What Does Branch Basics Smell Like? 5 Fragrance Free Benefits

By Marilee Nelson |

What Does Branch Basics Smell Like? 5 Fragrance Free Benefits

Curious about what Branch Basics smells like?

As health and toxin-conscious consumers, we want to always read the fine print on labels before introducing a new product into our homes.

Branch Basics is naturally fragrance-free—not artificially fragrance-free, which is an important distinction.

The only scent you’ll detect from our signature Concentrate is a mild natural smell from Organic Chamomile extract.

Read on to learn more about what goes into Branch Basics products and why we’ve chosen to be naturally fragrance-free.

What is Branch Basics?  

Branch Basics is a non-toxic cleaning system designed to replace every cleaner, laundry product, and even some personal care products in your home.

Our co-founders, Marilee, Allison, and Kelly, all transformed their health through the power of a real food diet and a home free of products with harmful ingredients. Branch Basics is their passion project to help others experience the same.

Branch Basics was designed with simplicity in mind. Our flagship products include:

  • Oxygen Boost: A mineral-based laundry booster, multi-purpose stain remover, and non-scratch scouring agent.
  • Dishwasher Tablets: These plant, mineral, and enzyme-based plastic-free, non-toxic dishwasher tablets power through dirty dishes without causing harm to humans, dishwashers, or the environment.

We also offer accessories such as Wool Dryer Balls, Natural Scrub Brush, Travel Kits and sizes, and refillable glass and plastic bottles.

What is Branch Basics Made Out Of? 

This is our favorite question because we believe in transparency in labeling and marketing.

Unfortunately, most cleaning companies do not disclose all their ingredients because the law does not require it. 

We believe you have the right to know precisely what is in the products you use in your home, not just the primary or active ingredients.

Plus, we put a lot of effort into creating our non-toxic Concentrate, Oxygen Boost, and Dishwasher Tablets, and we love to share what goes into them.

Without further ado…

Here’s an overview of what’s in Branch Basics products

What’s in Branch Basics Concentrate?

Below is a list of our ingredients—all rated “1 or 2” by EWG Skin Deep - in the order of their occurrence. 

  • Purified Water: Reverse osmosis purified.
  • Decyl Glucoside: A naturally derived surfactant cleanser derived from coconut and/or corn. It is often used in skincare products, baby products, and fruit and veggie sprays, as it will not harm the delicate skin on berries.
  • Chamomile Flower Extract: An organic flower extract with Allergen (IFRA) Certifications, which certifies it is nonallergenic and is not a fragrance. Its anti-irritant, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties to its nourishing and skin-soothing characteristics make it a star ingredient!
  • Coco Glucoside: A naturally derived surfactant derived from coconut, coco glucoside is one of the most gentle cleansing agents available and is a natural alternative to the harsher cocamidopropyl betaine and sulfates. Its chemical nature and production process result in a surfactant free of impurities like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, making it suitable for baby and pet products.
  • Sodium Citrate: A plant-derived, biodegradable sodium salt that acts as a water softener. It’s also used as an acidity regulator in food and drinks (think club soda!) and as an emulsifier (it enables cheeses to melt without becoming greasy).
  • Sodium Bicarbonate: A mineral-based water softener, also known as baking soda!
  • Sodium Phytate: A natural chelator, phytic acid is found in plant seeds and is often used commercially as a preservative due to its antioxidant properties.

Branch Basics Concentrate is also:

Learn more about Branch Basics Concentrate in: Journey to Our New Formula.

What’s In Branch Basics Oxygen Boost?

If you’re looking for a non-toxic laundry booster and cleaning product with the power of oxygen, meet your new best friend.

This non-toxic best-seller contains only:

  • Sodium Bicarbonate: A mineral-based water softener, deodorizer, and natural bleach alternative, also known as baking soda. Rated “1” on EWG’s Skin Deep Database. 

Oxygen Boost is also:

Wondering how a product with oxygen bleach can be rated so low on the toxicity scale and so high on the environmentally-friendly scale?

Learn more about Oxygen Boost in: The Cleaning Power of Branch Basics Concentrate and Oxygen Boost.

What’s In Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets?

Dishwasher Tablets are the newest addition to the line. Here’s what’s in this powerful new and improved formula:

  • Sodium Carbonate: Mineral-based water softener
  • Sodium Bicarbonate: Mineral-based brightener and deodorizer - lifts stains
  • Methylglycinediacetic Acid (aka MGDA), Trisodium Salt: Plant-based cleanser and water softener
  • Sodium Citrate: Simple sodium salt of citric acid
  • Sodium Silicate: Mineral-based cleanser
  • Poly(itaconic acid-co-AMPS) Sodium Salt: Gentle and stabilizing dissolvable salt
  • Citric Acid: Plant-based rinse aid, descaler, water softener and disinfectant (due to pH)
  • TAED: Cleanser and stain remover booster
  • Protease: Enzyme cleanser
  • Amylase: Enzyme cleanser
  • Magnesium Stearate: Plant-based binder (safe in dishwasher tablets, but not recommended for consumption in supplements)
    • Note: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain magnesium stearate without the company providing adequate substantiation due to issues surrounding ingestion. Our Dishwasher Tablets are EWG Verified based on their intended use. 
  • Decyl Glucoside: Plant-based cleanser from coconut and/or corn

Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets are also:

Learn more about Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets in: Our New And Improved Dishwasher Tablets.

