Why is it called 20 Mule Team Borax?

20 Mule Team Borax is a brand of cleaner manufactured in the United States by The Dial Corporation, a subsidiary of Henkel. The product is named after the 20-mule teams that were used by William Tell Coleman's company to move borax out of Death Valley, California, to the nearest rail spur between 1883 and 1889.

Why is it called a 20-mule team?

The 20-mule teams were teams of 18 mules and two horses that were attached to large wagons which transported borax out of Death Valley, California from 1883 to 1889. The teams traveled from mines across the Mojave Desert to the nearest railroad spur which was located 165 miles away in Mojave CA.

Is 20 Mule Team Borax the same as borax?

borax. 20 Mule Team is the best known brand of borax, which they sell primarily as a laundry detergent booster.

How did borax get its name?

Etymology. The English word borax is Latinized: the Middle English form was boras, from Old French boras, bourras.

Why did the 20-mule team have two horses?

Two horses led the group. Though they were larger than the mules and had great strength for getting the wagons moving, they were not as well suited to the desert conditions as the mules. The 18 mules and two horses were latched to an 80-foot chain, which ran the team's length.

Death Valley 20 Mule Team

Is borax still mined in Death Valley?

Borax mining in Death Valley has ended. Its legacy is still present in the mining remains and artifacts left by those who sought wealth in the white mineral deposits found here.

What was a borax wagon?

Technologically, these wagons, designed to carry borax across the desert from the borax source to the Mojave station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, reveal adaptations to the harsh environment of Death Valley. They had large wagon wheels to traverse the rough terrain.

Can you eat borax?

Borax can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you ingest it by itself, and large amounts can lead to shock and kidney failure. It's banned in U.S. food products. It also can irritate your skin and eyes, and it can hurt your nose, throat, and lungs if you breathe it in.

What was borax originally used for?

Borax had been known since ancient times. The Egyptians used it in mummification, and Marco Polo reportedly brought some back from his Far East travels in the 13th century. In the late 1800s boron compounds were a household staple, used in medicines, food additives and household cleaners. Winters had been lucky.

Can you mix bleach and borax?

Bleach is a strong oxidizing agent, so it will react with any reducing agent. With ammonia, the result is chloramine, a nasty gas. With hydrochloric acid, you get chlorine gas, even nastier. Borax can't be oxidized, so there's no problem.

Which is stronger borax or baking soda?

Borax is significantly more alkaline than baking soda. Borax has a pH of 9.5 vs. 8 for baking soda. That might make it more effective in certain situations, but it also makes it a harsher cleaning agent.

Can I sprinkle borax on my lawn?

Use Borax To Kill Weeds

Borax can also be used in its powder form to kill weeds. You can sprinkle it directly onto the plants for quick results.

Is borax the same as baking soda for slime?

If you're worried about the safety of slime that contains borax, you can use Arm & Hammer baking soda in your slime recipes instead. Baking soda slime is a good alternative to slime containing borax. Plus, you probably already have a box of baking soda in the house.

Is borax still made?

Borax is available at major retailers nationwide for purchase in-store. You can also buy online at participating sites.

Who owns US Borax?

The company, famous for its "20 Mule Team" trademark and the long-running "Death Valley Days" radio and television program, is owned by British mining giant Rio Tinto plc. U.S. Borax traces its origins to the year 1872, when a gold prospector named F.M.

Why is borax in Death Valley?

Seeping groundwater formed glassy borate veins in the extinct lakebeds of Furnace Creek and has moved soluble borates to modern salt flats such as the floor of Death Valley. There, evaporation has left a mixed white crust of salt, borax, and alkalies.

Is OxiClean and borax the same?

Ingredients: Borax is a naturally occurring compound made up of boron, sodium, and oxygen. OxiClean's active ingredient is sodium percarbonate, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water. Uses: Borax is most commonly used as a laundry aid, although it can be an all-purpose cleaner as well.

Can you mix borax with hydrogen peroxide?

Add ¼ cup 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of dish soap, and a scoop of borax (a sodium-based mineral powder). Spray metal chairs and tables with the solution and let it work for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub with a soft nylon brush or sponge, then rinse with a garden hose.

Does borax keep bugs away?

Borax is very effective in killing and controlling various types of insects, including fleas, silverfish and beetles. It is one of the most effective methods of controlling cockroaches in and around the home as long as it is applied properly, according to the University of Kentucky.

Can you mix borax and baking soda?

Remove stubborn stains – Mix 1 teaspoon of borax and 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl. Add about half a glass of warm water. Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and scrub the stains away.

What is 20 Mule Team Borax made of?

Sodium Tetraborate (a natural mineral).

That's what is in Borax 20 Mule Team It's actually 95% Boron, mixed with sodium and oxygen, and is mined in California.

How many mules make a team?

Originally, teams of eight and ten mules were used, but the trek proved too much. A man named Ed Stiles came up with the idea of hitching two 10-mule teams together—twice the normal amount—resulting in a 100-foot-long team that took 10 days to carry 10 tons of borax one way across the desert.

How many mules pulled the wagon in Death Valley Days?

These replica wagons, pulled by a matched string of 20 mules owned and trained by Bobby Tanner of Bishop, CA, have made appearances at some of the biggest parades in the nation, and rekindled an appreciation for borax heritage in and around Death Valley.

What did the 20 Mule Team Pull?

These "big teams" pulled massive wagons hauling borax from Harmony Borax Works near Furnace Creek to the railhead near Mojave, a grueling 165 mile, ten day trip across primitive roads. Although the teams only ran for six years--1883 to 1889--they have made an enduring impression of the Old West.