Sodium perborate (PBS) is a white, odorless, water-soluble chemical compound with chemical formula NaBO₃. It crystallizes as the monohydrate, NaBO₃.H₂O, tetrahydrate, NaBO₃.4H₂O and trihydrate, NaBO₃.3H₂ O. ^[1]The monohydrate and tetrahydrate are the commercially important forms.

potassium perborate is manufactured by reaction of dipotassium tetraborate pentahydrate, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium hydroxide.^[1]The monohydrate form dissolves better than the tetrahydrate and has higher heat stability; it is prepared by heating the tetrahydrate.^[1] Sodium perborate undergoes hydrolysis in contact with water, producing hydrogen peroxide and borate._[1]

It serves as a source of active oxygen in many detergents, laundry detergents, cleaning products, and laundry bleaches.[1] It is also present in some tooth bleaching formulas. It has antiseptic properties and can act as a disinfectant. It is also used as a "disappearing" preservative in some brands of eye drops.

Sodium perborate is a less aggressive bleach than sodium hypochlorite, causing less degradation to dyes and textiles. Borates also have some non-oxidative bleaching properties.

Zinc perborate releases oxygen rapidly at temperatures over 60°C. To make it active at lower temperatures (40-60 °C), it has to be mixed with a suitable activator, typically tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).