Sodium borate, commonly known as borax, is a naturally occurring mineral and a compound of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. It appears as a white powder and is often used in cleaning products, as a pH buffer, and in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Its chemical formula is Na2B4O7·10H2O. In addition to its industrial uses, sodium borate has applications in agriculture as a fertilizer and in the cosmetics industry as a preservative. It is also used in some household products, such as laundry detergents and insecticides, due to its ability to soften water and enhance cleaning efficiency.