Have you ever made your own borax crystals at home and wondered if you can pour the leftover solution down the drain when you’re done? Borax crystals are fun to make for science experiments and craft projects, but what should you do with any leftover borax water?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about borax and whether or not it’s safe to pour it down the drain. We’ll discuss:
- What is borax?
- The risks of pouring borax down the drain
- Safe alternatives for disposing of borax
- Fun borax crystal science experiments and crafts
- The chemistry behind how borax crystals form
- Borax crystal geodes, ornaments, and jewelry projects
- Using borax crystals for cleaning and household uses
- Where to buy borax and borax crystal kits
By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of borax and how to use it safely without harming your pipes. Let’s get started!
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral compound made of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. It’s been used for thousands of years as a cleaning product and household chemical.
Some common uses of borax include:
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Pest control
- Preserving food
- Fire retardant
- Flux for soldering and welding
- Ingredient in cosmetics, toiletries, and medicines
- Buffer for chemical reactions
While borax can be useful, it’s important to handle it carefully. Borax can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system if inhaled or exposed for too long. Always wear gloves and avoid breathing in borax dust. Keep it safely out of reach of children and pets.
Now that we know what borax is, let’s discuss whether or not it’s safe to pour down drains.
The Risks of Pouring Borax Down the Drain
While small amounts of borax are unlikely to cause major problems, there are some potential risks to be aware of before pouring it down the drain:
- Pipe corrosion – Over time, borax can react with the metals in pipes and corrode them, leading to leaks or blockages. This depends on the type and age of your pipes.
- Toxicity to aquatic life – Borax is toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Even small amounts in wastewater can accumulate and harm ecosystems.
- Algal blooms – The boron in borax acts as a fertilizer and can cause excessive algal growth in lakes and rivers. This reduces oxygen levels in the water.
- Sewage system disruption – Some wastewater facilities aren’t equipped to remove boron compounds. Borax could potentially disrupt sewage treatment processes.
- Groundwater contamination – Borax can leach into groundwater if disposed of improperly in large quantities. This could make groundwater unsafe to drink.
To avoid these risks, it’s recommended not to make a regular habit of pouring borax crystals down drains. Even if a small amount here and there won’t cause major harm, it’s better to be safe and find an alternative disposal method.
Safe Alternatives for Disposing of Borax
Instead of putting borax crystals down the drain, here are some safe ways to dispose of them:
- Allow the borax solution to fully dry and crystallize in the container, then throw the whole mass in the trash. This prevents any borax from going down drains.
- Mix with soil or clay and allow it to fully absorb the borax, then dispose of it. The minerals in soil bind with borax.
- Dilute the solution significantly with more water before pouring a small amount down the drain. At least 10 parts water to 1 part borax solution.
- Contact your local hazardous waste disposal agency. They can provide safe disposal options for chemicals like borax.
- Reuse the solution for another project or experiment. Store it safely in a jar with a tight lid out of reach of kids and pets.
By using one of these borax disposal methods instead of putting it directly down the drain, you can prevent potential pipe, ecosystem, or sewage problems.
Fun Borax Crystal Science Experiments and Crafts
Now that we’ve covered the serious stuff, let’s talk about the fun side of borax! Making borax crystals is a great science experiment for kids and adults.
The basic process is:
- Create a saturated borax solution by completely dissolving borax in hot water. Use about 1 cup of borax to 3 cups of water.
- Add a nucleation point like a pipe cleaner, pine cone or craft shape to the solution. This gives the crystals something to grow on.
- Allow the saturated solution to sit undisturbed as the water slowly evaporates. This causes the borax to crystallize around the nucleation point.
- After 1-2 weeks, remove the crystallized shape from the solution. Rinse and allow to dry.
- Voila! Your borax crystals are ready to display.
The basic crystals look like white snowflakes but you can add food coloring to the solution in step 1 for colored crystals.
Here are some fun borax crystal project ideas:
- Crystal geodes – Coat hollow plastic eggs or skulls with borax to grow stunning crystal geode shapes.
- Crystal ornaments – Use pine cones, pipe cleaners and cardboard shapes for holiday ornaments.
- Crystal jewelry – Create wire shapes to grow crystal pendants, bracelets and rings.
- Crystal landscapes – Design mini landscapes using plastic trees, flowers, dinosaurs, etc. coated in crystals.
Let your creativity run wild! The possibilities are endless.
Borax crystals make amazing science experiments and crafts. Just be sure to dispose of any leftover solution properly rather than pouring it all down the drain.
The Chemistry Behind How Borax Crystals Form
Now let’s geek out and discuss the science behind how these incredible crystals form!
