My word for 2019 is SIMPLIFY. And that’s just what I’m doing. Check out why I stopped making my own DIY cleaning products. And what I’m doing instead.
Welcome to CLEAN SWAPS, a series of posts I will be doing throughout the year to share some of the safer swaps I’ve made to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in our home. Today’s CLEAN SWAP is all about household cleaners.
For years, I have been making all of my own cleaning supplies. I’ve been using vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, castile soap, and even borax to make bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and multi-purpose cleaner. I’ve even experimented with making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent.
Just like with the food that I put into my body, I’m super careful with the products that I bring into my home. Over the years, I’ve switched all of my personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and makeup to brands that are in line with my values and are safe for human use. There is so little regulation with the chemicals that are allowed in commercial products that I’ve had to spend an enormous amount of time researching to find brands and companies that actually make the effort to create products that avoid harmful ingredients.
That brings us back to DIY cleaning products. It’s been challenging to find household cleaners that are made with truly safe ingredients. So I’ve had to make my own. Up until now.
Why I Stopped Making My Own DIY Cleaning Products
#1 Time. I make most of our food from scratch. I have a husband and 2 beautiful children who take up a lot of my time. I run a busy online blog. And I have lots of outside interests and hobbies that fill up my days. My goal for 2019 is to simplify. Rather than feel guilty about not being able to do it all, I’m embracing making better choices that free me up to live my life instead of continuing to get busier and busier.
#2 Vinegar stinks. My family hates the smell after I clean all of the windows and shower doors with vinegar. It lingers for quite a while. And while vinegar does do a pretty good job polishing windows and counter tops, it really isn’t the best at cleaning actual dirt.
#3 Borax is controversial. My most effective DIY multi-purpose cleaner contains borax, but it’s hard to say how safe this ingredient really is. There is lots of information out there to support either side of the story. I go back and forth with borax.
#4 Clutter. Honestly, I’m sick of having countless bottles of DIY cleaning supplies and ingredients under the sink. Again, simplicity is the idea here.
#5 I found a better way. After years of searching, I finally found a company that makes a cleaning product that fits all of my needs. It’s truly safe for humans. It’s free of harmful preservatives. It’s biodegradeable. It requires only ONE bottle of concentrate. AND it really works.
If you’ve been following me here on the blog, you know that I don’t promote companies that I don’t actually use myself. I’m super selective about what I share with you all, and I only share products that in line with my values of clean living and sustainability for the Earth. That’s why I’m excited to share with you all about Branch Basics, my new favorite non-toxic cleaning company.
Why I love Branch Basics
The answer to this question is so simple. Because Branch Basics is simple. It’s one multi-purpose concentrate that makes all of the cleaners you will need. Just dilute with water in the spray and foamer bottles they provide (complete with marked fill lines) and you’re all set to effectively tackle the kitchen counters, toilet seats, mirrors, carpet stains, and your laundry pile.
You can even wash your hands, hair, and face with this stuff. Imagine that: washing your toilet and removing your make up with the same stuff! It’s 100% safe, fragrance free, and works like a BOSS!
I also LOVE that Branch Basics was created by 3 female entrepreneurs who are passionate about educating people about clean, non-toxic living. I love supporting companies who are trying to make real change happen.
Honestly, when I first heard about Branch Basics, I thought it was too good to be true. But I decided to give it a shot. I’m so happy that I did.
I’m Sold!
Once I got my Branch Basics starter set, I got to cleaning. I cleaned the kitchen counters. I cleaned the bathroom sinks and toilets. I cleaned the windows in my living room that have endless little hand prints on them. I even cleaned the mystery brown spot on the backseat of my Subaru. Absolute magic. This stuff is LEGIT!
There are so so many uses for this stuff. While I mainly use it to clean my kitchen and bathrooms and as a streak-free glass cleaner, I’ve also been using it as a stain remover on my little one’s laundry and to clean my wood floors in the kitchen. You can use it to wash your laundry and as a dishwasher detergent. It really is ALL you need to clean the entire house. Check out the Branch Basics User Guide here for specific cleaning instructions.
BONUS!
While I’m crazy excited about my new 3 cleaning sprays that I’ve made from the concentrate, the thing I’m most excited about is the Branch Basics Oxygen Boost. It’s a laundry whitening and stain removing powder that has basically changed my life. We live in the country with a little muddy creek in the back yard that little one likes to play in. The amount of muddy clothing I have to wash is ridiculous (but yay for nature play!!)
I add a scoop of it to every load of laundry, and my whites are brighter, my kiddos clothes are cleaner, and my hubby’s hot yoga clothes are no longer stinky. Mixed with a bit of the all-purpose cleaner, it makes a kickass pretreatment for even the toughest stains.
How to Get Started
If you want to know more about Branch Basics, simply visit their site HERE.
The easiest way to get started is to order the Branch Basics Starter Kit OR the Branch Basics Starter Kit + Oxygen Boost. You’ll get everything you need to get cleaning right away.
You can also order a trial-size sample bottle of the concentrate that comes with a spray bottle. Or just the Oxygen Boost. Check out all of the products HERE.
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