Borax and Baking soda

[rayh78]

Still not clear on the difference. Based on what I have read.

Borax raises PH
Baking Soda raises Total A and also PH
Or is there an Arm & Hammer baking soda and a washing soda?.

[CarlD]

3 different things:
Borax: Sodium Tetraborate (think that's the name) Sold as a laundry additive, 20 Mule Team Borax.

Baking Soda: Sodium Bicarbonate--you can ingest this in cooking and as an antacid. Arm&Hammer is the famous brand in the orange box

Washing Soda: Sodium Carbonate--or Soda Ash--THIS IS A POISON SO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH IT! Arm & Hammer sells this too, but in a yellow box.

What they do:
Borax raises pH but doesn't raise alk (well, sort of--alk moves up and down with pH).

Baking soda raised alk. It MAY raise pH but is lousy for THAT job.

Washing Soda/Soda Ash raises both pH and Alk (not just the pH-connected movement).