It will also help clean out the build-up/residue from other detergents that are on your machine and in your clothes.
It is a good product with just a good clean smell.

I have noticed..it is just wonderful! I have tried it on other things just experimenting and it is great for cleaning jewlery. Got some rust stains off my counter I couldn't get off and a really nasty grease stain off my stove. I am gonna go back and get the all purpose cleaner too and a bigger container of the laundry detergent...I am hooked! And trust me I usually don't brag about detergents to me they were all a waste lmao

Where do I buy this miracle soap?

Go to Charliesoap.com and check it out.

I bought the small one for $13 and change and it does 80 loads of laundry if your not experimenting lol. I just love it and my kids who are usually not big on laundry detergent says it is wonderful. My youngest loves when I give her laundry she says it smells clean not like a strong perfume. I know it seems like I am bragging about it alot...boy they should pay me for the plugs...haha but I have "NEVER" come across something that works so great!

I just ordered a bag myself. Should be coming next week! Hope it helps kill the beginnings of the musty smell in my fl. Hey cyn123, I guess it must be good coz you sure seem excited about it lol

I'm another one that loves Charlie's Soap. I've been using it for the last four months or so, and I can't imagine going back to using Tide ever again.

I tried it a couple years ago, and I gotta say, it was nothing special. I don't understand the hoopla about this stuff.

feetr2c I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I just can't believe how stupid it seems to be bragging about a laundry detergent so much but finding something that works as well as it does for my family was great. My hubby is a locksmith and the tide only covered up the metal smell in his clothes...this gets rid of it completely. So yeah I am a bit excited about it. I get to order my bigger one next week and I can't wait. I used some yesterday to clean my floors with and was very pleased that there was no residue there either. LOL I am really all about wanting to experiment with it on everything.

graywings I am sorry to hear you didn't have as pleasent of an experience with it. I just love that everything looks clean, feels clean and smells clean. I can't stand the overly perfume smell of laundry detergents. When we used the free and clear or free of perfumes of any other brand I would have to wash hubby's clothes 3 times to get the metal smell out of them. For me that alone is hoopla worthy ha ha. But everyone does have different tastes in different things and I am sure you have found a detergent that makes you happy too. :)

Well I think I am done bragging for now...ha ha

laters guys

Based on all the rave reviews here, today I took the plunge. I bought it using their wonderful customer service phone number. What nice people!

compumom I really hope you enjoy your charlies soap as much as I have. I find myself digging thru my kids clothes just to find dirty stuff to wash...ha ha I know that sounds bad but I am addicted to it now...:)

Thanks for the kind words. If anyone decides they want to take the plunge, feel free to call me and ask any questions you'd like.

See? NOT a commercial.

what would be better? powder or liquid? Or are there pros and cons for each?

Last night it got out two really bad spots on a favorite t-shirt. The cleaning lady had "pre-treated" them two weeks ago using some Dawn to cut the grease marks after another pre-treat didn't work. For the first time, Dawn left two spots bigger than the original spot! It had thoroughly dried and I gave it a go last night with the liquid Charlie's. I rubbed a bit into each spot, threw it in the machine with another garment and washed it on warm. One hour later..NO SPOTS!!
I received a few sample packs of the powder, so next time I have enough to wash, I'll give it a try and report back.

Meanwhile, I looked at the market and at Target for other HE, unscented and uncolored detergents. I didn't want Tide and other than that, each place had one other brand only. Target had Method and the market had 7th Generation. What's up with that? I was going to give Charlie's a bit of competition, but I don't think I'll bother with it!
They were fast shippers, no shipping charges and no tax!

Around here, I buy my Charlie's at Whole Foods. If you have a Whole Foods in your area, you might call them and see if they stock it. Wild Oats might as well... (Soon to be one and the same!)

It's one of those word or mouth products. Those that like it tell everyone and their mother about this product and those that didn't care for it just stop using it.

Read all of the customers raves on its site. Would love to hear feedback from people using it? Is it really good at removing stains...including old stains? How about odors? Do your clothes get softer the more you wash them in it? Is it safe for FLs? Does it really remove mildew? Which is better powder or liquid?

The stuff is definitely great.
No smell, no suds, just clean, clean clothes.

Hi! I just recently stumbled upon this forum and have been lurking about for the last week while waiting for my new Samsung Silvercare washer. It's interesting to read everyone's thoughts on things like this. I'd never even heard of Charlie's Soap before.

I have been using CS exclusively for over 3 years and LOVE it! We previously were using a Danby FL which has a relatively small drum capacity. I normally used 1/2 to 1 scoop of the CS powder. Our new LG Tromms were installed yesterday and are HUGE in comparison. How much CS powder should I be using in a relatively full load in my new machine?

Thanks!

Still use the 1 scoop. I was told by a member from CS that you use the same amount whether you are washing in 5 gal. of water or 25 gal. of water-meaning amount is same in front load or even top load so I would think even though your new LG is huge to what you had I would still use the same. E Mail them at CS and I am sure they will tell you the same-it is what he told me.

Reason I was asking was I have a f/l and use the CS and I was telling my SIL about it and gave her some to try. Since she has a T/L that fills full of water she was wondering if she should use more so I asked them at CS and that is what they told me.

