Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
-----
Boric Acid as an Eye Wash
Hello. For what it may be worth:
According to my old bottle of MK boric acid powder's directions: "AS AN EYEWASH FOR TIRED EYES...Prepare a solution by boiling one level teaspoon to a pint of water. Use warm. Store in sterile container. Prepare sufficient for one day's use and discard unused portion."
Because I have one and want all the more to be careful to avoid a waterborne infection, I use a silver/ceramic filter on my tap water before I boil it with the boric acid powder.
Thanks.
- El Cerrito, California
August 31, 2022
I too grew up with this solution in my home during the "50's no doubt the product was more authentic than as today since the government started to break it down to promote other brands, which are considered to be a slow deadly poison, if issued internally, can cause heart attacks or blackouts, so we're darned if we do or don't. All I was told is that the Boric Acid ward's off certain pollution in the air, I believe that it was also used as a douche cleanser.
- Brooklyn New York
October 3, 2023
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⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩
Q. My father mixes boric acid purchased at Phar Mor mixes it with water to wash his eyes. Is this safe even though it is (an insect) poison?
George Kipples- Naperville Illinois
2001
A. Hi George. What does the label say? -- I'm not really asking for further detail, just making the point that things should be used only for their intended purpose. A product intended as an insecticide does not offer enough purity assurance to put in your eyes even if it's the same basic chemical :-)
When I was younger, boric acid was widely used as an eyewash, and in those days everyone thought it perfectly safe. Most families had a box of it and an eyecup in the hall closet.
|
opinion! Today the pharmaceutical mega-corps own the FDA and our political system, making it impossible for us to know whether traditional cures are dangerous or whether the mega-corps just want generic remedies outlawed to protect their $210 per dropper-full business. The revolving door bureaucracy has set it up like this: The FDA calls traditional cures "new drugs" -- meaning they can only be sold after multimillion dollar clinical trials. But they are cheap, generic, and non-patentable, so obviously no one could recoup the money needed to do the testing :-) If your government actually cared about healthcare costs, they'd have the FDA give a grant to a university to run the tests -- but it won't happen unless we refuse to vote for any politician who accepts donations from big pharma :-) That leaves us with "I'd guess it's probably safe, but can't really claim so, because no tests have been run, nor will they ever be". We see their same corruption in abuse of our patent system. The idea was that public tax monies would protect an invention from being copied for a few years, and in return the public gets the benefit of anyone being able to freely use it thereafter. But it all goes in one direction these days as patent extensions are constantly offered for disingenuous little tweaks and it seems that no drugs ever become public domain. But we keep voting for the same politicians who take big money from the industry :-(  Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey AMEN! Albert Deruzzo- palo Alto, California October 10, 2022 |
A. Boric acid has been used for many decades as an eye wash. When used, very diluted in water, it can be used as an emergency eye wash or as eye drops for eye infections. It can also be used safely as a pesticide. It is poisonous to bugs not to humans, and can be used as a pesticide around children. Boric acid also can get through many materials, such as wood and can have lasting effects as a pesticide. It is safe for your father to use this as an eye wash. This method was popularized in the 40's and 50's so his mother probably showed him this. However, why is he using this every day?
Nellie Eshleman- Gainesville, Florida
Q. I've used boric acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] solution for my son when he was an infant (he's now 16). I now have another infant son with an eye infection. I can't remember how much boric acid to use. Anyone?
Patricia Howard- Fullerton, California
2002
A. Patricia, I really think you should ask your doctor or a pharmacist. If you get an answer on the internet, from a stranger with no qualifications (and maybe even with a fictitious name and an intent to harm), are you really going to put that in your son's eyes?
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Hi,
Last year I had an infection in my eye, I don't know what it was, probably a cold or conjunctivitis. My friend's mother used boric acid with water, about half a teaspoon in a cup of water and put it in my eye. Cleared up in about two days. My friend uses boric acid to kill cockroaches; he puts it around the house. It is poisonous to bugs, but not to humans.
