Honest Branch Basics Review (+ Are They Really Non-Toxic?)

As someone who personally went on the journey of finding the best non-toxic cleaning products, here is my brutally honest Branch Basics review.

Guys, I’m not kidding when I say I’ve tested over nine different non-toxic cleaning brands and dozens of products. It’s a real challenge to not only find cleaning products that are truly safe for your health but yet still do their job of cleaning well.

It took me a while, but after doing lots of research I found Branch Basics. I have now been using Branch Basics for two years, so I think it’s the perfect time to give my honest thoughts on these toxin-free cleaning products.

What is Branch Basics About?

Branch Basics is a U.S-based company founded by three friends, who each dealt with their own health issues and discovered how big of a difference removing harsh chemicals from the home can make.

Their mission is pretty simple: help people create healthier living spaces by swapping out conventional cleaners for healthy alternatives that don’t pose a threat to your health and wellbeing.

As a nurse, I see first-hand how great an impact environment has on one’s health. After conducting my own research, I knew I wanted to try and reduce my exposure to everyday chemicals, especially those in the products I use in my home, personal care, and clothing.

What Make Branch Basics Special?

There are a lot of “natural” cleaning products out there, so what exactly make Branch Basics stand out from the rest? There are several reasons Branch Basics stood out for me:

• Truly 100% Toxin-Free. No greenwashing, no hidden irritants, just real ingredient transparency and only plant-based ingredients. Their products are free from preservatives, phosphates, phthalates, parabens, VOCs, sulfates, chlorine, and fragrance, so you can rest easy knowing it’s actually safe for your health!
• Plant and Mineral-Based Ingredients: Their products do not contain lab-made ingredients. All ingredients come from natural sources which you can clearly view on their website.
• Fragrance-Free: Branch Basics cleaning products are completely fragrance-free, not only of synthetic fragrances but also of essential oils.
• MADE SAFE Certified: This is a strict human health safety certification that very few brands ever achieve. This certification means that Branch Basics products are entirely free from harmful toxicants and safe for health. This is one of the only cleaning brands I know that is MADE SAFE certified!
• Biodegradable: Their formula is made from natural plant-based ingredients that are entirely biodegradable. So, it’s not only human-safe but also environmentally safe!

Are Branch Basics Products Truly Non-Toxic?

Yes! Their products are 100% toxin-free. Made strictly from plant and mineral-based ingredients. No yucky ingredients, no harsh chemicals and no synthetic fragrances.

Plus, I love that their products are both MADE SAFE Certified and EWG Verified, so you know the safety/health rating is great.

Why Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products?

We spend a lot of time in our homes, so it’s essential that they are safe and enjoyable places! Unfortunately, most household items, from candles to cleaning products to furniture, contain harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on our health and well-being.

Cleaning products are a major source of irritants and contaminants! Many conventional cleaning products contain synthetic fragrances and artificial colourants, which can cause symptoms ranging from eye, nose, and throat irritation to allergy, respiratory issues, headaches and migraines, brain fog, nausea and vomiting, and even endocrine disruption! (1, 2, 3, 4)

I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to risk that for the sake of some cleaning products.

Branch Basics Concentrate Review

This is the Branch Basics concentrate, a.k.a the star of the show. Their whole cleaning product line is based on one concentrate. Essentially, they offer one concentrate that can be used for essentially all cleaning purposes.

The concentrate can be used for everything, from cleaning glass to washing dishes to scrubbing the bathroom to doing laundry.

When you order your products, the bottles have fill lines that tell you how much concentrate and water to add. It’s a really simple process!

I initially purchased their Laundry Bundle two years ago, which includes a bottle of the concentrate and their famous Oxygen Boost powder.

At the time, I was struggling to find a non-toxic laundry detergent that actually worked and cleaned my clothes well. If you’re also in the same boat and need a good laundry detergent, read my post about my 5 Favourite Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents.

I’m going to be honest, I was very skeptical that one concentrate (especially one made from only natural ingredients) could actually clean my whole house. But boy, was I wrong.

After my first couple of times using it, I was shocked at how effective it was!

Before going toxin-free, I had a different cleaner for everything: a special cleaner for my shower, a toilet bowl cleaner, a powder for my sinks, a floor cleaner, a glass cleaner, and a leather cleaner—it was crazy! I had like 12 different products!

Fast forward to now, I have basically replaced all of those products with just the Branch Basics concentrate.

