6 Favorite Phosphate Free Soaps | Branch Basics

Phosphates are common in many different types of soaps and detergents, where they are used as surfactants, stain removers, degreasers, emulsifiers, and water softeners.

The problem is synthetic phosphates cause real risks to humans, wildlife, and environmental health.[Sources 1, 2, 3, 4]

Health-, environment- and toxin-conscious people are generally aware of this, which is why you see so many phosphate-free laundry and dish detergents, for example.

However, given the ubiquitousness of phosphates in other types of soap, it’s best to go phosphate-free altogether.

Here, we share 6 of our favorite phosphate-free soaps for hand washing, laundry, dishes, skin and body care, and more.

1. Branch Basics Gel Hand Soap

Phosphates in hand soap? Yep, that’s a thing.

Unfortunately, many synthetic chemical-based hand soaps use phosphates as surfactants, foaming agents, and emulsifiers. 

Given how frequently most people wash their hands, this can add up to significant phosphate exposure for you, your family, and local aquatic systems.

Instead, we recommend a phosphate-free hand soap, like Branch Basics Gel Hand Soap.

This ultra-gentle, non-drying, naturally fragrance-free formula is designed with the gentlest, naturally derived, phosphate-free surfactants and nourishing plant-based ingredients to gently cleanse your hands  while preserving vital skin barrier function. This concentrated skin pH friendly formula can also be used as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, body wash, and shampoo!

It is very concentrated and a little goes a long way! 

What’s in the bottle? Learn more and dive into our ingredients in Breaking Down Our Healthy Gel Hand Soap Ingredients or purchase Branch Basics Gel hand soap Here.

2. Castile Soap 

100% pure castile soap is one of nature’s most effective and natural surfactants.

It’s also affordable, super versatile for cleaning your body and home, and widely available, making it a favorite of health- and toxin-conscious DIYers.

When shopping for castile soap, we recommend the following brands:

• Vermont Castile Soap
• Natural Way Organic Castile Soap
• St. Clare Castile Soap
• Carolina Castile Soap
• Cove Castile Soap
  

Bar soaps are excellent, low-waste options for face, body, and hair care, while the liquid castile soaps are more versatile and customizable for cleaning, DIY skin care, etc.

Learn more in: 5 best natural hand soaps.

3. Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets

Dishwasher detergents are a top source of phosphate pollution, which is why many states and countries have banned or regulated their use.

Instead, look for phosphate-free, biodegradable, plant- and mineral-based dish detergents, like Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets.

These plastic-free detergent tablets are free from all the harmful ingredients typically found in conventional dish detergents, including:

• Phosphates
• Fragrance
• Phthalates
• NPEs
• PEGs
• Antimicrobial agents
• Dyes
• Synthetic surfactants
• Bleach
• And many more

This matters because these ingredients pollute our waterways, degrade indoor air quality, and remain as residue on our dishes.

Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets contain powerful plant, mineral, and enzyme-based cleaners, are EWG-verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and super affordable at $0.38-$0.34 per load.

Related reading: Why Human-Safe Dishwashing Is Important

4. Aware Skin Wash Your Face

This is one of our favorite clean face wash brands because it contains no phosphates, fragrance, synthetic preservatives, synthetic surfactants, antibacterial chemicals, or sulfates.

It contains just clean and natural ingredients that remove dirt and excess oil without stripping or drying your skin.

Learn more about our favorite natural skincare essentials in: Our Favorite Non-Toxic Personal Care Products

5. Branch Basics Laundry Detergent 

Laundry detergents are well-known for containing phosphates and dozens of other harmful ingredients.

This is why we often refer to the laundry room as the most toxic room in the home! 

The harmful chemical soup in detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers, dryer sheets, bleach, etc., is quite shocking once you break it down. 

Plus, this stuff enters our bodies through multiple channels, including the air, our skin, and even what we ingest from what gets into our waterways.

If you want to start lowering your toxicity load, buying phosphate-free, human-safe, biodegradable, fragrance-free laundry products is an awesome place to start!

This is why we created our newest product, Branch Basics Laundry Detergent.