Bye,
Hazel O'Mahony- New York, New York
A. Boric Acid solution (mix 1 tsp powder in 1 pint boiled water; let cool completely before using) has been used for decades in treating minor eye irritations/infections. Its routine use disappeared with the advent of antibiotics eye drops/ointments. Boric Acid is still a very useful therapy in non serious cases. It is much better than vasoconstrictors (used today for minor irritations), and a hundred times less expensive. Prepare a solution, keep it in a closed glass or plastic container, and use it when needed with an eye cup, q-tips ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or eye dropper several times a day.
Roberto Lancellotti Maryland- Burlingame, California
Works great for cats with eye infections. Apply solution with soft cotton ball.
hobbyist - Farmington, New Mexico
October 6, 2021
A. Woah ... now I came across this thread while searching the web on HOW poisonous boric acid is because it IS poisonous to humans if ingested.
The benefits of using boric acid to control bugs over using Raid or similar product are:
1. Much cheaper. You can buy boric acid powder and mix it with something to make your own bait or buy already prepared harris roach tablets at any grocery store for $3.
2. Bugs do not develop long term resistance to boric acid. The same boric acid has been used for centuries while the chemical insecticides have to constantly change their formulas because bugs become resistant.
3. LESS poisonous if ingested and not poisonous through skin. Chemical insecticides can poison you through contact, but not boric acid. It is harmful to bugs through contact but not to humans and pets. According to Harris Roach Tablets web site, you can eat a whole tablet and it wouldn't harm you. But if you eat a bunch you'd most definitely die. But a child or a dog or a cat wouldn't have an urge to eat a bunch because it tastes awful.
It is safe as an eyewash and in fact is the same thing contained in over the counter Bausch & Lomb eye wash that can be used daily according to the bottle. I have no idea what concentration, although you'd probably want to use distilled water.
Peter Vazquez- Miami, Florida
2003
Ed. note: We'd also be concerned about grittiness if not enough time was allowed for dissolving or if more boric acid was put in the water than can dissolve. Unless packaged eyewash is way more expensive, it seems safer and easier.
Q. We used a Boric Acid eyewash for our toddler (now 16) with good results. I now am caring for a litter of 6 week old kittens who are recovering from an upper respiratory infection. They have received expensive prescribed eye drops for about two weeks. There is some residual eye inflammation left. Does anyone know if this same eyewash could be used for the kittens?
Thanks,
Rose Gilbert- San Diego, California
A. I hear all the time that Boric Acid is poisonous, however Boric Acid is in my contact lens solution made by Bausch & Lomb.
Barbara Gallegly- Hadley, Michigan
A. My mother used Boric Acid Solution (not the powder, must be the solution). She mixed 50% Boric Acid Solution to 50% water as an eye wash when we were children and it worked every time clearing up "Colds" in our eyes. I have also used this today. Not only in my children, but also as an eye wash for my dogs during the winter months when they get colds in their eyes. And yes, boric acid can be used as a pesticide. It is slow acting but very effective.
Lisa Wright- Upland, California
Q. I searched in many shops, but I can't find boric acid. Can someone tell me where is it available?
Thanks,
Lea
Lea Milic- Van Nuys, California
2003
A. Boric Acid powder can be purchased at virtually any drugstore. I bought a bottle at Rite-Aid yesterday for my kitten. It comes in a bottle 5-6 inches tall, similar to the type of container in which you might purchase fish-oil capsules or vitamins. It is very inexpensive and effective.
Jodee Gilbert-Uhlman- Rosamond, California
A. I am 52 years old ... and my mom used boric acid as an eyewash to clear up sties, etc. for us as children. I came to this website today to find info about the water-to-powder mixture and reading one of the responses answered my question right away.
I had difficulty finding boric acid, and the pharmacist within a local Kroger grocery store ordered it for me at $5.99 for 6-oz. powder canister. The pharmacist says it will not harm humans, is good as an eyewash.. because of its antibacterial qualities.
