Branch Basics Vs. Mrs. Meyer’s: Which Cleaning Brand Is Better?

If you’re comparing Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s, the biggest difference is not simply which cleaner removes grease better.

The two brands take very different approaches to household cleaning.

Branch Basics centers its system around one highly concentrated, completely fragrance-free cleaner that you dilute differently for countertops, bathrooms, glass, handwashing, and other jobs.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day focuses more heavily on ready-to-use and concentrated cleaners with distinctive garden-inspired fragrances such as Lavender, Basil, Lemon Verbena, Rain Water, and seasonal scents.

For me, Branch Basics makes more sense if you want fragrance-free formulas, a short ingredient list, refillable bottles, and one concentrate that replaces several cleaners.

Mrs. Meyer’s makes more sense if you enjoy scented cleaning products, want a lower upfront cost, and prefer cleaners that are readily available without building your cleaning routine around one concentrate.

A Brief Comparison Table

Overview of Branch Basics

Branch Basics takes a back-to-basics approach to cleaning with their all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, and other non-toxic household products. The California-based company uses only a handful of simple, plant-based ingredients to create effective green cleaners safe for families and the environment.

Branch Basics Product Lineup

• All-Purpose Cleaner: This non-toxic cleaner made with purified water, coconut-based surfactants, and essential orange oil can tackle grease, dirt, and grime all over the house. It’s safe for most surfaces including granite, stainless steel, wood, and tile.
• Stain Remover: Loosens and lifts stains on laundry and fabric using plant-based surfactants and sodium percarbonate, an eco-friendly bleach alternative. It’s chlorine-free and safe on colors.
• Dish Soap: Gets dishes squeaky clean with coconut-based sudsing agents, purified water, and lemon and lime extracts. Grease doesn’t stand a chance.
• Laundry Detergent: Uses biodegradable surfactants and sodium carbonate to whisk away stains and odors from clothes. It’s free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, optical brighteners, and fillers.
• Oxygen Whitener: An oxygen-boosted powder that can brighten and remove stains on laundry, tile, grout, shower curtains, and more without chlorine bleach.

Main Pros of Branch Basics

• Plant-based formulas use safe, biodegradable ingredients
• Tough on dirt and grime but gentle enough for most surfaces
• No harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, or preservatives
• Convenient concentrates to minimize waste
• Transparent company that lists all ingredients
• Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free

Overview of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day

Known for its playful packaging and fun scents, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day has brought green cleaning into the mainstream. The cruelty-free products are made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients inspired by garden flowers and herbs.

Mrs. Meyer’s Product Lineup

• All-Purpose Cleaner: Cuts through grease and grime with plant-derived surfactants. Available in fun scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Basil, Geranium, and more.
• Multi-Surface Cleaner: Use on finished wood, laminate, tile and more. Contains essential oils and benzyl alcohol from plants.
• Hand Soap: Gently cleans hands with essential oils, aloe verba leaf juice, and olive oil.
• Dish Soap: Powerful suds remove stuck-on food but is gentle enough for hand-washing dishes.
• Laundry Detergent: Biodegradable formula infused with essential oils and plant-derived cleaning agents to freshen clothes.
• Fabric Softener: Leaves clothes smooth and static-free with a light scent. Made with biodegradable softening agents.
• Cleaning Wipes: Pre-moistened wipes for quick cleanups on kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, and more when you’re short on time.

Main Pros of Mrs. Meyer’s

• Uses plant-derived ingredients and essential oils
• Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free
• Fun fragrances like lemon verbena, peony, and basil
• Range of products for all cleaning needs
• Available at many major retailers
• Biodegradable formulas recognized by the EPA’s Safer Choice program

Key Differences Between Branch Basics And Mrs. Meyer’s

Now that you have an overview of the top products from Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s, let’s compare some key factors to see how these two green cleaning brands stack up.

• Ingredient Safety and Transparency

When it comes to non-toxic cleaning, using safe, natural ingredients is paramount. Both Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s formulate their products without harsh chemicals, but Branch Basics focuses on ingredient transparency and using just a handful of components to get the job done.

Branch Basics displays all ingredients front and center on their packaging. Their all-purpose cleaner, for example, contains only water, sodium coco sulfate, caprylyl/myristyl glucoside, sodium citrate, and orange oil. You can understand every ingredient on the label without a chemistry degree.

