is no smell BUT I've had the box for awhile so perhaps the new stock carries a fragrance. Also, I'm in Canada so maybe there are different formulas for export to various countries.
Does borax absorb odours like baking soda does? The smell in the detergent aisle of the supermarket is so overpowering, I'm wondering if it's absorbing odours from the other products. It's too bad so many people feel the need for toxic fragrance in just about everything.
Have you tried the health food store in the laundry section? If they don't have it in stock, they may be able to order it for you (as long as it isn't a "repackaged" 20 Mule Team product). Good luck! Bess
(La Center,wa)
07/29/2014
I just bought 20 mule borax at walmart.. no scents at all...
(Somewhere, Usa)
07/30/2014
I have seen a lot of posst on here about BORAX now being scented in many markets. I also read, where some guy that was promoting borax as an arthritis cure, said to stock up on it, as soon it would be removed from shelves.... Sorry for not having that source to list, I read so much it is impossible for me to add everything to my favorites and list.
Just my opinion, maybe the company that makes the borax is coming under fire from some outside source and is being encouraged to add fragrance to the product now. I have been able to still get 100% all natural 20 mule team at my area grocery stores, but any day that could end. I don't think they would quit making the stuff or selling it, but adding fragrance may be a way to discourage internal use.
I want to buy several boxes to put up, but not sure how or where to store it long term. We have to continue to think ahead of them, because no sick people equals no money for them. So I would strongly encourage people that have access to the 100% all natural to stock up on it as soon as possible.
(Hope Bc Canada)
07/30/2014
Hi, Rebel from somewhere, US ---- you are quite right. And this is going to happen to a number of supplements. It is already happening.
I have ordered and received a large order of ESSIAC after I was told that one company had published some testimonies about its effectiveness and cures. They were pulled into court and told they cannot provide testimonies. Like "you cannot do this". They also lost their business.
Lugol's Iodine has been removed from the Canadian market and US companies cannot sell to Canada. Best thing to go online and let Tony Pantalleresco teach to make it yourself on YT.This is blatant disservice to the people of the entire country.
It is best to take the cue from there.
Namaste, Om
(Devon, Uk)
03/02/2016
Strange that Canada should ban Lugol's. Spoke to a friend recently returned from Canada, and she was surprised by how many cannabis plants she saw growing in people's back gardens. Definitely weird country.
(Tennessee)
07/30/2014
Dear Rebel,
Borax should be stored in a cool dry place. Moisture makes it clump. But you can just crush it back up with a hammer. It should be able to be stored indefinitely. It was sitting in a borax mine for a long time before it was put in a box, though processed before boxing.
I found this website:
http://www.20muleteamlaundry.com/about/what-is-borax/
Interestingly, it mentions that borax used to be used to aid digestion, keep milk sweet, and cure epilepsy. It pooh poohs on this now, because of "modern technology and common sense." But we know that the old timers knew more than they often get credit for!
Thanks for the heads up on stocking up--and Om, for your information about natural items being banned for sale. My chiropractor says the same thing.
~Mama to Many~
(Tennessee)
07/30/2014
Another thought on storing Borax...it does seem to absorb odours, thus the common concern that it has fragrance...it is on the shelf with strongly scented laundry products and absorbs their odours.
For long term storage, I think glass jars, of light, would be ideal. Even food grade freezer weight storage bags will have an odour transfer, so I don't think they would be the best, though they may be better than the box the borax comes in.
Just a few thoughts....
~Mama to Many~
(Tennessee)
07/30/2014
Meant to say,
"For long term storage, I think glass jars *out* of light, would be ideal. (In other words, in a cool dark place.)
~Mama~
(Boston, MA)
08/30/2014
Wanted to come back to the thread I started to update: I am back with borax again :)
Had a recent skin rash that resisted all treatments, in desperation I remembered the box of Borax I'd stashed in the garage last year after opening it and finding it scented. Poured some out and found....no scent! The time spent stored in the cool garage had removed the odor, which was obviously from other scented products that had been stored/shipped with my Borax box.
The cardboard packaging is obviously very porous and Borax itself highly absorbent. And I'm guessing it wouldn't be cost-efficient (nor environmentally sound) to package it in plastic....going forward I'll be purchasing well in advance of running out, pouring it into an open container and leaving it for several weeks in my garage or shed to air out. I'd advise others who have had the same problem to do this as well.
re: my rash: two days of bathing in Borax and my swelling and itching have subsided, after two weeks of agony. Am so happy to be using this amazing product again. Hope this experience is helpful to others.
(Usa)
06/23/2017
Borax was traditionally used in place of the current meat cures sold for sausages and the like. Russians I believe still pack caviar with it and the English (UK) insisted on having it used in place of salt for food preservation...circa 1910-1920ish until it was banned for use in meats. Why was it banned? Maybe it worked too well and kept people from getting sick since they were eating it constantly.
The 20 Mule team brand is what I use and I generally buy it at Wally world or Dollar General in the laundry aisle. There is another thing I think put out by Proctor and Gamble that is a washing soda...do not use that it is not the same thing!!!
My usual dosing now since I have done the detoxes and gotten past all that is a pinch in my coffee in the morning. That is about the same dosage for maintenance as is recommended in the 1 liter concentrate but even with a good scale (I have one) it is very difficult to measure such small amounts so I either pinch it or wet the tip of my finger and dip it in to the first joint and then dip my coffee or tea.
