Boraxo powdered hand soap has been a household staple for heavy-duty hand cleaning for generations. The gritty, borax-based powder is designed to cut through tough grease, dirt and grime.
However, growing concerns over the safety of borax have led many consumers to seek out alternatives to this iconic cleaning product.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top equivalent powdered hand soaps that provide a similar heavy-duty cleaning ability without borax. We’ll also look at the key factors to consider when selecting a Boraxo powder substitute.
Overview of Boraxo Powdered Hand Soap
First, let’s examine the key features that have made Boraxo a trusted cleaning product since the early 1900s:
- Contains borax as the main cleaning agent
- Abrasive powder formula scrubs away difficult dirt and grease
- Just requires water to activate the soap
- Iconic bright orange box with shaker top
- Produces a rich, sudsy lather
- Leaves hands feeling clean without residue
- Ideal for auto mechanics, plumbers, gardeners and other heavy-duty applications
The challenge for competitors is to replicate the heavy-duty cleaning power of Boraxo’s borax formula without using this ingredient.
Let’s look at the top contenders that stack up closest to the performance of the original Boraxo powdered hand soap.
Top Borax-Free Boraxo Powdered Soap Alternatives
Here is a list of its competitors:
- Gojo Pumice Hand Cleaner
- WORK Integrity Natural Scrubbing Soap Pads
- Sublime Scrub Ruby Crystals Mineral Hand Scrub
- Citra Solv Natural Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner
- Hands Maid All Natural Heavy Duty Hand Scrub
Let’s talk about them in detail.
Gojo Pumice Hand Cleaner
Gojo Pumice Hand Cleaner is one of the most popular direct competitors to Boraxo powdered hand soap. Here are its key features:
- Uses fine pumice grains instead of borax as the abrasive
- Includes skin conditioners to prevent dryness
- Dispenses as a gritty powder from reusable canister
- Crumbles into a sudsy lather with water
- Available in lemon and cherry scents
- Formulated to cut through heavy grease and dirt
- Brand commonly used in automotive shops and garages
While not as abrasive as borax, the fine pumice dust still provides noticeable scrubbing power to lift tough grime from hands.
Overall, it’s a very close match to the performance of Boraxo.
WORK Integrity Natural Scrubbing Soap Pads
These innovative scrubbing soap pads provide an alternative approach to powdered hand soaps. Key features:
- Contains biodegradable soap pads infused with pumice
- Just add water and scrub to generate lather
- Plant-based cleaners lift grease and dirt
- Provides scrubbing texture without loose powder
- Performs well on hands, tools and other surfaces
- Portable and disposable soap pads for use anywhere
The integrated gritty texture of these scrubbing pads allows them to scour away difficult grime without the need for borax. The heavy-duty cleaning action rivals the performance of Boraxo powder.
Sublime Scrub Ruby Crystals Mineral Hand Scrub
This mineral hand scrub offers a unique borax-free alternative with the following features:
- Uses mineral-based ruby crystals as the abrasive
- Adds glycerin for extra skin conditioning
- Dispenses from jar as a moisturizing scrub
- Lathers well with just water
- Leaves no gritty residue behind
- Fresh botanical scent
- Abrasive crystals cut through built-up grease and dirt
The mineral-based ruby crystals provide noticeable cleaning power similar to borax. Overall an effective alternative that scrubs away tough grime.
Citra Solv Natural Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner
Citra Solv is another popular powdered hand soap contender that competes well against Boraxo with these attributes:
- Uses walnut shell powder as the natural abrasive
- Adds emollients to moisturize skin
- Strong citrus scent helps remove odors
- Powder formula scrubs deeply without borax
- Rinses cleanly without residue
- Performed well in industrial hand cleaner testing
This heavy-duty hand cleaner scrubs aggressively enough to handle the toughest grease and grime cleanup jobs.
Provides a strong natural cleaning alternative to Boraxo powder.
Hands Maid All Natural Heavy Duty Hand Scrub
For an all-natural powdered hand soap option, Hands Maid makes a great borax-free substitute with these features:
- Uses finely ground pumice stone as the abrasive
- Adds soothing oils like olive, coconut and castor
- Features a fresh lavender rosemary scent
- Lathers well with just water
- Rinses cleanly leaving hands smooth
- Specially formulated for heavy-duty hand cleaning
- Non-toxic and environmentally friendly
The fine pumice powder degreases as effectively as borax while being safer and more natural. One of the best all-natural Boraxo powder substitutes available.
