A: Boosts the effectiveness of all brands of laundry detergent. Inhibits certain enzymes from producing odor and controls odors in smelly clothes. Inhibits the activity of enzymes that feed on residual urea and prevent odors in baby clothes, bedding, sleepwear, and diapers.

A: Borax is a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It's widely used as a household cleaner and a booster for laundry detergent. It's a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen.

A: Borax is effective at cleaning clothes and helping detergents work because it helps adjust the pH levels of the wash itself. Borax is a basic compound, so that means that when it is added to water the pH level of the water would move from a neutral 7 to a slightly more basic 8.

A: Borax is extremely alkaline (pH of around 9.1), which creates a basic solution that can help fight acidic stains (like tomato or mustard) when dissolved in water and used as a pre-treating solution. When added to a load of laundry, borax can help get white clothes whiter.

A: Borax is most effective in hotter water, while washing soda is perfect for any temperature. When thinking about doing your own laundry detergent, consider that Borax is perfectly fine, but if you're having trouble getting things really clean then replacing borax with washing soda might be the way to go.