Be sure to boil the water, let it cool, then add the powder mixture. I'm using this to clear up an eye infection in my pet dog.
It really works great !
- Nashville, Tennessee
A. Boric acid is a poison... says so right on the package I just bought, so be careful!
Brian Canali- Venice, California
A. Thought you all might like some technical information on this subject
... By J.R. Blasius
"Borates, including boric acid, have been used since the days of the ancient Greeks for cleaning, preserving food and other everyday activities.
"Today, boric acid is found in more every day uses and products than ever before. Among them are eye wash solutions, flame retardants, insecticides, glass products and fertilizers. And yet with all these uses over all these years, the question, "Is boric acid toxic?" seems to be raised with regularity every year. Asking "How toxic is boric acid?" is sort of like asking "How hot is hot?"
"The answer clearly needs to be qualified...and, yes, scientists have figured out a means to compare one chemical to the next. In fact, on this scale, scientists and/or regulators can compare most anything that can be swallowed, inhaled or put in one's eyes. The scale I am referring to gives a figure known as the LD50 rating - a dose that would cause the deaths of 50 percent of a specific animal population.
"One method used to determine the LD50 rating for most substances is via laboratory-controlled oral doses to rats. The following table lists the LD50 (oral-rat) for several common substances as published by the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.
"Substance LD50 (milligrams of dose /kg of body weight) Aspirin 1,000 Boric Acid 2,660 Table Salt 3,000 Boron #10 3,500 Baking Soda 4,200 Grain Alcohol 14,000 Based on this data, boric acid and Boron No. 10 are not significantly different in toxicity than common table salt. In addition, both boric acid and Boron No. 10 are less toxic than aspirin. The greater the LD50 rating the safer the substance is.
"When compared to these common household items, boric acid and Boron No. 10 are not particularly dangerous, and, if used properly, will not cause poisoning. It is important to remember that there have been no known deaths resulting from the use of boric acid or Boron No. 10 in mattresses or upholstered furniture or even in their use as an insecticide.
So are borates toxic?
"Certainly, and so is virtually every and anything else you come in contact with. It is simply a matter of quantity, and the simple fact is that exposure to cotton batting treated with borates is a safe exposure that should not cause alarm in anyone.
"In fact, the levels at which these borate products are present in cotton batting make them very effective control agents against dust mites, mold and mildew, all of with can develop in any mattress of any construction. Controlling the spread of dust mites, molds and/or mildews makes for a healthier home and less of a chance for the homeowners to develop allergies.
"If you believe aspirin or table salt is dangerous, poisonous or in some other way life threatening, then you probably should not use borates.
"If, on the other hand, you can rationally look at the comparative data, you will probably come to the conclusion that boric acid and Boron No. 10 are among the safest of choices for making cotton-batting flame retardant."
--National Cotton Batting Institute
- Killeen, Texas
2003
A. Dear Ms. Howard,
My mother always washed her infant children's eyes with boric acid solution in the 40's and 50's. She had five children and never had a problem with it. The doctors at that time recommended it. I followed suit and washed my three children's eyes with it. When they were infants the tear ducts would get clogged and there would be some pus. A little boric acid solution on a fresh cotton ball a couple of times a day would cure the problem. I also used it on our pet dogs and a litter of cats over the years. Works like a charm. We always boiled one cup of water and then added one teaspoon of boric acid water and stirred. It makes a mild solution. I would make a fresh cup after a couple of days. I would keep it in a cup with a saucer on top to keep it clean at room temperature. The 50% boric acid to 50% water solution that I read about in another email sounds too strong to me. Guess you have to use your judgement. Good luck.
Fran Morabito- Brooklyn, New York
A. I just want to say that the best price I have found for my BA is the one pound plastic bottle of "ENOZ" ROACH AWAY in the garden supply at any Wal-Mart store. Price is only US $2.27.
