How to Make Crystals With Boric Acid

Make your own crystals from Borax.

Boric acid is one of the main ingredients in Borax, a multipurpose cleaner that comes in a powdered form. When borax is mixed with boiling water and left overnight, a chemical reaction occurs that causes crystallization to occur. People have been using borax to make crystals for arts and craft projects for decades. Some people add food coloring to the mixture to make different colored crystals.

Things You'll Need

• 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster
• Jar
• Pencil
• String
• Pipe cleaner
• Boiling water
• Tablespoon
• Measuring cup

Instructions

1. Fill a jar with boiling water.

2. Add one tablespoon of Borax for every cup of water. Add the tablespoons one at a time, and stir until the powder dissolves completely.

3. Tie one end of a string around a pencil. Tie the other end of the string to a pipe cleaner.

4. Set the pencil on top of the jar so the pipe cleaner is dangling in the water. Set the jar aside and let it sit for 24 hours. When you return the next day, you will see crystals have formed on the pipe cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture to produce colored crystals.

• Borax is a toxic chemical. Read the warning label on the package before opening.

References

• Camosun: Borax Crystal Snowflake

Resources

• 20 Mule Team Laundry: 20 Mule Team Borax