Branch Basics Laundry Detergent

Important note on laundry detergents

Laundry detergent sits on fabric that touches your skin all day — towels, sheets, underwear, socks, and kids’ clothes. So I’m not just looking for “powerful.” I want a detergent that rinses clean and doesn’t rely on extra additives that can build up in fabric over time.

What I avoid in laundry detergents

In this category, I avoid undisclosed or toxic fragrance blends, optical brighteners, harsh surfactants like SLS/SLES, ethoxylated ingredients (such as PEGs or ingredients ending in “-eth”), quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and formaldehyde-releasing preservative systems. I also skip solvent-type additives and fillers that don’t contribute to actual cleaning and can leave fabrics feeling coated.

Product description

Branch Basics Laundry Detergent is a fragrance-free powder detergent made with a mix of mineral-based cleaners, plant-derived surfactants, and enzymes to help break down common stains. It’s designed to handle everyday laundry without relying on fragrance, brighteners, or the usual “cover-up” ingredients that can make laundry feel clean while leaving residue behind.

This is a solid option if you want a one-scoop detergent that’s still aligned with a low-tox laundry routine.

What I like

I like that it’s fragrance-free and built around mineral cleaning ingredients, which helps laundry come out clean without that lingering detergent smell.

The powder format makes it easy to control how much you use, which matters if you’re trying to avoid buildup.

The enzymes can be helpful for stains and odor-causing residue, especially in cooler washes.

Things to keep in mind

If you’re very sensitive to enzymes, this might not be your best match. Using good airflow when pouring and running an extra rinse can help for sensitive households.

Hard water can affect any powder detergent. Adjusting the amount used and rinsing well makes a difference.

Keep the bag sealed and dry to prevent clumping.