Does Branch Basics Kill Germs?

By Marilee Nelson |

Does Branch Basics Kill Germs?

Creating a healthy home starts with safe cleaning. With all of the products, buzzwords and claims out there it can be hard to know where to start, especially now when harsh chemicals seem like the only answer. We hope this article sheds light on how you can use Branch Basics to remove germs and keep your household healthy.

Soap and Water vs. Sanitizer/Disinfectant

First a little science! There are two main categories of cleaning products: soap and water and sanitizers/disinfectants. These two product categories handle germs (eg. coronavirus, influenza, etc.) in different ways. Soap and water like Branch Basics REMOVES germs. Sanitizers/disinfectants KILL germs while leaving them in place. As you can imagine, removing germs with soap and water is the best option. We don’t recommend the use of sanitizers/disinfectants under normal circumstances because they can:

  • Contain toxic chemicals
  • Kill good bacteria1
  • Create resistant superbugs (when some germs don’t die)

With that said, here’s how to stay healthy using Branch Basics.

Hand Washing

You’ve heard it from doctors, on the news and more than likely from your mom: “wash your hands!” It is well documented that washing your hands with soap and water like Branch Basics Foaming Wash for at least 20 seconds is the best way to remove germs.2 In the case of viruses, including coronavirus, soap dissolves the fatty membrane that holds the virus together. As the virus falls apart, it is rendered harmless and can easily be washed off under running water.3

If soap and water are not readily available and your only option is hand sanitizer, we recommend reaching for a non-toxic one that contains at least 60% alcohol. Here are three safer options:

Cleaning Surfaces

Routine house cleaning with Branch Basics is sufficient for removing germs and maintaining a healthy home. We recommend spraying your surfaces with All-Purpose Spray or Bathroom Spray and wiping them clean with a microfiber cloth. For frequently used surfaces you can add a teaspoon of The Concentrate to a bowl of warm water, and use a microfiber cloth to scrub the surfaces clean.4 If someone in your home is sick or vulnerable, you can disinfect frequently touched surfaces with the CDC’s two-step disinfecting procedure:

  1. Clean: Spray surfaces with All-Purpose Spray or Bathroom Spray. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. This is an important step as dirt and grease interfere with the germ-killing abilities of sanitizers/disinfectants.
  2. Disinfect: Spray surfaces with a disinfectant. Make sure to account for dwell time by letting it dry on the surface. As mentioned above, disinfectants can be harmful to your health so here are some safer options:
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: Straight 3% hydrogen peroxide5
  • Alcohol: Solution with at least 70% alcohol (eg. 140 proof vodka)
  • Dry Steam Cleaners: High heat steam cleaners are an EPA-approved, chemical-free option for disinfecting surfaces. The jet stream of vapor kills viruses, bacteria, dust mites, mold and mildew in 2-7 seconds.
To test out non-toxic cleaning products without a big commitment, try the Branch Basics Trial Kit for an inexpensive, smaller multipurpose cleaner.

    Whether you’re washing your hands or cleaning your surfaces, our advice remains the same: clean first! If you have any questions about using Branch Basics in your home, please reach out to us at info@branchbasics.com or comment below.

    Clean the Non-Toxic Way: Branch Basics keeps your household clean without the unnecessary toxins contained in conventional cleaning products. Check out our tips for to toss the toxins in your cleaning routine:

    References:
    1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/could-household-disinfectants-be-making-our-children-fat-2018100314949
    2. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
    3. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/health/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html
    4. https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/04/17/dr-sanjay-gupta-demo-how-to-clean-with-soap-and-water-coronavirus-town-hall-vpx.cnn
    5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/203115
    Marilee Nelson

    Marilee Nelson

    Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.