Melvin Johnson- Clearwater, Florida
2004
Ed. note: It's probably fine as a roach killer, Melvin. But there are purity standards for chemicals depending on their end use, and I would certainly not put this stuff in my eyes; even if it is, generally speaking, boric acid, it is not of guaranteed purity.
A. For use as an eyewash it would be wise to obtain medicinal (USP) grade boric acid. A technical grade meant for insecticide may have impurities you wouldn't want in your eye. I believe a nearly saturated solution is what you want, but without any undissolved crystals.
John Reed- Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Q. I have read all that has been posted about Boric Acid. I am looking to see if anyone has used Boric Acid on Boer Goats as treatment for the eyes? I have a baby Boer with a mild eye infection and several old timers have told me to use it. What do you think? Has anybody out there ever heard of such a thing? Desperate!
Robin Arrowood- Powder Springs, Tennessee
2004
A. Just adding my 2 cents worth here. In the late 1940's and early 50's, my mother-in-law was a nurse... head of pediatrics at the main hospital in Chicago. She gave me her recipe for a boric acid solution when my kids were small. So, yes, a boric acid solution was and is an accepted and useful medication for irritated eyes. Her "recipe" is for a 2% solution: 1 tablespoon boric acid to 1 pint of purified water (boiled or distilled). Also, if it doesn't clear up the problem, see a doctor.
Donna Winder- Pine River, Minnesota
Very interesting on boric acid for eye wash. I was at the local Rite aide today and the pharmacists (2) didn't know very much about this treatment. In fact I was in the eye drop section..didn't read what was in the eye drops...and they said there is nothing in that section for "cold in the eyes". Well they are younger and didn't have the wise mothers of the 50's....haha So they referred me to the first aid section to get boric acid powder. Thanks to your website as I didn't know the mixture for homemade solution.
- Lebanon, Oregon
My college daughter called me tonight because her boyfriend has an eye infection from a cold. First thing I told her was to get boric acid. HAHAHA..she did think at first I was crazy but I sent her some of the posts from here. If she didn't believe me she did believe all of you. I remembered using it on the kids when they were little. However, I did tell her washing their hands and not touching the eyes was the best. Just wanted to share this. Patticakes
- Illinois
A. If you look up Boric acid in RTECS (Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances) you will find the complete test data which also list the LDLO/LCLO - LOWEST PUBLISHED LETHAL DOSE/CONC (or the lowest dose known that caused death). The results are as follows:
Man
LDLo - ROUTE: Oral; DOSE: 429 mg/kg [Journal of Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.19- 1982- (31,345,1993)] TOXIC EFFECTS: Cardiac - Other changes Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder - Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)
LDLo - ROUTE: Skin; DOSE: 2430 mg/kg [JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association. (AMA, 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610) V.1- 1883- (128,266,1945)] TOXIC EFFECTS: Gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea Skin and Appendages - Primary irritation Nutritional and Gross Metabolic - Body temperature increase
LDLo - ROUTE: Unreported; DOSE: 147 mg/kg ['Poisoning; Toxicology, Symptoms, Treatments,' 2nd ed., Arena, J.M., Springfield, IL, C.C. Thomas, 1970 (2,73,1970)]
Woman
LDLo - ROUTE: Oral; DOSE: 200 mg/kg [Lancet. (7 Adam St., London WC2N
6AD, UK) V.1- 1823- (2,162,1917)]
TOXIC EFFECTS: Behavioral - Fluid intake Gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea Gastrointestinal - Nausea or vomiting
Infant
LDLo - ROUTE: Oral; DOSE: 934 mg/kg [JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association. (AMA, 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610) V.1- 1883- (90,382,1928)]
LDLo - ROUTE: Subcutaneous; DOSE: 1100 mg/kg [U.S. Army, Chemical Corps Medical Division Special Report. (Army Chemical Center, MD) (#2,1950)] TOXIC EFFECTS: Behavioral - Tremor Gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea Gastrointestinal - Nausea or vomiting
LDLo - ROUTE: Skin; DOSE: 1200 mg/kg [JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association. (AMA, 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610) V.1- 1883- (129,332,1945)] TOXIC EFFECTS: Behavioral - Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Skin and Appendages - Dermatitis, other Nutritional and Gross Metabolic - Body temperature increase
Child
LDLo - ROUTE: Skin; DOSE: 4 gm/kg/4D [Muenchener Medicinische Wochenschrift. (Munich, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.33-115, 1886-1973.
