20 Mule Team Borax

20 Mule Team Borax Review & Giveaway {3 Winners}

9:48 PM

Well, summer is in full swing and I am loving the cooler weather that we have had this week. It makes working in the kitchen enjoyable and I love to bake and clean when the air is cool. When it is hot and sticky that last thing I want to be doing is working. If this cool weather is any indication of how the rest of the summer is going to be, I am SO ready! :) Cleaning is something that I really do enjoy and when it comes to keeping my house clean, I am pretty good at keeping up with things. I am not OCD about my house though (unless we are talking about toys, then I am terrible!) and it doesn't have to be spotless 100% of the time. My family comes first and if the house needs to wait until tomorrow to be cleaned then so be it. It can wait. Now, at the end of my day, I typically do a walk-through of the house and pick up toys, wipe down counter tops and straighten things up a bit. If there is one thing I do enjoy it is waking up to a clean and ready-for-the-day house.
One of the rooms of my house that just has to be clean is my kitchen. I have a lot of experience with ants and so I know the importance of a clean kitchen. So, when it comes to cleaning supplies for my kitchen I tend to use multi-purpose cleaners. 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster is something that I use regularly for my laundry but did you know that it can also be used for cleaning purposes? I never did until recently and have been using Borax around my house ever since. I have often wondered where the name "20 Mule Team" came from and thought you would be interested in learning more about the history behind the famous name...

Twenty-mule teams were a solution to the transportation problem of moving millions of pounds of borax from remote mines in inaccessible Death Valley to the railroad at Mojave.

Originally, teams of eight and 10 mules were used. But the 165-mile trek proved to be too much for these teams. According to local legend, Harmony Borax superintendent J.W.S. Perry and a muleskinner (or driver) named Ed Stiles came up with the idea of hitching two 10-mule teams together. The result was 100-foot-long team that took 10 days to carry 10 tons of borax one way across the desert.

Three men operated the 20-mule teams, which were actually 18 mules and two horses. The mule teams hauled more than 12 million pounds of borax 165 miles in the five years between 1883 and 1888. During this time not a single animal was lost, nor did a single wagon break down. In 1894, a steam traction engine named “Dinah” was brought in to replace the mules, but she proved less reliable, and was eventually towed back to town by the mules she tried to replace.

After the mules were replaced by a new rail spur, the Pacific Coast Borax company added the name 20 Mule Team to Borax. The symbol was first used in 1891 and registered in 1894.

How interesting is that! I would have never guessed but now, I know! It is also really neat to note that Borax has been used for so many years. You really know a product is good if it has stood the test of time and is still used now!
So, for this review I was sent a box of 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster and also some coupons to give away to some of you! Borax is a regular additive to my laundry and while it is odorless and doesn't seem to add much to my laundry, it does a great job cleaning my clothes and helping my detergent work better. It is also really helps to remove stains in clothing and believe me, with three toddlers we have a LOT of  stained clothing around here!
Because I have never cleaned the drains of my kitchen sinks, I thought that it would be a good idea to use the 20 Mule Team Borax on them to see how well it worked! You can also use this product to clean your disposal if you had one. I had one at the old house and I miss it terribly!! Those things are simply the BEST.
So, all you do is sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, flush well with water. That is all you need to do! Any foul odors will be gone and your sink will be cleaner than it was. I have never noticed any bad smells from my drains but it is good to know that now they are clean!
Not only can you use Borax in your sinks, but you can also use it for your laundry (it naturally softens hard water which helps your detergent work at it's maximum capabilities), washing your dishes and even adding it to your dishwasher to eliminate water spots and residue! I love that! I have been noticing water spots on my glasses recently so I may try this out in the dishwasher too.

20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster retails for about $3 and can be found at mass retailers around the country. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone! It is multi-functional, practical, natural and VERY effective! Try it out today!
I have some coupons for Free 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster to give away to three of you! Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive 20 Mule Team Borax for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the 20 Mule Team Borax website and email. Prizes are being mailed by myself. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes and in this case I cannot replace lost coupons. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. 

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50 comments

  1. bn100June 7, 2013 at 12:10 AM

    it's a detergent booster

    ReplyDelete
  2. clc408June 7, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    I learned that the biggest industrial user of borates is the glass industry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Diane CooperJune 7, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I learned that borax was originally imported to the United States from Italy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chris TaubeJune 7, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    My random fact: There's a 20 Mule Team Museum!

    I grew up about 20 minutes from the Borax "plant", and we used to take field trip to Borax and the museum.

    Lori Taube
    cltaube @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. CelesteJune 7, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I learned that it works in all washing machines, even high-efficiency.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LizJune 7, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    I learned that you an also Add a half cup of 20 Mule Team Borax to reduce water spotting, remove grime, and put a shine on dishes, utensils, pots, and pans.

    Love3570@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. DONNA CHEATLEJune 7, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    20 Mule Team Borax is from California

    lilypaddj3 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. LIDARKSIDEJune 7, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Originally, borax was imported to the United States from Italy and Tibet for use in ceramics and goldsmithing.