How I Use The Concentrate At Home

I basically use the cleaner for everyday cleaning such as wiping down kitchen countertops, glass windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances, and bathroom surfaces.

As an all purpose cleaner it does a fantastic job. Everything you need in one bottle that lasts a pretty long time because it’s very concentrated so you only need a small amount per bottle.

I also use it as a laundry detergent, but mostly for when I need to wash special pieces on a gentle cycle such as wool sweaters, silk skirt etc. The only reason I don’t use it for all of my laundry is because I like having at least a gentle essential oil scent.

Although, I noticed recently that they have come out with a new laundry detergent powder which I haven’t had a chance to try out yet! I’ll have to try it out and will come back to edit this post.

Branch Basics Oxygen Boost Review

The second product in the laundry kit is their famous Oxygen Boost powder.

Okay, seriously, this product is a miracle worker. I am not kidding. I will rave about this product to anyone that will listen. 😆

Before I was serious about going toxin-free, Oxiclean was a staple in my house. It was my go-to for stains and tough cleaning jobs. After finding out it was chock-full of harmful ingredients, I went on the hunt for a non-toxic alternative.

AND I FOUND IT! The Branch Basics oxygen boost powder is the exact dupe but made from clean ingredients! This stuff is seriously so good. I don’t know how the lovely team at Branch Basics did it, but this stuff is magic.

This powder is absolutely incredible at removing stains and impossible cleaning tasks! It’s the ONLY product I reach for when I’m ripping my hair out because nothing else has worked. For example, I got back from a trip earlier this year and didn’t unpack my suitcase until the next day. Little did I know my water bottle spilled and my vibrant red dress seeped red dye into my *brand new* linen shorts… Yes, I almost cried when I saw the damage.

I tried everything possible. Nothing worked, my shorts were still wrecked beyond repair. So, as a last resort I filled the sink with warm water added a scoop of the oxygen boost, a couple drops of the concentrate and completely submerged my linen shorts and let them soak for two days. Third day? I was SHOCKED. All of the red dye gone.

So, basically all that to say that was an impossible job and just two simple cleaning products were the only thing that saved my shorts.

But, it can do just about anything, from removing super stubborn clothing stains to grass stains on my white espadrilles, restoring my Dutch oven, cleaning my car mats and more.

I could probably rave about it all day, but pictures speak volumes about how good this powder really is!

Branch Basics Cleaning Before and After

If you bake bread you know how quickly it’ll stain your dutch oven… but a sprinkle of oxygen boost, couple drops of the concentrate, a good scrub, let it soak for a couple of hours, and the whole stain came out!! My favourite dutch oven is as good as new.

Yup, you read that right. Their Oxygen Boost is made from only two ingredients!! Both of which are safe for your health. You would never see that on any other conventional cleaning product that is this effective. It still blows my mind that two ingredients can do so much!

How Much Does Branch Basics Cost?

Branch Basics offers several different cleaning bundles for a discounted price. I personally purchased the laundry kit, but you can also purchase the products separately as refills. They also offer an option to subscribe and save 10% on recurring orders! If you end up loving their products as much as I do (which I’m 98% sure you will), you get to save on your next orders.

• Branch Basics Concentrate:$55
• Branch Basics Oxygen Boost: $22
• Laundry Bundle: $69
• Premium Starter Kit: $75

If you are considering trying Branch Basics, I would recommend getting a kit because you’ll get more bang for your buck. It’s more expensive to shop separately.

Is It Worth The Price?

It may seem pricier than other cleaning options, but one bottle of concentrate makes 12 full cleaners and 64 loads of laundry. With regular use, one bottle will easily last 4-6 months.

What Can You Use It For At Home?

Both the Concentrate and Oxygen Boost powder are very versatile cleaning products that work on most surfaces. Some of my favourite ways to use these products include:

Concentrate

• Windows, glass surfaces and mirrors
• Kitchen counter top
• Washing dishes
• Stainless steel appliances
• Washing floors
• Bathrooms

Oxygen Boost:

• Bathroom tile
• Toilet
• Sink and shower scrub
• Grout
• Stain removal
• Tough cookware stains/grease
• Shoes

Since these cleaners are made from plant-based ingredients, they are generally compatible with most surfaces and cleaning needs. But just like with any product, always do a spot test (just in case).

Other Products From Branch Basics To Try

So far, I’ve only been using their concentrate and oxygen boost powder but I really want to try their dishwasher tablets and their new laundry detergent powder. As soon as I get my hands on those products and give them a proper trial – I’ll upload my updates here!