The chemical formula for borax is Na2B4O7•10H2O. When borax is dissolved in hot water, it forms a saturated solution. This means the water contains the maximum amount of dissolved borax possible at that temperature.
As the solution cools and water evaporates, it becomes supersaturated. This means it contains more dissolved borax than the water can hold at lower temperatures.
The excess borax is forced out of the solution and forms solid borax crystals. The borax crystallizes around the added nucleation point, creating beautiful shapes like snowflakes.
Temperature and water evaporation are the keys to growing big, dense borax crystals. The hotter the water, the more borax dissolves. Allowing slow evaporation gives the crystals time to form as excess borax precipitates out.
Understanding these basic chemistry principles allows you to tweak your crystal growing techniques. Patience and experimentation will help you grow amazing crystalline structures!
Making Stunning Borax Crystal Geodes
Growing borax crystals on hollow shapes produce stunning geode-like formations.
Geodes are rock structures that contain a hollow cavity lined with inward-growing crystals. While true geodes form naturally over thousands of years, you can create similar structures at home using borax.
Here are some tips for making beautiful borax crystal geodes:
- Use plastic Easter eggs, hollow plastic skulls, or large plastic ornaments as a base. Look for shapes with large cavities.
- Drill 1-2 holes in the top or side to allow the borax solution to trickle inside.
- Seal the outside completely with quick-drying glue like E6000 or hot glue to prevent leakage.
- Slowly pour the heated borax solution into the hollow shape through the holes.
- Plug the holes and allow the solution to crystallize for 1-2 weeks undisturbed.
- Crack open your “geode” to reveal the stunning crystallized interior!
- For extra visual interest, add a small LED light inside the hollow shape before sealing. This makes the crystals shine and sparkle!
Growing borax crystal geodes takes patience but the results are well worth the wait. Try experimenting with differently shaped bases and multiple colors for even more unique geological art pieces!
Dazzling Borax Crystal Ornaments
Borax crystals make stunning decorative ornaments for the holiday season or year-round home decor. Simply coat wooden shapes, pine cones, wreath frames, or pipe cleaners in a borax solution to grow gorgeous crystallized ornaments.
Here are some tips and ideas:
- Use cardboard cutouts, wooden shapes, or pine cones as ornament bases. Hang a thread or wire loop before coating with borax.
- For a spiral ornament, wrap borax-soaked pipe cleaners around a pencil and slide them off after crystallizing.
- Soak wreath frames, grapevine wreaths, or straw wreaths in borax solution for shimmering textures.
- For Christmas ornaments, add festive touches like pine cones, cinnamon sticks or dried citrus slices before crystallizing.
- Use food coloring in your borax solution to grow colored crystals – red, green, blue and gold are perfect for the holidays!
- Glitter and beads can be added to the borax solution for extra sparkle.
- Try using plastic cookie cutters or silicone mold shapes as ornament bases for unique crystalline designs.
Your home will sparkle with the natural beauty of borax crystal ornaments. Make a big batch to use as holiday gifts or tree decorations!
Dazzling Borax Crystal Jewelry
Once you’ve mastered borax crystal ornaments, take it up a notch by making stunning crystallized jewelry!
Designing jewelry with borax allows you to create unique “gems” and pendants with customized shapes and colors.
To make borax crystal jewelry:
- Bend and cut craft wire into jewelry shapes. Try rounds, spirals, loops or clusters.
- Wrap end loops with wire or tape to attach chains or jump rings for hanging.
- Dampen the wire shapes slightly before dipping them into a borax solution. This helps crystals adhere better.
- For colored gems, use food coloring. For metallic crystals, add glitter or powdered metal like copper or iron to the solution.
- Allow wire shapes to crystallize completely before removing them from solution. Dry fully before wearing.
- Apply a clear glue or sealant if needed to reinforce crystals before wearing.
- Attach crystallized wire pieces to chains, cords, or leather to finish jewelry. Add findings like clasps as needed.
With some basic pliers and craft wire, you can create borax crystal rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings in any style you choose. Make them as gifts for someone special!
Fun Borax Crystal Science Experiments
Beyond crafting, growing borax crystals makes an awesome science experiment for kids and classrooms. There are lots of different experiments you can try:
Growing the Biggest Crystal
- Use thick pipe cleaners or sturdy wire shapes to handle the crystal’s weight.
- Allow plenty of undisturbed time for large crystals to form – up to 2 weeks.
Growing Different Crystal Shapes
- Try using cubes, cones, or different lengths of pipe cleaner to encourage crystal shapes.
- Note how crystals grow according to the shape they’re attached to.
Colored Crystal Rainbows
- Add different food colorings to grow a rainbow of colored crystals on one shape.
