i have a confession....

friends, i promise i did not know this before i posted about my homemade laundry detergent. my sister found an article that says borax is a very dangerous chemical and considered a POISON. please do your research before you use this ingredient.

*******here is the article*******
Borax has become very popular in the natural community for use in homemade laundry detergent and other housecleaning recipes. I myself had been making my own detergents with this product. The box itself claims to be a “natural laundry booster”. Alas, with further research, I am rethinking having this product in my house. Here is what I found:
From Borax: How Things Work:
“Borax is natural, but that does not mean it is automatically safer for you or for ‘the environment’ than man-made chemicals. Although plants need boron, too much of it will kill them, so borax can be used as an herbicide. Borax may also be used to kill roaches, ants, and fleas. In fact, it is also toxic to people. Signs of chronic toxic exposure include red and peeling skin, seizures, and kidney failure. The estimated lethal dose (ingested) for adults is 15-20 grams; less than 5 grams can kill a child or pet. For this reason, borax should not be used around food [i.e. the dishwasher!]. More commonly, borax is associated with skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. It is also important to point out that exposure to borax may impair fertility or cause damage to an unborn child.”
Another interesting article titled Borax: What You Should Know shared the following:

“Borax, which is also known as Boric Acid and is sold under the brand name “20 Mule Team,” is often touted as safe and natural. While it is a naturally occurring mineral, that doesn’t mean it is without dangers.
Borax is often recommended as a “safe” pesticide, fungicide and cleaner, but it is officially classified as a poison. Government sites recommend that people who work with Borax use gloves and handle it with caution. Studies have linked it to reproductive problems in some lab animals, as well as a host of serious disorders at higher levels.”
UPDATE: It appears after further research and from findings from our readers described in the comments below, that borax is not the same as boric acid as described in the article above, but rather that sodium borate turns into boric acid upon entrance to the body. It does remain a toxic substance, so please use with caution. It does not appear to be anything we should fear using, but rather use with wise judgment.

That being said, I am in the process of revamping my laundry and dishwasher recipes to avoid borax and to share with you!
What are your thoughts?