We get so many questions about which “green” mattresses are truly non-toxic and wanted to share what we (the founders + our team) use in our own homes, and why choosing a safer mattress is so important. Given that we spend at least one-third of our lives in bed, your mattress is probably the most […]
Even though we’ll spend at least one-third of our lives in bed, few of us think much about the safety and purity of our bedding. And while news has gotten out about the deplorable amount of harmful chemicals allowed in mattresses, there’s still not much awareness about toxins hidden in bed linens. You read right; […]
Air Quality and Cognition Studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26502459 https://green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/research-highlight/impact-green-buildings-cognitive-function https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/indoor-air-quality-cognitive-abilities/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/19L1iKkF_NeAuplqtUOQ36v_qmMia1mSwfld17uaJlas/edit?ts=5d41ff93 https://www.tradelineinc.com/reports/2016-10/improved-workplace-ventilation-shown-studies-double-cognitive-function-scores https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/27/air-pollution-causes-huge-reduction-in-intelligence-study-reveals https://www.calhealthreport.org/2018/01/31/teen-exposure-air-pollution-reduce-iq-levels-long-term/ CLEANING SUPPLIES and Children’s health: https://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/11/be-smart-about-school-cleaning-supplies/ https://documentinghope.com/epidemic-inflammatory-conditions-children/ https://static.ewg.org/reports/2009/school_cleaners/EWG-School-Cleaning-Supplies.pdf https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-trouble-with-disinfec_b_8150200 https://www.uib.no/en/news/115228/household-cleaning-can-be-bad-smoking-lung-function https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129101920.htm https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health Resources for Making The Switch: 2 Things Parents Can Do To Dramatically Improve School Air Quality How to Naturally Disinfect Surfaces Home Cleanse Guide: How to Detox Your Home
If you aim to eat a diet rich in nutrient-dense whole foods, then you probably take extra steps to avoid ingredients like food dyes, MSG, artificial flavors and preservatives. However, the term “natural flavor” found on a wide variety of organic, gluten-free, and all-natural packaged foods, typically doesn’t sound the alarm for most health-conscious consumers. […]
Is your first go-to when you get a headache taking Aleve, Advil, or some other pain medication? Did you know that a headache is our body’s way of telling us something is not right? A headache is not a medication deficiency. Taking a pill will only address the symptoms not the cause. Usually there is […]
For the past two decades, doctors have been telling us to lather up with sunscreen to protect our skin and prevent skin cancer. In the past five years, however, studies are showing that we may need to forgo the sunscreen so we can get enough Vitamin D. Confused about what to do? Read on to […]
Swimming is one of the great pleasures of summer, especially if you’re a kid and/or live in a hot and humid climate. However, the chlorine used to treat most public and private swimming pools is a harmful chemical. This leaves us in a bit of a quandary: do you risk it for the sake of […]
We have many people come to us for advice on how to choose the best products for a healthy home and body. This includes cleaning products, natural foods, baby products, personal care products, gardening products, water filters, air purifiers, building materials, etc. And we love to arm readers with the information they need to make […]
For most of us, toilet paper is as common in our daily lives as breathing. We can’t imagine life without it! With unlimited options in thickness, plushness, patterns, colors and even fragrance–conventional toilet paper is full of toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to our health. According to Google, “Americans use about 50 lbs annually […]
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re not big on “sanitizer” or “disinfectant” cleaning products. We consider these words red flags on labels as they typically indicate the product contains an EPA-registered pesticide, which is designed to kill, and has been shown to encourage the proliferation of superbugs. Given this new […]
Now that you have a great quality wooden or bamboo cutting board (see our previous article here), we want to teach you how to clean, sanitize, and care for your new cutting board. Keep in mind, wood and bamboo cutting boards do require a bit more maintenance and hand-washing than plastic, but when properly cared […]
If you clicked to read the article, bravo! because the topic of whether to use a microwave oven is a highly controversial and loaded one. On the one hand, nearly every home in America (90% according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]has one.) They’re super convenient, we’re told they’re safe, and […]
Nearly everyone has experienced the plight of mold and mildew build-up on tile grout. It’s particularly common in showers and tubs where the combination of soap scum and moist warm air create the perfect breeding ground. And nearly everyone follows the “standard procedure” for removal: spray the area with a harsh bleach-based solution, wait several […]
While many health experts focus on the importance of nutrition or exercise, we tend to get passionate about some of the more under appreciated aspects of well-being…like clean air. You may have heard that the average person spends about 90% of their time indoors, and the problem with this—apart from a lack of natural sunlight, […]
Spring is finally upon us (or very close at hand for those of you up North—hang in there!). With the warmer weather, cheerful blossoms, and chirping birds comes a natural surge in energy and motivation to clear out the old and welcome the new. This is true for our homes, minds, and bodies. For example, […]
Front loading washers have experienced a surge in popularity in North America over the last ten years. They use less detergent, take up less space due to stackability, and are more efficient (cut energy consumption by 25% and water consumption by 33%) than their top-loading cousins. But, they do have a big disadvantage over top […]
Few things are more fundamental to creating a healthy home and body than pure, toxin-free water. Unfortunately, despite federal regulations contained within “The Clean Water Act”, there is no such thing as pure contaminant-free water anymore. Yes, in the United States we are fortunate to have measures in place to prevent deadly water borne illnesses common in […]
Home is where you’re supposed to feel the most safe. However, when your living spaces are filled with pollutants, you can find threats in every nook and cranny. As part of our Home Cleanse series, we’re going over step-by-step how to detox your home and turn it into your safest space. WHY THE HOME ENVIRONMENT […]
At Branch Basics, safety was always our number one priority when it came to the creation of our formula. We are passionate about leading the cleaning industry to a higher standard by empowering consumers with transparency and an open door policy when it comes to information on the safety of the products they use in […]
We spend about one-third of our lives in bed! So needless to say, sleep is important. In fact, it is much more important than we probably realize. The quality and duration of our sleep schedules affect how we live out the other two-thirds of our day. Quality of sleep translates to quality of life. And […]
For some people, even the title of this post incites a little bit of angst. Some healthy changes are easier than others, but sugar seems to be one of those things that everyone can agree on– it’s hard to resist. For starters, refined sugar is in most processed foods making it difficult to avoid when […]