(52,763,1905)]
LDLo - ROUTE: Skin; DOSE: 1500 mg/kg [Quarterly Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology. (London, UK) V.2-21, 1929-48. For publisher information, see JPPMAB. (6,714,1933)]
TOXIC EFFECTS: Sense Organs and Special Senses (Nose, Eye, Ear, and Taste) - Conjunctive irritation Lung, Thorax, or Respiration - Respiratory depression Gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea
While boric acid when used correctly is great stuff, it most certainly can be toxic even fatal. SO BE CAREFUL not to keep this where young children can get to it! And read the warnings on the package!
Tammy Steinert- Norfolk, Virginia
I WAS SO HAPPY TO FIND THIS SITE WHICH GAVE ME THE "RECIPE" FOR A 2% BORIC ACID SOLUTION. I HAVE USED A SOLUTION FOR YEARS FOR "SWIMMERS EAR" THAT CONSISTS OF 2% BORIC ACID AND ALCOHOL. AS I CURRENTLY HAVE A VERY PAINFUL EARACHE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND MY "REMEDY" I WAS VERY HAPPY TO FIND THIS SITE WHICH ENABLED ME TO MAKE MY OWN. THANK YOU!
MEDICAL - CALIFORNIA
A. My local pharmacist just advised me to use one teaspoon of boric acid in a quart of water for kittens' eyes that are infected. Her caution was not to keep the solution any great length of time in storage. Make new when needed.
Gary Beckwith- McGill, Nevada
Q. I have seen recipes from 1/8 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp mixed with 8 oz boiling water to clean eye stains from Persian cats. Never mentions putting it in their eyes, just wiping the stains on the outside. However, all breeders and my vet say it is ok to use the same type saline solution I get for my contacts as an eyewash for my Persians. Think I'll start with the 1/8 tsp as I'd rather have a little brown under their eyes that hurt them. On the bug stuff.... Me with cats that go outside in my yard a couple hours a day, how does one use the boric acid as pest control. Mix in a spray bottle - has anyone with pets used this and if so what mixture?
Mermaid Maniacomputer - Austin, Texas
2004
Thanks to this website for the helpful information. I was wary at first on using boric acid
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
for my girlfriend's new kitten. Now I can feel comfortable using the solution for an eyewash.
- Lapeer, Michigan
A. I have used Boric Acid for conjunctivitis (pink eye) as well as cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. The instructions on my container from Rea and Derick is as follows- Directions: To make a solution, dissolve one tablespoon in a pint of boiled water. If intended as an eyewash, prepare a solution by boiling in water and store in a sterile container. Prepare sufficient quantity for one day's use and discard unused portion. Based on the recommended ratio.... I prepare 1/2 cup boiling water with 3/4 tsp Boric Acid (3 1/4 leveled teaspoons) or 1 cup boiling water with 1 1/2 leveled teaspoons Boric Acid. Err on the side of using less Boric Acid. I dispose of remainder after 24hrs.
Wash the container, measuring spoons, plastic stirring utensil, and eyewash cup in soap and water. Then sterilize all above and place on a paper towel.
I sterilize my 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup by pouring boiling water inside and outside thoroughly. I then boil 1 cup of water (preferably distilled or sterile water, but I have had no adverse affects with well water) in the sterilized cup with the Boric Acid. Cool before use. A saturated cotton ball will work, but I prefer the eyewash cup available at a pharmacy.