Learn more about what makes all Branch Basics products human-safe and sustainable in: How is Branch Basics Sustainable?

Benefits of Naturally Fragrance Free Cleaning Products

Did you know the single word "fragrance" on an ingredient list can mean hundreds of proprietary chemicals have been used to create that scent?

Some of which, including phthalates (endocrine-disruptors) and styrene (a human carcinogen), are incredibly toxic and dramatically degrade indoor air quality.

Plus, up to 95% of synthetic fragrance ingredients are derived from petroleum, making them less than environmentally friendly. 

Going fragrance-free is an essential step in creating a healthier home. However, switching to fragrance-free versions of synthetic products isn’t the answer either.

Unfortunately, deceptive marketing tactics within the cleaning and laundry industry run deep. And these companies did not want to lose customers when word got out about the health perils of fragrance.

So, they came up with fragrance-free or unscented versions of their products. The problem is that most fragrance-free products require the addition of fragrance-masking chemicals—either to mask the smell of the added fragrance and/or to mask the smell of the chemicals used to make the products —many of which may cause the same harms as the fragrances they’re masking.

Fortunately, this deception is easy to avoid. Look for naturally fragrance-free products instead of buying fragrance-free versions made with synthetic chemicals.

Related Reading: Is Branch Basics Worth It? 

Naturally Fragrance-Free Is Safe For Your Health

In addition to the health concerns listed above, many chemicals used in synthetic fragrances, parfum, and signature scents are:

Plus, fragrance exposure has been linked to:

  • Contact dermatitis
  • Headaches
  • Respiratory issues
  • Worsening asthma
  • Digestive health issues
  • Neurological problems
  • Health problems among autistic adults
  • And more

I cannot tell you how many adults and children have had their mysterious symptoms magically disappear from simply removing all fragrance from the home. 

It’s that powerful.

Safe for People With Sensitivities & Allergies

Since fragrance is an asthmagen and considered one of the world’s top allergens, naturally fragrance-free products are much safer for anyone with allergies, sensitivities, or respiratory ailments.

This is especially important for babies, young children, pets, and the immune-compromised, who are more susceptible to the effects of these powerful fragrance chemicals.

Safe for Your Home 

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality at home is to eliminate synthetic fragranced products.

If this sounds too simple or cumbersome, consider what you’ve just learned. One fragranced product can contain hundreds of chemicals nested within that “fragrance” label.

Therefore, if you banish just one fragrance product, you’re eliminating hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals from your home.

There is much more to say about this topic, which we discuss in detail in: 

Ingredients to Avoid in Fragranced Cleaning Products 

Of this writing, there are over 3000 chemicals approved for use in various fragrances.

Obviously, we cannot list them all here. But some examples of ingredients of concern are:

  • Phthalates: Potent endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to various chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, hormonal-driven diseases, reproductive issues, metabolic syndrome, and more.
  • Styrene: A known human carcinogen.
  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds): Aromatic compounds found in nature and released from various products can cause headaches, sick building syndrome, liver and kidney damage, cancer, irritation, and more.
    • Examples of VOCs used in fragrance include: acetone, butane derivatives, disulfides, ethanols, and isopropyl alcohol.
  • Formaldehyde: A known human carcinogen that may be added as-is or as a byproduct of other ingredients.
  • Benzene derivatives: Exposure is linked to various health problems, including pulmonary toxicity, cardiac events, central nervous system toxicity, liver failure, kidney failure, blood disorders, and more. 
  • Acetaldehyde: A carcinogen that can also cause liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal damage.

This list is just a small example of some of the chemicals of concern in fragrance.

Since companies are not required to list their fragrance recipes on labels, buying naturally fragrance-free products is the best way to avoid these.

Removing Synthetic Fragrances From Your Home 

Obviously, eliminating synthetic fragrance from your home comes with a laundry list of health benefits.

The best way to get started is by identifying and replacing the fragrance sources with naturally fragrance-free, non-toxic products.

Here are some places that fragrances frequent in the typical North American home:

This should give you plenty to get started with.

For more tips, see: How To Remove Synthetic Fragrance From Your Home.

And for a step-by-step full home detox tutorial, see our Toss The Toxins Online Course.

Toss the Toxins With Branch Basics 

This article may have been a long answer to the original question, “What does Branch Basics smell like?”. 

However, we hope this information has empowered you to dig deeper into the whys and hows behind going naturally fragrance-free to create a healthier home and body.

Like what you’ve learned so far? If so, we’d love to be a part of your journey to create a healthier home.

To learn more about Branch Basics' naturally fragrance-free cleaning and laundry products, check out our Starter Kits, available in refillable plastic or glass.

Want to test us out first? Our $5.00 Trial Kit with a mini Concentrate and spray bottle is the perfect way to start.

For more non-toxic cleaning and lifestyle tips, check out our blog, podcast, and Toss The Toxins Online Course.
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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.

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