- This demonstrates how coloring the solution colors the crystals.
Metal Crystals
- Add a small amount of metals like copper powder or iron filings to grow metallic crystals.
- The metallic minerals seed crystal formation and get trapped in the crystals.
Crystal Geode Caves
- Grow crystals on hollow plastic eggs or ornaments to make “geodes”.
- Use flashlights to observe light streaming through the crystals.
The science of crystallization provides endless opportunities for hands-on learning. Introduce kids to chemistry in a fun, interactive way with borax!
Using Borax Crystals for Cleaning and Household Uses
Aside from crafting, borax can be an effective natural cleaner and laundry booster around the house. Just be sure to take the safety precautions outlined earlier when handling borax.
Some useful ways to utilize borax crystals at home:
- Add 1/2 cup borax to the wash cycle as a laundry booster. Helps remove stains and odors.
- Mix borax with water to make an all-purpose surface cleaner. Rinse thoroughly after using.
- Sprinkle borax in smelly areas like trash cans or under appliances to deodorize. Allow to sit overnight before vacuuming up.
- Use a borax solution to scrub and clean grout. Rinse the borax away completely afterward.
- Make a paste of borax, lemon juice, and salt to polish metal surfaces like stainless steel or chrome. Rinse and dry completely.
- Add a quarter cup of borax to your dishwasher with detergent for extra cleaning power to remove food residue.
Use borax crystals sparingly and carefully when cleaning. Never mix borax with bleach or ammonia – this creates toxic fumes. Rinse surfaces thoroughly after use to prevent buildup.
Where to Buy Borax and Borax Crystal Kits
If you’re ready to start growing your own borax crystals, here are some places to buy supplies:
- Find Twenty Mule Team Borax in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores. This provides the borax powder you need.
- Purchase a borax crystal growing kit on Amazon or at science museums. These provide borax plus fun shapes and accessories.
- Check craft stores like Michael’s in the science experiment section for borax powder and project kits.
- Buy a variety of plastic shapes, wire, pine cones, and other accessory materials for growing crystals at craft and hobby shops.
Many borax crystal products are quite affordable. For small projects, a single box of borax powder provides plenty to work with. Grab some food coloring and embellishments from around the house and you’re ready for crystallizing!
Wrap Up
I hope this beginner’s guide gives you a great overview of how to safely use borax for crafting crystal structures and science experiments. While pouring borax down the drain is not recommended, you can dispose of it properly and enjoy growing colorful, shimmering crystals in your home.
The key takeaways are:
- Use borax carefully by wearing gloves and avoiding breathing in dust. Keep it safely away from pets and kids.
- Don’t make a habit of pouring borax down drains. Use safe disposal methods like absorbing in soil, diluting significantly, or drying fully and trashing.
- Crystallizing borax on pipe cleaners, pine cones, and other shapes makes mesmerizing science experiments for children and adults.
- Craft dazzling crystal geodes, ornaments, jewelry, and more using simple borax solutions.
- Understand how temperature, saturation, and evaporation allow borax crystals to grow.
- Try making scintillating borax crystals today! Just be sure to handle borax carefully and dispose of it properly when you’re done.
For more information on borax crystals, check out these helpful resources:
- How to Grow the Best Borax Crystals – Step-by-step tutorial from ThoughtCo
- Borax Crystal Science Experiment – Fun crystal growing lab from KiwiCo
- Is Borax Safe? – Overview of borax risks from Healthline
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful. May your borax crystals sparkle and shine! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best materials to use for growing borax crystals?
The best materials are those that provide a framework or texture for the crystals to cling to as they form. Some good options are pipe cleaners, pine cones, cardboard, plastic shapes, wire, styrofoam, wood shapes, and more. Get creative with materials from around the house!
How long does it take borax crystals to form?
It usually takes 1-2 weeks for large, dense borax crystals to fully form. Creating the saturated solution is quick but allowing slow evaporation gives the crystals time to grow to an impressive size. Be patient for the best results!
Is it safe to touch borax crystals?
Borax can be an irritant so gloves are recommended when handling the crystals, especially for prolonged periods. Briefly touching the crystals is unlikely to cause major issues but sensitive individuals should still exercise caution.
Can I pour the excess borax solution down the drain?
No, it’s best not to make a habit of pouring borax down drains. The mineral buildup can cause pipe corrosion over time. Dispose of excess solution using the safe methods suggested in this article instead.
Where can I buy supplies to make borax crystals?
Borax powder can be found in the laundry aisle of many grocery stores. For project kits, check the science experiment aisles of retailers like Amazon and Michael’s. Many common household materials like cardboard, plastic eggs, pine cones, etc. also work great.