This invention produces flame resistant cellulose fiber insulation, which will be referred to as CFI. The best flameproofing agents which have been used in the past are mixtures of boric acid and borax as the major portion of the mix and have been applied both as dry powders and sprayed from water dispersions. Boric acid is quite expensive as it is prepared from borax by the addition of acid and purification of the boric acid. In the present invention lower cost materials and process are obtained by applying a mixture of boric acid and borax which has been prepared by adding acid, such as sulfuric acid, a mixture of sulfuric and phosphoric acid, and the like, to borax to transform a portion of the borax into boric acid. The reaction products, sodium sulfate, or a mixture of sodium sulfate and sodium phosphate in the case both acids are used, remain in the material applied to CFI. While they are not by themselves highly effective flameproofing agents, particularly sodium sulfate is not, they do add somewhat to flame resistance. In other words, the elimination of the step of separating and/or purifying boric acid is eliminated without, however, eliminating its function. The product produced is as good a flame retarder when applied to CFI; in fact it is slightly better. Additionally there are great savings in cost.