This waterless formula is ultra-concentrated, plant- and mineral-based, 100% biodegradable, and free from phosphates, sulfates, fragrance, dyes, optical brighteners, ammonia, chlorine, endocrine disruptors, and 1,4-dioxane.

Just one scoop cleans, brightens, freshens, and removes stains and works wonders in cold water.

Learn more about the ingredients and get yours here.

6. Branch Basics Foaming Wash For Hands, Face, Body, Baby, And More

Branch Basics Foaming Wash is made using Branch Basics Signature Concentrate plus water in our special Foaming Wash bottle.

It’s fantastic as a natural, foamy hand soap and is also beloved as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, body wash, produce wash, shampoo, baby wash, pet shampoo, and more.

Branch Basics Concentrate (the base of Foaming Wash) is designed to replace every cleaner, laundry product, and soap in your home. 

It’s made using only the safest, plant- and mineral-based, low-tox, phosphate-free ingredients like chamomile flower extract, decyl and coco glucoside, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Learn all about it in: How To Use Branch Basics Foaming Wash: Complete Guide

Phosphate FAQs

Now that you know your phosphate-free soap options, let’s answer some FAQs.

What Are Phosphates? 

Phosphates are a group of chemical compounds containing phosphorus, a naturally occurring element that is not harmful in its natural state.

It becomes problematic when used to create synthetic phosphate-based chemicals. This is why many countries and states have strict regulations or bans on phosphate use.

The most common phosphate chemical used in cleaning and laundry products is sodium tripolyphosphate or STPP, which is used in various detergents as a surfactant.

• Why Phosphate-Free Cleaning, Laundry, and Dishwashing Matters So Much

What Are Phosphates Used For? 

There are many misconceptions about phosphates. One of the biggest is that they are only used in detergents.

Sadly, this is not true.

Phosphates are also used as water softeners, in fertilizers, certain medications, and in food production to add sheen and sell weight to things like seafood and as a food additive in processed foods and beverages.

This is partly why we are so concerned about the potential impacts of phosphates on human health: people are ingesting a lot more than they are aware of.

Why Are Phosphates Harmful? 

We know phosphates are harmful based on toxicology studies and the fact that many countries have banned their use.

In addition, several states within the United States have regulations on the use of high-phosphate dish detergents.

Yet, hardly anyone talks about their documented harm to humans, which may include negative impacts on:[Sources 1, 2, 3, 4]

• Kidney function
• Bone function
• Cardiovascular function
• Cell function
• Endocrine function
• Thyroid function
• Phosphate toxicity has also been associated with premature aging

Phosphate exposure has also been linked to:

• Skin irritation
• Respiratory irritation
• Asthma

The environmental implications of phosphate pollution are vast because they starve aquatic environments of oxygen, creating algal blooms that kill and/or sicken fish, shellfish, and all aquatic life.

This has downstream effects on land-dwelling creatures, such as eagles, bears, otters, etc., who rely on fish, seafood, and other aquatic life to survive. 

Humans can also be harmed physically and economically by toxic algal blooms, especially in coastal communities.

In addition, water treatment plants are largely ineffective at removing phosphates from drinking water, so tap water can also be a source.

Toss The Toxins With Branch Basics

Going phosphate-free doesn’t have to disrupt your lifestyle or your cleaning and hygiene standards.

With what you’ve learned today, you have all the information, tools, and inspiration you need to toss the phosphate toxins and make healthier choices for yourself, your family, and our planet.

If you’d like to get started with Branch Basics, check out our refillable Starter Kits, in plastic or glass, which contain everything you need to replace every single synthetic cleaning, laundry, and soap products in your home with one phosphate-free Concentrate plus optional Oxygen Boost, a mineral-based laundry booster, stain remover, and bleach alternative.

Learn how our human-safe, cruelty-free, Made-Safe Certified system works in: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit 

For more information on phosphates, check out the following articles:

•  Why Phosphate-Free Cleaning, Laundry, and Dishwashing Matters So Much
• The Best Phosphate-Free Dishwasher Detergents: 4 Options