Branch Basics Review and how to use it

Wondering how to use Branch Basics and how well it really works? This post gives a full review! 

If you’re a loyal blog reader, you already know that a healthy lifestyle and clean living is hugely important to me. And household cleaners and products are some of the worst offenders when it comes to harsh ingredients and toxins. And if you are careful about what you put ON your body, you should also care what you’re touching and breathing day to day. That’s where Branch Basics comes in.

And while I’m certainly not perfect when it comes to clean living – I don’t buy all organic food, I highlight my hair, and I’m always on the hunt for the BEST mascara (this Tarte mascara holds the #1 place currently) – I do try to make a conscious effort to switch to better products that we use in our daily life. Progress is better than perfection. (And definitely better than not trying at all!)

Branch Basics Review and how to use it

Over the past few years, I’ve really focused on improving what we use for our household cleaning supplies and have used Branch Basics for 5+ years. I like it for some things but not all so I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

What is Branch Basics?

Branch Basics is a concentrate and multi-purpose cleaner that is plant and mineral based. It removes grease, grime, dust, and dirt, without the harmful chemicals that typical multi-purpose cleaners leave behind. The unique thing about Branch Basics vs. other clean cleaners you’ll find is that you only have to buy ONE product. How? Via their concentrate that you can use for creating almost any type of cleaner. More details below on how that works.

How does Branch Basics work?

The Branch Basics concentrate is simply mixed with water. The exact ratio of concentrate to water varies depending on the type of cleanser you’re making, e.g. laundry detergent vs. counter spray vs. hand soap. In fact, you can add essential oils for scent or leave it as is. This short user guide is helpful.

What can you use Branch Basics for?

Everything. In short, the concentrate is safe for practically every surface. We’re talking your garage floor, your delicate laundry, sneakers, ovens, driveways, and also even your PETS. I put a star next to the ones I’ve personally used it for and recommend.

• Shaving
• Produce wash
• Hardwood floors * (I use a TINY amount in my tineco)
• Bathing your pets
• Cleaning your jewelry
• Washing cloth diapers
• Cleaning your coffee machine
• Body Wash * (This is what I use on my toddler!)
• Tubs *
• Sinks *
• Showers * (I use Force of Nature for mold, however)
• Mirrors
• Toilets *
• Floors *
• Cleaning grout
• Dishes
• Countertops *
• Stovetops *
• Oven
• Fridge *
• Stainless Steel
• Grills
• Cars
• Outdoor furniture *
• Bikes *
• Toys * (My son loves washing his toys, inside and out, and I appreciate this safer option for him)
• Driveway
• Laundry * (It’s okay but not great – more on that below)

Branch Basics Concentrate Ingredients

• Purified Water
• Decyl Glucoside
• Organic Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
• Coco-Glucoside
• Sodium Citrate
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Sodium Phytate

The concentrate is:

• Human Safe
• Plant and mineral based
• Free of harmful preservatives
• Biodegradable
• Not tested on animals
• Non GMO

Branch Basics provide a guide for how much concentrate to use per “product” that you’re making. So instead of buying a million different products, you only need one bottle of concentrate + water + bottles to hold your mixtures.

You can also either buy the spray bottles directly from Branch Basics which are made with measurement lines on them. Or use your own bottles and measure the Branch Basics concentrate and water yourself. Branch Basics offers both plastic and glass bottles. And the glass ones are so pretty, you almost want to clean. (In fact, I do weirdly love wiping the counters down.)

Branch Basics Review – my honest thoughts on how it works for laundry, cleaning, etc.

Laundry Detergent

You know that concentrate that I just mentioned? You can use it as laundry detergent! I loved it for a few months (especially the simplicity of it… just add the correct measurement of water, and voilá, detergent), but after a few months, I noticed that my clothes were feeling stiff and hard. I started to hate how our clothes and towels felt, so I switched to the Force of Nature Detergent Sheets (which I love). 

However, it’s worth noting that Branch Basics might be a great option for you if you are super sensitive to most detergents. Since the ingredients are so clean and simple, it’s a good option to try! If you decide to try Branch Basics for your laundry, just use just 3/4 – 1 capful! And it’s also a small cap!

I don’t love the concentrate as my detergent, however I do love the Oxygen Boost (one of the only other products they sell, other than the concentrate). I add it to the wash whenever I’m washing towels or sheets.

Hand Soap

All you need for this is a foaming hand soap pump and you can add various essential oils to it. Or, you can buy their hand soap pre-made, which is much better honestly. I don’t love a foaming hand soap and I keep the premade one in my kitchen.

Multi-purpose cleaner

I use the multi-purpose cleaner mixture for my kitchen, for wiping down counters, for wiping finger prints off cabinets, you name it. I also keep one in my workout area in teh basement to wipe down my Peloton and yoga mat.

For cleaning bathrooms and disinfecting the kitchen sink, I prefer Force of Nature cleaner.

Using essential oils

While I was iffy about Branch Basics at first I realized that I liked it a LOT more once I started added essential oils. I am actually really sensitive to scent and hate scented laundry detergent, garbage bags, etc. but I do like the freshness that an essential oil brings to the Branch Basics cleaning products!

Are typical cleaning products actually toxic?

Yes, many are. Many of the products in our homes are harmful for us. In fact, they even contribute to things like respiratory issues, fertility issues, cancers, immune systems and more. There are so many chemicals in the products that we use everyday, and making the switch to a brand like Branch Basics is such a simple but effective choice for your family’s health.

To evaluate what’s under your sink, Branch Basics recommends thinking through these things:

If there is no ingredient list, toss.

If the bottle says WARNING, CAUTION, or DANGER–– toss.

If Fragrance is listed as an ingredient, toss.

And if it says UNSCENTED or FREE & CLEAR, without an ingredient list to verify, toss. (“Fragrance” will often show up in these!!)

If it contains Synthetic Preservatives, get rid of it. Words to look for: Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol.

If it contains Ethoxylated Ingredients, toss.

Branch Basics Starter Kits

There are a few options to get your cleaner cleaning going, outlined below.

Starter Kit + Oxygen Boost

This is the option I started with since I knew I wanted to replace as many cleaners as possible from the get-go. It also comes with the 33 oz concentrate, three empty spray bottles, one Foaming Wash bottle, one Laundry bottle and one Oxygen Boost.

Starter Kit

The basic starter kit has a 33 oz. Concentrate, three empty spray bottles, one Foaming Wash bottle and also one Laundry bottle.

Laundry Kit

The laundry kit comes with a 33 oz. Concentrate, one Laundry bottle and one Oxygen Boost.

Trial Kit

If you’re just trying to see if you think you’ll like Branch Basics, start here. This trial set comes with a Mini Concentrate, which has just enough concentrate to make one full bottle.

Is Branch Basics a disinfectant?

It is not. In fact, it is not a sanitizer either. Branch basics works to remove germs from surfaces the way soap and water does from your hands. If you want a disinfectant, definitely go for Force of Nature (full review linked).