Where Is Borax Located at Walmart, Target, and Other Grocery Stores? Everything You Need to Know
Do you know where to find borax at popular stores like Walmart, Target, and Safeway? If not, you‘re not alone! The versatile cleaner can be tricky to locate amongst the endless aisles.
As a cleaning product enthusiast, I‘ve been shopping for borax for years. So let me help you track it down and discover why it‘s such a must-have item!
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover:
- What is borax and why buy it?
- Where to find borax at major retailers
- Choosing the right type of borax
- Safely using borax for cleaning and more
- DIY recipes with borax
- Should you buy borax online?
Let‘s dive in and demystify where to shop for borax!
What Is Borax and Why Do You Need It?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is an all-natural mineral compound. It‘s been mined from dried lake beds for over 400 years.
The 20 Mule Team Borax company popularized the use of borax in laundry and cleaning products back in the 1890s. It‘s been relied on for household cleaning ever since!
Thanks to its alkaline pH and natural whitening abilities, borax is an effective multi-purpose cleaner and laundry booster. It‘s also a natural pest deterrent, mold killer, flame retardant, and preservative for wood.
With annual sales around 180,000 tons globally, it‘s clearly a staple item for many households!
Besides cleaning uses, crafters love using borax for making everything from slime to homemade paints. It‘s even used in cosmetics, enamels, and as a flux in welding.
With borax being so versatile, it‘s no wonder shoppers seek it out on routine trips for essentials. Now let‘s find out exactly where to locate borax at all the major stores.
Locating Borax at Walmart
As the nation‘s largest retailer, Walmart is many shoppers‘ first stop when looking for borax. At Walmart, you can typically find borax stocked in one of three main sections:
Laundry Aisle – Look on the bottom two shelves in the aisle with laundry detergent and stain removers. Borax is often near the 20 Mule Team brand laundry detergent.
Cleaning Aisle – Check the lower shelves near general cleaning supplies like bleach, disinfectants, and scrub brushes.
Pest Control Aisle – Some stores stock borax pest control products here rather than with the laundry items.
The most popular borax product sold at Walmart is the 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster and Multi-Purpose Household Cleaner. This versatile borax powder can be found in sizes ranging from 4 oz containers up to large 65 oz boxes.
20 Mule Team borax products on a Walmart shelf
Here are some tips for finding 20 Mule Team borax easily at any Walmart location:
- Download the Walmart app and search for “borax” to see exactly which aisle it‘s stocked in at your local store.
- Ask any store employee – they can direct you right to the borax.
- Look on lower shelves near floor level where large boxes are often stocked.
| Borax Product | Size | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Mule Team Borax | 65 oz | $4.47 |
| 20 Mule Team Borax | 55 oz | $3.97 |
| 20 Mule Team Borax | 42 oz | $3.27 |
Walmart also sells their generic Great Value brand borax, along with Cesco Solutions, and scented varieties like lemon-fresh and lavender. Check Walmart.com to browse all borax products available.
Finding Borax at Major Grocery Store Chains
If Walmart is out of stock, no worries – you can find borax at any major grocery chain too. Here‘s exactly where to look:
Target – Laundry aisle, lower shelves near detergents and bleach
Safeway – Laundry boosters section of the laundry aisle, often near OxiClean
Kroger – Bottom shelves of the laundry aisle, near the Method brand cleaners
Meijer – Laundry aisle, on low shelves with other washing additives
Publix – Check laundry aisle near detergents and cleaning aisle by spray cleaners
Albertsons – Look in the laundry supplies section and cleaning aisles
Trader Joe‘s – Does not typically stock borax
The layout varies a bit by location. But you‘ll almost always find borax stocked in the laundry or cleaning aisles at most grocery chains. Ask an employee for help if you have trouble locating it.
Pro Tip: Check end caps in related aisles – stores often place items like borax on special end displays when they’re on sale!
Finding Borax at Home Improvement Stores
Home improvement warehouses like Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware also carry borax cleaning products.
Home Depot – Laundry aisle, lower shelves near detergent
Lowes – Bottom shelf of laundry aisle, near washing machine cleaners
Ace Hardware – Look in the laundry and household cleaners aisle
You likely won‘t find borax in the pest control section at hardware stores. Grocery stores tend to stock more of the borax pest killer products.
Choosing the Right Type of Borax
Once you‘ve located the borax section, you‘ll have to pick the right product for your intended use. Here are some things to consider:
Plain vs Formulated
Plain 20 Mule Team borax is ideal for laundry, cleaning, and DIY recipes. Formulated products contain added detergents or scents. These are fine for cleaning but may not work for craft recipes.
Scented vs Fragrance-Free
Scented borax provides extra odor elimination power. But some find added perfumes irritating. Opt for fragrance-free if you have sensitivities.