Mrs. Meyer’s also uses plant-derived ingredients but doesn’t readily disclose the complete list. Instead, their labels list main ingredients like plant surfactants along with more generic terms like “essential oils” and “botanical extracts.” This makes it harder to know the specific components in each product.

If ingredient transparency is important to you, Branch Basics comes out on top. Their back-to-basics philosophy means you always know exactly what’s in their non-toxic cleaners.

• Types of Fragrances

Fragrance is another area where Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s differ. Scented cleaning products can contain synthetic fragrances derived from petroleum or plant-based essential oils.

Branch Basics products are either unscented or use only pure essential oils like orange and lemon for a light, natural aroma.

Mrs. Meyer’s, on the other hand, infuses their soaps, detergents, and cleaners with unique essential oil blends to create their signature scents. While the fragrances smell great, some people with sensitivities find them overpowering. The brand offers unscented options but they’re harder to find than their scented counterparts.

If you like light scents or need to avoid fragrance altogether, Branch Basics is your best bet. Mrs. Meyer’s fun fragrances appeal most to people who enjoy a more robust aromatherapy experience while cleaning.

• Sustainability and Packaging

Both brands earn green points for their planet-friendly packaging and business practices.

Branch Basics comes as concentrated liquids or powders. You dilute or activate them with water in your own reusable bottle to minimize waste. The brand also takes steps to offset its carbon emissions and uses recycled packaging materials when possible.

While less concentrated, Mrs. Meyer’s formulas are biodegradable and recognized by the EPA’s Safer Choice program. The packaging utilizes at least 30% post-consumer recycled plastic and the company partners with terracycle to recycle containers.

It’s a close call, but Branch Basics gets a slight edge for their ultra-concentrated products that allow for reuse over recycling. But both brands are ahead of the curve with eco-conscious packaging.

• Price and Availability

When it comes to affordability and accessibility, Mrs. Meyer’s pulls ahead. The brand’s products cost just slightly more than conventional cleaners but significantly less than many boutique green brands.

Branch Basics costs about twice as much ounce for ounce. But their concentrates stretch much further with dilution, helping offset the higher price point.

Mrs. Meyer’s wins for availability thanks to distribution through major retailers like Target and Walmart. Branch Basics primarily sells direct to consumer online, with some availability through specialty stores.

Ultimately Mrs. Meyer’s costs less and can be easier to find, especially for spontaneous purchases. But Branch Basics offers savings when buying concentrates in bulk for devoted green cleaners.

• Performance and Versatility

Of course, effectiveness is key – natural cleaners need to get the job done.

By and large, both Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s deep clean without toxic chemicals.

Branch Basics’ flagship all-purpose cleaner tackles grease, grime, and dirt on most surfaces.

Their oxygen whitener brightens tile, grout, laundry, and more.

While not the sudsiest, their concentrates pack a cleaning punch.

Mrs. Meyer’s offers a wider range of scents and products tailored to different cleaning tasks. Their dish soap, fabric softener, and specialty cleaners like tile scrub provide more versatility overall.

For versatility and specialization, Mrs. Meyer’s comes out ahead. But Branch Basics covers all the basics effectively with just a couple of plant-powered products.

Branch Basics Vs. Mrs. Meyer’s: Which Should You Choose?

I would choose Branch Basics if my priorities were:

• Fragrance-free cleaning
• Minimal ingredients
• Consolidating several cleaners
• Refillable bottles
• Avoiding added fragrance and conventional preservatives
• Using one system throughout the house

I would choose Mrs. Meyer’s if I cared more about:

• Garden-inspired scents
• Lower initial cost
• Ready-to-use convenience
• A broad product selection
• Easy access to different specialized cleaners
• Seasonal fragrance choices

The decision is less about which brand is universally “cleaner.”

It’s really about whether you prefer a minimalist fragrance-free cleaning system or a scent-focused conventional product range made with many plant-derived cleaning ingredients.

FAQ About Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s

Still trying to decide between Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either brand. Both Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s offer effective non-toxic cleaners made without harsh chemicals. Which one is best comes down to personal priorities around scent, price, ingredients, and product selection.

Give both a try to see which plant-powered cleaners pass your test in real life. With a little trial and error, you’ll find your new favorite green cleaning brand in no time.

Let us know if you have any other questions! Choosing green cleaners like Branch Basics and Mrs. Meyer’s is a great way to remove harmful chemicals from your home.