I used the same proportions for pets. (Perhaps I was incorrect but within 3-4 days their eyes clear up.) If in doubt call an older veterinarian who is more familiar with Boric Acid usage.
Tonight my pharmacist mentioned his sister uses the Boric Acid solution for irritated eyes from allergies.
If someone has used Boric Acid as a pesticide, please advise ratio and proper usage against what insects, etc.
Thank you.
Marilyn Mosher- Breesport, New York
A. All we had for an eye wash in the 50's was Boric Acid. My Grandma even used it on kittens.
brook gowin- troutdale, or multnomah
November 23, 2014
A. I have used the following as a very effective control for ants. Ant bait recipe: 1 tsp boric acid (readily available at pharmacies) 6 tbsp sugar (white) 2 cups boiling water add first two ingredients to boiling water. Stir well. Cool. Dip cotton balls into solution and drop into a plastic container that has holes punctured into sides along bottom of container (to allow ants in and out). Put the lid back on to keep out wasps, bees and to prevent evaporation. Place the container along the regular path of ants. Check the balls every few days and remoisten as required. Keep using as long as ants continue to appear.
Carole Myers- North Bay, Ontario, Canada
! MY COCKER SPANIEL HAS CONSTANT EAR INFECTIONS, YEAST INFECTIONS, DROPS, SPRAY, POWDERS AND ETC.,I BOUGHT FROM MY VET, DID NOT CLEAR IT UP, ONLY TEMPORARILY. MY NEW GROOMER TOLD ME TO GET BORIC ACID, MIX ABOUT 1 TSP. WITH JUST A FEW DROPS OF WARM WATER TO MAKE A PASTE, NOT RUNNY AND NOT STIFF, MIX WELL TO GET THE BC INTEGRATED WITH THE WATER, I USE MY FINGER IN A SMALL GLASS BOWL. APPLY WITH A COTTON BALL IN THE EAR GOOD. SHE DID THIS THE DAY I HAD HIM GROOMER AND THAT NIGHT THE REDNESS HAD ALMOST GONE. SHE SAID TO USE IT ONCE A DAY FOR FIVE DAYS AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW WELL HIS EARS LOOK NOW. SHE SAID TO APPLY EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS FOR THE NEXT WEEK, THEN ONCE A WEEK AFTER THAT. HIS EARS LOOK BETTER THEN EVER, THIS SURE DID THE TRICK. COCKERS ARE SO PRONE TO THIS INFECTION AS THEIR EARS ARE VERY HEAVY AND AIR CAN'T GET IN THEM TO KEEP THEM DRY.
Jean R. Keith- Goochland, Virginia
2004
A. I use 16 oz rubbing alcohol, 4 TBSP boric acid powder, 16 drops Genetian violet to make my cockers ear wash. I have made it for many people and it is a godsend!
Patricia Brown- Lexington, OH
October 12, 2023
Q. Can anyone find Boric Acid Crystals? I've never seen this Boric Acid Powder when I went looking for the crystals at the pharmacy. The pharmacist looked at me like I was crazy. Does anyone know if there is a difference for the amount used to make an eyewash solution between the crystals and the powder. Seems to me that the powder would be a bit stronger than the crystals if measured in the same amount as the crystals because it is finer. It is awesome on infections made into a paste, although I've never heard it being used as a bug killer.
Clair STIRLING- Jackson, Michigan - USA
April 19, 2015
A. My father and me got conjunctivitis when we were living in Subic. He was working at the U.S. Naval Base then and the Navy doctor gave him a bottle of 2% Boric acid solution for eye wash.
I got the "sore eyes problem" a week ahead of him and I think I infected him. My eyes were starting to show very red rings (getting worse) despite using medications given by a local doctor.
The 2% solution cleared my ailment and my father's in three days!
Simple, cheap and ancient remedy and yet so effective.