Generic vs Name Brands
Generic borax like Walmart‘s Great Value brand has the same sodium borate formula as name brands. The main difference is price – generics cost 20-30% less.
Safety Considerations
Standard borax powder is safe for most household cleaning tasks. But opt for a borax substitute like lemon juice or baking soda if making slime for kids.
| Borax Use | Recommended Type |
|---|---|
| Laundry | Plain or scented powder |
| Heavy-duty cleaning | Plain or scented powder |
| Pest control | Plain powder |
| DIY crafts for kids | Substitute like baking soda |
Hopefully these tips help you select the ideal type of borax cleaner for your next project!
Using Borax Safely
When used properly, borax is very safe for household cleaning and laundry. But you should take some basic precautions:
- Avoid inhaling borax dust by wearing a face mask when handling powdered forms
- Wear gloves to prevent skin irritation
- Never mix borax with bleach or acid products due to chemical reactions
- Use cold water when dissolving borax powder
- Avoid getting borax solution in eyes or nostrils
- Keep borax locked up and away from kids and pets
Start with small amounts of borax to assess its effects. You can always add more for tougher cleaning jobs. The standard dilution is around 1⁄2 cup borax per gallon of warm water.
The Many Uses of Borax
Now that you know where to buy borax and how to use it safely, let‘s look at why it‘s such a versatile must-have product:
Laundry Booster
Soaking laundry in a borax solution helps remove stains and whiten fabrics. It softens water too, boosting cleaning power.
Household Cleaning
Mixing borax into all-purpose cleaners cuts grease and grime better than soap alone. It also deodorizes musty smells.
Pest Control
Sprinkling borax along baseboards and under appliances kills ants, roaches, and fleas by dehydrating their exoskeletons.
Mold Removal
Due to its antifungal properties, borax solutions wipe out mold fast without need for harsh bleach products.
Crafting
From slime to homemade laundry soap, DIYers love using borax for crafts thanks to its adhesive qualities.
Deodorizing
Fridges, carpets, bathroom surfaces – you name it, and borax can tackle funky odors!
Let‘s look at a few specific ways you can harness the power of borax at home:
DIY Laundry Detergent With Borax
My favorite green laundry recipe includes:
- 1 bar grated castile soap
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
Grate soap into a jar or jug, then add borax and washing soda. Use 2-3 tablespoons per load for fresh, clean clothes! The borax boosts stain removal.
All-Purpose Borax Cleaning Spray
Mix up an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner with:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1⁄2 cup liquid castile soap
- 1⁄4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons borax
- 10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
The borax cuts through grease, soap cleans, and vinegar disinfects. Spray on counters, floors, appliances, and more!
Mold-Killing Borax Solution
Remove mold safely with:
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup borax
- 1⁄4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Wipe down affected areas. The acidic component boosts the anti-mold effects of borax. Rinse thoroughly once mold is gone.
DIY Slime With Borax
A favorite kids’ craft, homemade slime is easy with:
- 1 cup white glue
- Food coloring
- 1⁄2 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon borax
Mix glue, coloring, and water. Dissolve borax in warm water then add slowly to slime mixture. Knead until desired texture!
There are seriously so many ways to use borax for cleaning, laundry, and fun DIY projects. It‘s the ultimate multi-purpose helper!
Should You Buy Borax Online?
If you strike out finding borax at local stores, shopping online is convenient. Amazon offers the widest selection of borax products available for home delivery.
Walmart.com, Jet.com, and Soap.com also ship borax straight to your door. And hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe‘s let you order online for quick curbside or in-store pickup.
| Where to Buy Borax Online | Price | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $4 – $20 | 1-5 days |
| Walmart.com | $3 – $15 | 3-10 days |
| Jet.com | $5 – $12 | 2-5 days |
| Home Depot | $5 – $15 | Same day pickup |
| Lowes | $4 – $14 | Same day pickup |
The convenience of buying borax online means you don‘t have to hunt down aisle after aisle trying to find it in stores. Just order it with a few clicks and have it arrive at your doorstep in a day or two.
However, check shipping costs first, as sometimes it‘s cheaper to just pick it up in-store. And buying online means you have to wait for delivery.
Find Your Borax Today!
I hope this guide has eliminated the guesswork in locating borax at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and more.
Remember to look on the lower shelves of the laundry, cleaning, and pest control aisles for this versatile mineral cleaner. And don‘t hesitate to ask a helpful store employee if you need assistance tracking it down.
With a history of use going back centuries, borax is tried and true cleaner that tackles stains, odors, grime, and pests. Its natural formula makes it safer than many harsh chemical cleansers.
So next time you need an all-purpose boost for laundry, cleaning, mold removal, or even crafting, seek out a box of borax during your regular shopping trips. Just use the tips above to find it with ease!
Pick up some borax today and discover the many ways this simple mineral ingredient can freshen your home. Happy cleaning!