5 More Competitors And Equivalents To Boraxo Powdered Hand Soap
- Ollie & Al’s Scrubbing Crystals – This mineral hand scrub uses crystals sourced from the Himalayas as a natural abrasive alternative to borax. The crystals effectively lift grease and dirt when activated with water. Also contains moisturizers to prevent dryness.
- Boeshield T-9 Scrubbing Hand Soap – Formulated specifically for trade professionals, this powdered hand soap uses pumice as the scrubbing agent along with citrus oils. It cuts through paints, lubricants, adhesives and other tough grime. Dispenses from a reusable shaker can.
- CleanNado Grease Fighting Hand Scrub – This heavy-duty hand cleaner uses ground walnut shells and pumice for intense scrubbing action. Includes oils and aloe vera to condition skin. Rinses clean without residue. Can also be used as a scrub on tools.
- Goop Multi-Purpose Scrubbing Soap – Goop makes a Boraxo powder alternative from their automotive cleaning brand. It uses corn cob powder as the natural abrasive along with pumice for extra scrubbing power. Available in lemon and orange citrus scents.
- SlipIt Natural Cleanser and Scrub – This unique powdered hand cleaner uses fibers from the SlipIt fruit as an abrasive scrubbing agent. Just add water to produce a natural sudsy lather that lifts grease and grime without chemicals. Leaves hands feeling clean and smooth.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Boraxo Alternative
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when evaluating alternatives to choose the best Boraxo powder substitute for your needs:
- Abrasive Agent – Look for gritty ingredients like pumice, mineral crystals, walnut shell powder or fine sand that provide scouring action to lift heavy dirt and grease.
- Skin Conditioning – Seek options with emollients, oils or moisturizers to prevent dryness and irritation from repeated use.
- Scent – Citrus, floral and natural scents help remove odors leaving hands and tools smelling clean.
- Residue – Ensure the powder fully rinses away without leaving any lingering grit or soap film behind.
- Eco-Friendliness – Check for plant-based, non-toxic ingredients especially if using in food service settings.
- Dispensing Method – Convenient shaker cans or sprinkle jars allow easy powder distribution on hands.
With these criteria in mind, you can zero in on the best non-borax powdered hand cleaner for tackling the toughest grime and dirt buildup safely and effectively.
DIY Borax-Free Powdered Hand Soap Recipe
You can also easily make your own Boraxo powder substitute with a simple homemade recipe like this:
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely ground oatmeal
- 1⁄2 cup baking soda
- 1⁄4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 20 drops essential oil (lemon, tea tree, lavender)
Instructions
- Grind oats into a fine powder and mix with remaining dry ingredients
- Add in liquid soap and oils and stir well until a gritty paste forms
- Add essential oil and mix again thoroughly
- Store in an airtight container. Wet hands first then rub paste to clean.
The combination of baking soda and ground oatmeal provides effective abrasive cleaning power similar to borax powder. The added oils help condition skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In small amounts, borax is generally safe on hands. However, there are concerns over reproductive and developmental effects with high exposure, which is why many people now seek borax-free alternatives.
Boraxo can be found at many hardware stores, home improvement retailers, automotive parts shops and online. However, it has limited availability since being discontinued and re-launched.
Some of the best natural options include citrus solvents with walnut shell powder, mineral hand scrubs and plant-based hand cleaners with pumice or ground olive pits for abrasion.
While not as abrasive, ingredients like baking soda, salt, pumice and oatmeal can provide a moderate level of grit to help scrub away dirt and grease when used in hand soap recipes.
Some of the best natural grease-cutting ingredients include lemon juice, baking soda, salt, vinegar, essential oils like tea tree, and plant-based abrasives like walnut shell powder or pumice.
Closing Remarks
So in summary, while Boraxo powdered hand soap stands out for its heavy-duty cleaning power, there are many comparable non-borax alternatives available, both commercial products and homemade recipes, that can tackle the toughest grease and grime without the risks of borax over-exposure.
With the right plant-based abrasive agent, you can achieve the same fast-acting cleansing results.