- Sta Rosa, Laguna, Philippines
August 20, 2015
A. Be careful to use the powder and not the crystal form of boric acid. Make sure it is pharmaceutical grade, not bug poison. Don't put bug poison in your eyes. There isn't much control on the contents of bug poison to make sure it isn't going to hurt your eyes. To reiterate a previous post, undissolved crystals can scratch the cornea. If unsure of the recipe, start with the weakest, and increase the proportions if no result in three to four days. Proportions mentioned range from 1/8th teaspoon::8 ounces water, to 1 tablespoon::16 ounces water (too rich for me). No results in 7 days with the stronger mix, see a doctor. Water should be sterile distilled water (boiled and cooled to body temperature). Use what you need, store while using in a refrigerator in a sealed container. When done with that eye problem, throw it out. And keep washing and sanitizing your hands, before and after use.
Try to keep your hands away from your face. Cotton (cotton!) balls can be used to wipe clean eyelids and tear duct areas, NOT YOUR EYEBALL! Any dropper or eye wash cup should either be disposable or sterilized with 212 °F water for 2 minutes before and after use. As always, remember this is free advice, worth every penny you paid for it. For advice worth more, see your family doctor.
Arthur Brands- Metairie, Louisiana, USA
November 5, 2015
Q. I have an eye infection ... my left eye is swelled up. Is it safe to use boric acid? My friends suggested me to do so.
chetna batra- delhi, India
December 23, 2015
Hi Chetna. If you don't want to go to a doctor or pharmacist for real advice, and you don't trust your friends' advise, and you don't feel that the previous 35 postings answered your question, I really doubt that a 36th response will be of much help; but anyone is certainly welcome to reply to you :-)
Feel better, and Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. As a child my mother used 1/2 teaspoon of Boric Acid Powder to a cup of boiled water then Let it cool. Then we used as an eye wash for infections or sties. Works great and within a couple of days the infection will be gone. Still use today and I am 67 years old.
Jerry Herr- Ocean Park, Washington
June 10, 2016
A. Re Sigma-Aldrich chemical co. Storage/Stability --
A 1 M solution of boric acid in water will have a pH of 3.5 - 6.0 at 20 °C. Solutions of boric acid are stable at room temperature and may be sterile-filtered or autoclaved.
- Decatur, Georgia, USA
October 6, 2016
Such a great thread. Thanks so much. Thought I would add to it!
Boric Acid as an automotive lubricant or grease additive.
I read a patent sometime ago that spoke of boric acid increasing the slipperiness of oil or grease when added by some ridiculous margin of something like 8000 times slipperier! It stays so at high temperatures making it just fine inside a car engine.
Some googling turned up quite a few people that use it as either a fuel additive or engine oil additive to decrease friction and so make a motor last longer, run quieter and more economically.
I purchased a used car a year ago and added some home made boric acid powder to my engine oil (about 1/2 a cup). 20,000 kms later and It didn't blow up yet. I didn't have enough data on fuel economy as I did this as soon as I got the car but did notice it running smoother.
I've also worked some of the the acid powder into some grease with a putty knife and have greased all kinds of things with it. Hard to know quite much it has helped things along but rub some between your fingers and it really does decrease friction.
At your own risk people but interesting all the same. Youtube can teach you how to make it from borax
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
and spirit of salts but it's so cheap to buy as I later discovered.
- South Island, New Zealand
April 22, 2017
Q. I recently asked a Pharmacist why I could not find an eyewash with boric acid in the USA. He replied that the FDA no longer approves of this item. I still find it available in Mexico, but it's fairly expensive.
