Branch Basics Concentrate Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 9.4/10
Branch Basics is the gold standard in non-toxic cleaning—the product I recommend when families ask "what's the single best switch I can make?" The concentrate system means learning dilution ratios, but once you adapt, you'll wonder why you ever bought ten different toxic cleaners. The Made Safe certification, superior cleaning power, and long-term value make Branch Basics the clear leader in non-toxic home cleaning.
The Verdict: The best overall non-toxic cleaning system available. Performance exceeds most plant-based alternatives and matches many conventional cleaners. The upfront investment pays off within 3-4 months, and the ingredient purity is unmatched. If you're serious about non-toxic cleaning, start here.
The Branch Basics Story
Branch Basics was founded by three women—Marilee, Allison, and Kelly—whose children suffered from health issues they suspected were linked to chemical exposures. They spent years researching and testing to create a truly safe cleaning system that actually worked. The result is a concentrate built on plant and mineral-based ingredients with no compromises.
Safety Analysis: Made Safe Certified
Branch Basics earned Made Safe certification—arguably more rigorous than EWG verification.
Made Safe requirements:
- Screening for 6,500+ known toxic chemicals
- Evaluation of raw materials, not just final product
- Supply chain transparency
- No "fragrance" loopholes
- Ongoing monitoring
The Formula:
- Chamomile flower extract: Natural surfactant
- Coco glucoside: Coconut-derived gentle cleanser
- Sodium carbonate: Washing soda (mineral cleaning power)
- Sodium bicarbonate: Baking soda (deodorizer)
- Decyl glucoside: Plant-based surfactant
- Plant-based enzymes: Stain and odor breakdown
What's NOT in it:
- No synthetic fragrances, dyes, or preservatives
- No sulfates, parabens, or phthalates
- No ammonia, chlorine, or bleach
- No petroleum-derived ingredients
- No animal testing or animal-derived ingredients
The Concentrate System Explained
One bottle of Branch Basics Concentrate makes:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: 1:16 dilution (4 tbsp per 16 oz)
- Bathroom Cleaner: 1:8 dilution (8 tbsp per 16 oz)
- Kitchen Degreaser/Foaming Wash: 1:4 dilution (16 tbsp per 16 oz)
- Streak-Free Glass: 1:32 dilution (2 tbsp per 16 oz)
- Laundry: 2-4 tbsp per load (undiluted)
The starter kit ($59) includes:
- 16 oz Concentrate
- Glass spray bottles (all-purpose, bathroom, glass)
- Foaming wash dispenser
- Silicone funnel
- Oxygen Boost (for laundry/stains)
Cleaning Performance: Category by Category
Kitchen Degreaser (9.5/10)
This is where Branch Basics shines brightest.
Stovetop grease: Spray foaming wash concentration, let sit 2-3 minutes, wipe clean. Even baked-on splatter comes off with minimal scrubbing.
Range hood: The degreasing power rivals commercial cleaners without fumes.
Countertops: All-purpose dilution handles daily wipes perfectly.
Comparison: Branch Basics outperforms Seventh Generation, Method, and most other plant-based cleaners on grease. Only falls short against industrial degreasers like Krud Kutter.
Bathroom (9/10)
Bathroom concentration handles soap scum and hard water well.
Soap scum: Spray, wait 5 minutes, scrub, rinse. Comparable to Better Life, better than most all-purpose cleaners.
Hard water: Good but not as strong as acid-based cleaners. Repeated applications work for moderate buildup.
Toilet: Add concentrate directly to bowl, scrub, flush. Works well for regular cleaning.
All-Purpose (9/10)
The most versatile dilution.
Countertops: Clean streak-free finish on granite, quartz, laminate.
Appliances: Safe on stainless steel, painted surfaces, plastic.
Baby gear: High chairs, toys, changing tables—safe for everything kids touch.
Glass (8/10)
Streak-free dilution works well but not quite as good as dedicated glass cleaners like Puracy.
Windows: Good results with microfiber cloth. May need second pass on very dirty windows.
Mirrors: Excellent for bathroom mirrors and daily use.
Laundry (8.5/10)
Undiluted concentrate works as laundry detergent.