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  9. KarinJune 7, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    can use Borax to clean toilets and keep them bacteria—and odor—free.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gina WildorchidJune 7, 2013 at 9:32 PM

    I learned that you can use it in carpet steam cleaning machines.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Claudia NJune 7, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    I learned that 20 Mule Team Borax comes from California where one of the world’s largest deposits was discovered in 1913.

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  12. JeanJune 9, 2013 at 6:07 AM

    I learned that Borax is 100% natural

    ReplyDelete
  13. Allison DownesJune 9, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    I learned this: Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate: a naturally occurring substance produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.

    Thank you for the nice giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stephanie LarisonJune 10, 2013 at 10:40 PM

    I've learned that 20 Mule Team Borax comes from California! I've been using this stuff for laundry soap mix for years.

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  15. Sue DJune 11, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    I learned what efforts are being made to obtain the borax in a sustainable way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. lisaJune 11, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    Borax is 100% natural

    ReplyDelete
  17. Savingwith SaveoneJune 17, 2013 at 11:06 PM

    I learned that I can use it to clean just about anything and for all different rooms in the house, laundry, kitchen, bathroom/shower, stovetop, counters and more.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJune 18, 2013 at 3:08 PM

    I didn't know that use can mix it and use it to steam clean carpets.


    Desiree Dunbar
    desireedunbar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. susan1215June 18, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    I learned that it works in all washing machines.

    ReplyDelete
  20. sottovoceJune 19, 2013 at 7:25 PM

    I found this interesting: " In 1881, a prospector named Aaron Winters learned about the value of white crystalline ulexite (the earliest known form of borax) from another prospector. The test, at that time, for purity was to pour alcohol and sulfuric acid over the ore and ignite it. If it burned green, it was borax."

    ReplyDelete
  21. tavernieJune 19, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    I learned its all natural!!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. BrandiJune 20, 2013 at 12:10 AM

    You can use it to clean your carpet.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mihaela DayJune 20, 2013 at 1:36 AM

    that Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate: a naturally occurring substance produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.

    ReplyDelete
  24. mecarolksJune 20, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    I learned 20 Mule Team Borax is from California

    ReplyDelete
  25. shirley HicksJune 20, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    I learned it can work in all types of washing machines




    cpsnsamples@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. tina reynoldsJune 20, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    I like it could help with laundry stains thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jennifer BlantonJune 20, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    its all natural since 1891

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  28. DebraJune 20, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    100% natural, and 99.5% pure

    ReplyDelete
  29. MELINAJune 20, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    learned borax can be used for odor control

    ReplyDelete
  30. brendaelsnerJune 20, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    I learned that it is all natural and boxed here in the United States.

    ReplyDelete
  31. natalia ryjovaJune 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    I learned it was 100 percent natural and that its based from California.
    yanabanana70@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. mtbears819June 20, 2013 at 8:02 PM

    100 percent natural-DorothyDeakyne

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  33. sheila resselJune 20, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    I learned that it is all natural which I like.

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  34. Karrie MillheimJune 20, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    It helps control odors and that is what i need it so badly for. gonna need to try it when i shop next

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  35. Ava ChavezJune 20, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    No idea I could use it in my HE washer!!

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  36. Emmy CoffeeJune 20, 2013 at 10:36 PM

    Fresh-cut flowers of many varieties may be permanently preserved with Borax!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Storm, The Psychotic HousewifeJune 20, 2013 at 10:49 PM

    I learned it is boxed here in the USA

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dawn CookJune 20, 2013 at 11:04 PM

    it is 100% all natural and boxed in the usa.

    ReplyDelete
  39. GiannaJune 21, 2013 at 1:18 AM

    20 Mule Team® Borax increases your detergent's power and controls odors to give you fresh, clean laundry.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Suzie WilliamsJune 21, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    I learned that it softens hard water so the detergent works better. The map shows that my area has very hard water.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Christine DentonJune 21, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    I learned that's it's all natural and that it's a great odor fighter!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Michelle SanchezJune 21, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    It is all natural. 4loveof4@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. peppersaltJune 21, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    It fights stains down the drain.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Amber LewisJune 21, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    I use Borax in every load of laundry that I ever do. It totally makes my clothes come extra clean and can even bring out the nastiness that a 2 year old and 1 year old boy can leave behind.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Chris AlejandroJune 21, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    I learned that it's excellent for toilets! Great stuff to have at hand! lexbaylor17 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Susan SmoaksJune 21, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    i learned that borax is a stain fighting booster
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com
    tony l smoaks on rafflecopter

    ReplyDelete
  47. Buddy GarrettJune 21, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    I learned there is a 20 Mule Team Borax Museum.

    ReplyDelete
  48. heymissvirginiaJune 21, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    I learned that Financial troubles forced Coleman to sell his properties to Francis Marion “Borax” Smith for $500,000 in 1890. Smith then created the Pacific Coast Borax Company which eventually became 20 Mule Team® Borax.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sarah HallJune 21, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    I learned that this product was originally imported from other countries.

    ReplyDelete
  50. lilykJune 21, 2013 at 6:33 PM

    I learned that borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate.

    ReplyDelete

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