Borax

Borax is a mineral, and salt of boric acid with 2 main forms: Na₂B₄O₇*10H₂O or Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄]*8H₂O. It can be found naturally as deposits from seasonal natural lakes and is mined from lake deposits worldwide.

Borax is most well-known as a detergent and cleaning agent, and has been cited as being both natural and environmentally friendly.
Besides being a cleaning agent, borax has been found useful in a multitude of other valuable industrial applications in the following industries: ceramics (and glass), coatings, medicinal, metallurgical, food (food preservative and texture enhancer), personal care, and water treatment (water softener). Borax is also easily converted into other borate compounds, making it of value to various chemical applications as well.

Additional Notes:
* Borax is as a food additive is only illegal in some parts of the world, including the USA and Thailand. It is used as a preservative and to add a firm rubbery texture.
* The 20-mule team borax trademark was named after the method of which borax was first hauled out of the Death Valley desert, in California.