Branch Basics Vs. Blueland: Which Cleaning System Is Better?

If you’re comparing Branch Basics and Blueland, both brands try to reduce the number of conventional cleaning bottles you bring into your home—but they do it in completely different ways.

Branch Basics revolves around one liquid Concentrate. You mix that Concentrate with different amounts of water to make All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and Laundry solutions.

Blueland uses task-specific dry tablets and powders. For its spray cleaners, you fill a reusable bottle with water, drop in the appropriate tablet, let it dissolve, and start cleaning.

That leads to the biggest difference:

Branch Basics = one fragrance-free formula used at different dilution ratios.

Blueland = separate formulas designed for different cleaning jobs.

Both systems reduce single-use packaging, both disclose ingredients, and both carry meaningful third-party certifications. But they differ considerably in fragrance, convenience, versatility, product range, and cost structure.

A Brief Comparison Table

Overview of Branch Basics

Branch Basics was founded in 2013 by Marilee Nelson, a mom who wanted to use safe, non-toxic products for her family. The Branch Basics line includes multi-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, laundry detergent, and other household cleaners.

Some key things to know about Branch Basics:

• All-natural ingredients: Branch Basics products contain only plant-derived ingredients like coconut oil, essential oils, sodium citrate, and sodium carbonate. No synthetic fragrances, dyes, or chemicals.
• Concentrated formulas: The cleaners come as super concentrated bases that you dilute with water in reusable glass bottles. This reduces plastic waste.
• Effective on grease and grime: While natural, the cleaners are powerful enough to cut through messes around the home. The Oxygen Boost Powder is especially effective for tough stains.
• Hypoallergenic: Free of common irritants and safe for sensitive skin.
• Cruelty-free and vegan: Branch Basics is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and contains no animal products.

Overview of Blueland

Blueland was launched in 2018 with a mission of reducing single-use plastics through reusable cleaning systems. Their line includes multi-surface spray, bathroom spray, glass + mirror spray, and hand soap.

Here’s an overview of Blueland:

• Tablet-based system: The cleaners come in tablet form which you dissolve in reusable bottles filled with water. The bottles are made from recycled plastic.
• Ultra-concentrated: The tablets are very concentrated, with 1 tablet making 16 oz of solution. This maximizes efficiency.
• Effective ingredients: Formulas contain cleaning agents like sodium citrate, sodium carbonate peroxide, and plant-based surfactants to cut grease and sanitize.
• Fragrance-free: Blueland products do not contain synthetic fragrances, essential oils, or dyes. They have little to no scent.
• Cruelty-free and vegan: Blueland is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and vegan.
• Lower price point: The starter sets and refill tablets are more budget-friendly than some natural brands.

Also Read: Differences Between Branch Basics And Mrs. Grove Cleaning Essentials.

Key Differences Between Branch Basics And Blueland

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s do a detailed comparison of how Branch Basics and Blueland stack up across different categories.

Ingredient Quality and Safety

One of the most important considerations when comparing natural cleaning brands is the quality and safety of the ingredients. Here is how Branch Basics and Blueland fare:

Branch Basics uses coconut-derived cleaning agents like sodium coco sulfate and coconut oil. These provide effective cleaning action while being gentle. Their formulas also rely on essential oils like lemon, bergamot, and lavender for natural fragrance.

While plant-derived, essential oils can cause skin irritation or reactions for some people. Overall, Branch Basics products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients, but the essential oils make them less suitable for sensitive skin.

Blueland takes a simper, fragrance-free approach to their formulas. They use ingredients like sodium carbonate, citric acid, and sodium citrate for cleaning power. These compounds are naturally-derived and gentle.

Importantly, Blueland products do NOT contain any essential oils, fragrances, or dyes. This makes them a better choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies. The only downside is some people miss the smell of traditional cleaners.

For people with allergies or chemical sensitivities, Blueland wins out with its fragrance-free and dye-free approach. Branch Basics also uses plant-based ingredients, but the addition of essential oils lowers its safety profile slightly.

Cleaning Effectiveness

Of course, natural ingredients are important, but cleaning products still need to work!

Here is how these brands stack up for cleaning power:

Branch Basics cleaning products excel at cutting through grease, dirt, grime, and tough stains.

