General Branch Basics Product QuestionsUpdated 14 hours ago
Are your products septic safe?
Yes!
Are your products cruelty free and vegan?
Yes! We are Leaping Bunny certified to be cruelty free and are vegan (except Wool Dryer Balls are not vegan, of course).
Are Branch Basics cleaning products antibacterial? Does it disinfect?
Branch Basics is not a disinfectant, sanitizer or antibacterial soap. Sanitizers and disinfectants work to kill germs while leaving them in place, which can actually kill good bacteria and create resistant superbugs when certain germs don’t die.
Instead, Branch Basics removes germs vs. killing them, which is the best way to clean under normal circumstances. Only rarely is sanitizing or disinfecting necessary (i.e. when preparing raw meat or after a family member has the flu.) To read more about the science behind this, check out our post Does Branch Basics Kill Germs?
In fact, the CDC recommends opting for plain soap and water to remove germs in your home instead of using a sanitizer!
Are Branch Basics cleaning products safe? Does it really clean?
All Branch Basics cleaning products are human safe. Our products are made from plant and mineral based ingredients, are always fragrance-free and biodegradable.
Unfortunately, in the United States cleaning products are not regulated, which means there is no requirement for an ingredient list. Hazardous, toxic chemicals in these products can severely impact our health.
That's where we come in! You can replace all of your toxic cleaning supplies with Branch Basics.
Branch Basics is also just as effective as conventional cleaning products, without harming the health of humans or the planet! Countertops, floor tiles, pots and pans, bathroom grime, dishes, laundry and so much more, Branch Basics can tackle the toughest of cleaning jobs without harsh chemicals.
Please check out our User Guide for specific use instructions.
Are Branch Basics cleaning products safe for babies and pets?
Yes, our products are safe for babies and pets. Our ingredients are selected with the most sensitive in mind. Read The Journey To Our New Formula to learn more about our ingredients and our non-negotiables.
For all things baby-related, check out Our Non-Toxic Baby Registry and How To Vet Products For Your Baby Registry.
For all things pet-related, check out Our Guide To Pet Safe Cleaning and How To Wash Your Pet With Branch Basics.
What testing has been done on your products?
We've tested our products for both safety and efficacy. The Concentrate and Oxygen Boost have been tested for efficacy on fabrics and surfaces of all kinds using the Good Housekeeping method. There wasn't a stain they couldn't tackle!
Given human health is our top priority, we also used an independent, third-party lab to verify our Concentrate wasn't irritating to the skin or eyes. In the skin test, the lab said our formula was as benign as water, which they had never seen before!
Read more here!
What is the shelf life?
From testing, we know that the shelf life for the Concentrate and Oxygen Boost is 2 years, but we suspect they will stay preserved much longer. Once bottles are mixed with water, they should be good for a year.
The shelf-life for the Laundry Detergent Powder is one year due to enzyme stability.
Is your packaging recyclable?
The plastic bottles that we use are PET1 and are 100% recyclable, but they are also meant to be reused for a long time. Which helps to reduce single use plastic significantly. 1 bottle of concentrate makes 13 bottles of mixed product. We do offer glass refillable bottles as well!
The pouches are not recyclable. We tried compostable and recycled pouches, but found that they were not sturdy enough to ship. The good news is that the pouches use 2/3 less plastic than a plastic bottle. Also, the pouches use much less space than plastic bottles so we can fit a lot more per pallet on the front end to ship them to our manufacturer. This significantly limits fuel usage in shipping.
What does Branch Basics smell like? Is it a fragrance-free?
Branch Basics is fragrance-free. The single word "fragrance" in an ingredient list is actually a recipe of hundreds of proprietary chemicals, some that are incredibly potent and dramatically affect the air quality of your home. We believe in creating a healthy home that is a safe haven for all, which means one that is free of synthetic fragrance. We also do not add masking chemicals to cover up the natural smell of the ingredients. The smell of the Concentrate is subtle and when you dilute it with water to make the different cleaning solutions, it becomes even more subtle. When you clean with Branch Basics, your home will have a neutral smell/smell like nothing. This is how a clean home should smell!
However, if you still miss having a scent, you can add essential oils to your Branch Basics if you would like a scented cleaner. For more on this topic and how-to, click here.