Everyday clothes: Cleans effectively with 2-4 tbsp per load.
Stain fighting: Moderate. Use Oxygen Boost for tough stains.
Baby clothes: Excellent—safe for newborn laundry, cloth diapers.
Value Calculation
Starter Kit: $59 Concentrate Refill: $49/16 oz
What $59 replaces:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Kitchen degreaser
- Dish soap (foaming wash)
- Laundry detergent
- Hand soap (foaming wash)
Cost per equivalent product:
- All-purpose: ~$0.10/oz diluted
- Bathroom: ~$0.20/oz diluted
- Laundry: ~$0.15/load
The upfront cost is higher than individual products, but you're replacing 6-10 products. Payback period: 3-4 months for average family.
Long-term: After initial kit purchase, concentrate refills last 3-6 months at $49 each. This beats buying individual non-toxic products and dramatically beats conventional cleaners on safety.
How It Compares
Vs. Seventh Generation (All Products Combined)
Branch Basics wins on: Made Safe certification (vs. EWG-A), cleaning power especially on grease, versatility (one product does everything), long-term value
Seventh Generation wins on: Lower upfront cost, no learning curve, retail availability
Bottom line: Branch Basics is objectively better but requires commitment.
Vs. Puracy (All Products Combined)
Branch Basics wins on: Made Safe certification, cost per use, fewer products to manage
Puracy wins on: Ready-to-use convenience, glass cleaning performance
Bottom line: Branch Basics for those willing to mix; Puracy for maximum convenience.
Vs. Better Life (All Products Combined)
Both achieve: Top-tier safety (Made Safe vs. EWG Verified)
Branch Basics wins on: Cleaning power, value, versatility
Better Life wins on: Ready-to-use, no mixing required
Bottom line: Branch Basics outperforms but requires behavior change.
Who Should Buy This
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Families serious about non-toxic living: If you're committed to reducing chemical exposure, Branch Basics is the cornerstone product.
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Those willing to learn dilutions: The concentrate requires following instructions and filling bottles.
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Anyone wanting to consolidate cleaning products: Replace 10 bottles with one system.
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Kitchen cleaning priorities: Branch Basics excels on grease—perfect for cooking-heavy households.
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Long-term value seekers: Higher upfront, lower ongoing cost.
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Safe for everything kids touch and mouth.
Who Might Skip
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Those wanting grab-and-go: Branch Basics requires mixing and refilling bottles.
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Budget constraints on upfront cost: $59 feels expensive compared to $5 cleaner, even though it replaces more.
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Minimal cleaning needs: If you barely clean, ready-to-use products make more sense.
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Those intimidated by concentrate systems: Some people just won't measure and mix.
The Learning Curve Reality
Honesty: The first time you set up Branch Basics feels fiddly.
Week 1: Reading dilution instructions, filling bottles with funnel, labeling.
Week 2-3: Getting used to new routine, adjusting amounts.
Month 2+: Automatic. Refilling bottles becomes second nature.
Most people who stick with it for 30 days never go back to individual products.
The Bottom Line
Branch Basics Concentrate represents the pinnacle of non-toxic cleaning: Made Safe certified ingredients, superior cleaning power, and unmatched versatility in a single system. The concentrate format requires behavior change and upfront investment, but delivers long-term value and peace of mind that no chemical residues linger on surfaces your family touches. For families committed to reducing toxic exposure without compromising on cleaning effectiveness, Branch Basics is the clear choice.
My recommendation: Buy the starter kit. Commit to using it exclusively for 30 days. By week 4, you'll understand why Branch Basics has cult following status.
My usage: Branch Basics has been our primary cleaning system for five years. The all-purpose bottle lives on the kitchen counter, bathroom bottles in each bath, foaming wash at every sink. I mix concentrate refills every 3-4 months and genuinely can't imagine going back to multiple products.
Sources
- Made Safe. Certified Products. Branch Basics. Accessed January 2026.
- Branch Basics. Full Ingredient Disclosure and Concentrate Guide. Accessed January 2026.
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Cleaning Product Analysis. Accessed January 2026.