Their Oxygen Boost Powder is a fan-favorite for tackling messes around the house.

The powder contains sodium percarbonate which releases oxygen to lift stains and whitens through oxidation.

Reviewers say it works wonders on countertops, appliances, tiles, and laundry stains.

Blueland cleaners effectively eliminate everyday dirt and grime, though they may require a bit more scrubbing on tougher messes. The cleaners use sodium citrate and sodium carbonate to lift grease and residue.

They lack the oxidizing ingredients that Branch Basics has for stain removal. Some reviewers say they occasionally use another cleaner for tougher jobs. But for routine cleaning, Blueland sprays work well.

For heavy duty stain removal, Branch Basics has a slight edge, while Blueland is perfectly suitable for light to moderate cleaning tasks.

Green Certifications

Both brands use plant-based formulas free of harsh chemicals. But examining green certifications can provide more insight into sustainability practices.

1. Branch Basics is a Certified B Corporation, recognizing high ethical and environmental standards. Their products are EWG Verified as non-toxic.
2. Blueland is also a Pending B-Corp. Their products are made in a solar-powered facility and certified cruelty-free/vegan.

So while both meet green standards, Branch Basics edges out with full B-Corp certification and third party EWG verification. But Blueland is transparent about ethical manufacturing and pursuing the same certifications.

Sustainability

Both brands aim to reduce plastic waste through their innovative packaging:

Branch Basics cleaners come as concentrates in glass bottles with compostable bamboo caps. You add your own water and reuse the bottles, reducing plastic. However, you do have to pay for shipping when re-ordering the heavy glass bottles.

Blueland’s tablet system lets you reuse the same plastic bottles forever. The tablets reduce plastic by eliminating packaging for water. Blueland bottles are made from recycled plastic. Tablet refills ship in 100% compostable packaging.

It’s hard to declare a clear winner for sustainability. Both brands are striving to reduce single-use plastics in clever ways. Branch Basics uses glass while Blueland reuses plastic. It depends on whether you prefer reusable glass or plastic.

Cost Comparison

When it comes to cost, here is how the brands shake out:

Branch Basics starter sets range from $25-$60 depending on the kit. The multi-surface cleaner concentrate is $14 for 16 oz.

Blueland starter sets are around $20-40. The multi-purpose cleaner tablets come out to $1-2 per 16 oz bottle depending on quantity.

Blueland products are generally cheaper thanks to the tablets and refill model requiring less packaging. Branch Basics requires buying new glass bottles each time.

However, the Branch Basics concentrates last longer with each 16 oz making many more bottles of solution. So the higher initial cost balances out over time.

Overall, Blueland wins for affordability up front, while Branch Basics costs even out with longer term use.

Ease of Use

In terms of convenience, here is how the brands compare:

Branch Basics takes a bit more effort since you need to dilute concentrates and fill/refill spray bottles. However, fans enjoy making custom scented cleaners by picking essential oil blends. The powders require measuring.

Blueland offers simplicity and convenience: just drop a tablet in water and go. No measuring or mixing required. However, you do need to plan ahead to have enough tablets on hand.

Blueland gets the edge for convenience, while Branch Basics offers personalization. It comes down to whether you value simplicity or customization more.

Packaging

Another major point of difference is the packaging. Both brands aim to reduce plastic waste, but do so in different ways.

Branch Basics ships its concentrated cleaners in glass bottles. The bottles are reusable and can be returned for refills. Otherwise, they are fully recyclable. Branch Basics recently introduced a new lightweight glass bottle to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping.

Blueland, on the other hand, takes a tablet-based approach. The cleaning tablets ship in recyclable, dissolvable paper packets. You then add them to reusable forever bottles, which are made from recycled plastic.

One starter set comes with forever bottles for key rooms. Or you can purchase the bottles individually. This means you’re generating zero plastic waste. The packets and bottles also take up less space under the sink than traditional cleaners.

Here’s a quick pro con breakdown on the packaging:

Branch Basics

• Pro: Glass is environmentally friendly and easy to recycle
• Con: Heavier to ship resulting in a larger carbon footprint

Blueland

• Pro: Tablets create zero plastic waste; lightweight forever bottles take up less space
• Con: Must purchase forever bottles separately if you don’t buy a starter set

So Branch Basics is more eco-friendly for shipping, while Blueland eliminates plastic waste. It comes down to your personal priorities.