Herbert Royse- Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico
August 20, 2017
A. Hi Herbert. You can get an eye wash from Bausch & Lomb which contains boric acid though.
Your pharmacist may be right that "the FDA no longer approves of this item", but do not read into it that they necessarily have any particular reason to DISapprove of it :-)
opinion! Rather, corruption has consequences, and the FDA, a revolving door regulatory agency run by the pharmaceutical companies themselves, has decided that virtually all traditional cures are to be considered "new medicines", not sellable until expensive clinical trials are run -- knowing full well that nobody can sponsor the rigorous clinical trials they require because no money can be made from non-patentable medicines. It was a stroke of genius for the FDA to declare that they will test nothing themselves, and only allow things that have been clinically tested by others. My last eyedrops were $210 for a quarter ounce vial of something which might not even work as well as boric acid, but under our current system of political prostitutes we'll never know.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. I found Boric Acid Powder (100%) at Dollar Tree - $1.00 for 5 oz. It was/is labeled as Roach and Ant killer.
Bev Kennedy- Dallas, Texas USA
December 6, 2017
! Hi Bev. I wouldn't put something so labeled into a person's eyes though. Just as a Subway "five dollar foot long" should not be used for precision measurement of things, boric acid intended for insecticide use may not be pure enough for other uses (even a small amount of any contaminant could be bad for your eyes).
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Boric acid: For Molluscum, I find that that 1-3 teaspoons of 99% pure boric acid powder in 1-2 cups of pure water dabbed or sprayed on my skin will help the body to get rid of molluscum. I found 99% pure boric acid powder at Duda Energy.
I successfully use it as my eyewash. I also use the same formula as an earwash and I sometimes use alcohol instead of water for swimmers' ear. I found the same formula stops warts. I have also used the same formula as a vaginal douche ( ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ). Anytime I see a cockroach, I put the pure powder into every crack and crevice I can see and this gets rid of roaches for me. I have also done the same for termites and it worked for me. I have had lots of experience with boric acid for many years since I am a senior elder. Boric acid is a lifelong pantry staple for me.
doris long- north hollywood, california, USA
December 24, 2017
Q. Hi, I read a lot about boric acid. I now remember my mom used it on us when we were young.
I wonder if I can use Borax for the eyes. My son has a stye in eye.
Or should I find boric acid?
- Belle Mead, New Jersey
August 25, 2018
A. Hi Linda. BORAX IS NOT BORIC ACID! Just because things sound similar doesn't mean they are. I would suggest Visine, Murine, or some other commercial product which lists boric acid as a primary ingredient rather than trying to make your own eyewash -- or ask your pharmacist. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. I put 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon Boric Acid in 1 cup distilled water warm the water if you want and wash the eye out with it. Be sure to stir and mix really well. It soothes the eye then either spray Vetericyn in the eye or put Neosporin in the eye
It surely helps the eyes of our dogs and horses. The Boric Acid in the distilled water soothes the eyes. The Vetericyn is really a good remedy also.
It will help all infections in the eye but do see a doctor if it does not clear up.
Retired - Wilburton, Oklahoma USA
May 31, 2019
A. Thanks, Delores.
Hi Readers. Please note that "Vetericyn" is a trade name for a range of products, from anti-itch sprays to shampoo, and one of which is 'pink eye spray'. Similarly, the Neosporin line includes some ophthalmic products. To avoid misunderstandings, please don't take internet advice about such things but carefully read labels & instructions for products.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
! I had a case of eye mites, demodex mites, a few years back. What a plague. I used all the commercial products which are just pieces of paper towels cut very small, saturated with commercial solution, individually wrapped in a box and very costly. I even saw an eye guy (doctor, optometrist, opthamalogist, I don't remember) who could offer me nothing. Online says almost everyone over 70 will get them. I was 72. Finally used boric acid remedy found online for the demodex life cycle and that did it! I think I used 3/4 tsp in 1 cup distilled water heated to dissolve but for your sake, look it up, start with caution. No eye problem ever developed from the use and I still use it on occasion if my eyes start itching. There are other uses for boron/boric acid that I use or am investigating. It's sad at least, criminal at worst, that these simple, inexpensive remedies are being outlawed as quickly as possible.
chris gilbert- springfield Illinois
November 27, 2020
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