Cleaning Power

But natural ingredients are only helpful if they actually get your home clean! Here is how the cleaning power of Branch Basics and Blueland compares:

Branch Basics leverages the simplicity of its 3-ingredient formula to thoroughly clean your whole home. The all-purpose cleaner tackles countertops, floors, bathrooms, windows, and more. Branch Basics says their concentrates outperform leading brands like Method and Mrs. Meyers.

The olive oil soap in the formula helps dissolve grease and lift dirt. Many customers praise the cleaning power on cooked-on messes.

Blueland takes a more tailored approach. They have specific cleaners designed for kitchens, bathrooms, glass, mirrors, laundry, etc. The formulations blend plants and minerals to target different types of dirt and stains. For example, the glass cleaner contains sugar to gently scrub windows.

Blueland’s cleaning tablets also fizz and foam when activated to penetrate and dissolve messes. Reviews tout Blueland’s ability to cut through grime in each room.

It’s hard to declare a definitive winner in cleaning power. But the takeaway is both brands effectively eliminate dirt with their plant-based formulas. Branch Basics relies on simplicity and versatility. Blueland’s tailored tablets take a targeted stance.

Product Range

When it comes to variety, Branch Basics wins out with a wider selection of cleaning products:

• Multi-surface spray
• Glass cleaner
• Stainless steel spray
• Bathroom spray
• Dusting spray
• Laundry powder
• Oxygen boost powder
• Dish soap
• Hand soap

Blueland focuses specifically on a core set of reusable cleaners:

• Multi-surface spray
• Glass spray
• Bathroom spray
• Hand soap

If you want more specialized cleaners like stainless steel spray or laundry powder, Branch Basics is the better choice. But Blueland covers the basics effectively.

Also Read: Is Truly Free Laundry Detergent Worth It?

How Branch Basics Works?

Branch Basics is unusual because it doesn’t require separate formulas for most everyday cleaning jobs.

Its current Concentrate contains:

• Water
• Decyl glucoside
• Coco-glucoside
• Chamomile flower extract
• Sodium citrate
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Sodium gluconate

There are no added fragrances or essential oils in the current Concentrate.

You change the cleaning strength by changing the dilution.

Branch Basics currently recommends approximately:

• All-Purpose: 1 part Concentrate to 11 parts water
• Bathroom: 1 part Concentrate to 5 parts water
• Streak-Free: 1 drop in 24 oz distilled water
• Foaming Wash: 1 part Concentrate to 4 parts water
• Laundry: 1 part Concentrate to 2 parts water

That is why I think of Branch Basics less as a collection of cleaning products and more as a cleaning system.

One bottle can replace several separate spray formulas.

How Blueland Works?

Blueland takes almost the opposite approach.

Instead of shipping liquid cleaner, it ships dry formulas that you add to water at home.

For the current Multi-Surface Cleaner, you:

1. Fill the Forever Bottle with 24 ounces of warm water.
2. Drop in one tablet.
3. Let it dissolve.
4. Attach the spray nozzle.
5. Clean normally.

But Blueland doesn’t use one universal tablet.

It has different formulas for different jobs, including:

• Multi-Surface Cleaner
• Bathroom Cleaner
• Glass + Mirror Cleaner
• Foaming Hand Soap
• Laundry Detergent Tablets
• Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
• Dish Soap Powder
• Oxi Laundry Booster
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets

Its current Clean Suite includes products across all of those categories.

This is a major change from your old article, which described Blueland as having only a small handful of cleaners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still trying to decide between Branch Basics and Blueland? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

The Verdict

Branch Basics and Blueland both make excellent natural cleaning products that are safe for your family and the environment. Branch Basics provides exceptional stain-fighting abilities and specialization, while Blueland wins for simplicity and affordability.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either brand over conventional cleaners. Pick the option that best fits your priorities and needs. And be sure to compare their dish and hand soaps too.

Ditching chemical cleaners for greener solutions is a decision you and the planet will never regret.

Happy cleaning!