I have to agree with Graywings, I bought a small bag of Charlies powdered soap, and I don't see what all the hoopla is about either. I washed a pair of jeans that I wore in the garden, (they were very dirty with the red colored dirt that you find in the California foothills) and the dirt was still there when I took them out of the washer. I immediately put them back into the washer and washed them again using liquid ALL Stainlifter. The dirt was gone! Maybe it was the fact that I washed them twice, that the ALL worked so well, I don't know. I have also washed t-shirts, sheets, and towels with Charlies soap, and I don't think that it cleans any better than any other soap. I was really disappointed with it, after reading how great it was suppose to be. I have a Maytag Neptune front loading washer that's 5 years old.

wow! I never heard of Charlies! I just took a peek at the web site and I am going to order it today. Those of you who use it..do you like the powder or liquid? Has any of you tried the all purpose cleaner? I want to give that a try as well. I am a natural cleaner for years now, and a few months back, started with natural laundry (both my kids have allergies along with being very sensitive to perfumes )..started by buying the LaundryPure (long Story, you can read my post on here under EcoQuest LaundryPure) sent it back..started using Seventh Generaion natural laundry detergent free and clear, but I found I had to add Borax as well...I am eager to try Charlies Soap! Thanks so much for sharing! Ree

up date from a few hours ago..lol! I ordered a bag along with the all purpose cleaner! It will ship tomorrow..I can't wait to do laundry now..(imagine? lol) Thanks for passing this on cyn 123..
Ree
PS, CS was very nice and helpful..a pleasure!

reeree natural

I bought a BIG jug of the liquid Charlie's Soap all purpose cleaner. My daughter is asthmatic so I try not to use really strong chemicals. It cleans our whole bathroom and kitchen beautifully.

In Canada it is rather hard to buy the powdered Charlie's Laundry Soap. It costs something like 21.99 for 80 washes plus 6.95 to ship it. I find that pretty expensive for laundry soap.
Recently at our Costco I bought a lovely liquid detergent called ECOS - it is 100% natural and so far it is doing a good job at cleaning. It was only 15.69 for 105 washes.

Best of luck cleaning!!!

LuLu..thanks for sharing about the all purpose cleaner. I bought one bottle to try it first. Both my children have allergies and our son has mild asthma, so I do not use anything thats not "green" and perfume free. I paid $11.00 for the bag of Charlies laundry soap,(80 loads) and 10.00 for the cleaner. Their web site had a special for first time buyers, plus free shipping. I heard of Eco..I wonder if our costco has it also? I'll have to check. Does the all purpose cleaner have a scent to it? Thanks!!
Ree

Ree ~

I use the Charlie's Soap powder detergent and the all-purpose cleaner. I have never noticed any fragrance with either of them. I have a couple of kids that have sensitive skin and another one that is sensitive to fragrance. No problem in either case.

Robyn
Who really like's their products.

Thanks for sharing Robyn! Can't wait to get them!
Ree

If this gets doubled, I apologize. Anyway, feel free to call us if with ANY questions.

Charlie soap (taylor)
thank you! I am really excited to try it, after all the great reviews, I am sure I will be hooked! Your company is very pleasant to deal with, it was a pleasure!
Ree

My Charlies Soap arrived yesterday along with the all purpose cleaner. Of course I did laundry right away. The Charlies soap worked well..clothes smelled very clean and fresh. "But" a chocolate stain from ice cream did not come out of my daughters white top. I did use the pre treater in full strength and let soak in for a half hour or so before running through the wash cycle. It was a "fresh" stain, so I was surprised it didn't come out. I did try the all purpose cleaner full strenght on my stove that has a non removable, one piece pan under the burners..it cleaned it very well. I do like it, but I also ordered a few Shaklee products..I will compare which works better for me. until then.......
Ree

ok..love the way the clothes smell..very clean..
once again, I pre treated the chocolate ice cream spot, let it sit, then put it through the wash for the second time..it's still there!!! :(
Ree

reeree,

let us know which one you like better the Charlies soap or the shaklee product. And any pro/con details would be great. Some of the posting on both products sound a little like hype. You seem unbias. I also plan to buy the sears HE stain fighting det. it sounds real good too.

sal

I bought the sears HE stain fighting det. the 275 loads for 20 dollars on sale and I love it...Good price too.

Hi Sal & Linkay!
Is the sears HE stain fighting detergent natural? The price is great, but I only use natural products ... let me know! (Linkays..you know how I am just from the mop forums..lol) Thanks guys! Ree

Hi sal836
Well..I received the Shaklee products! I happen to like them very much! The laundry detergent worked wonderful with the nature bright on whites..they smelled very clean and the whites were white.. remember that chocolate stain on my daughters white shirt? Well ..it's out! I pre treated and it went directly into the wash..it was totally gone. Don't get me wrong, I really like Charlies Soap very much as well, the clothes smelled clean and fresh with out a doubt..I just feel when it came to something with visible dirt on it, it didn't come out. Others on here wrote they did get the dirt or stains out with pre treating..it didn't work well for me.. I hope this was of some help... maybe give them both a try your self.. there is a Charlie's web site on here..and if you go over to the Laundry room forum, there is a posting on Shaklee and a web site where I ordered mine from, the lady was very nice as well! Let me know if you try either one..I am anxious to hear!!! Ree

thanks reeree,

What Shaklee product did you buy? Liquid or powder? It sounds like IÂll order the Shaklee instead of CharlieÂs soap. To hear Charlie soap couldnÂt remove a "fresh" stain concerns me. I wonÂt get my new front loader till the end of the month or early next month so I wonÂt be able to give feedback soon. So I imagine you pre treated the stain with the Shaklee product right? Any new updates bad or good for either product would be much appreciated...

Thanks reeree

Sal

Hi Sal
you must be so excited to get your new FL'er!!!! I bought the liquid detergent (Shaklee).. I always used liquid detergent, but I am starting to like it in powder form now..I think it lasts longer, but I am not too sure if I even saw the powder?? I will have to take another peek at the web site again. The nature bright is a powder. I think that in it's self is a great product. I was a little surprised the Charlies did not remove the stain my self.. some posters on here said they had no problem getting the stains out.. I believe they used the liquid, and also pre treated the stain with the liquid before washing..maybe thats the key? There is a poster on here that either works or owns/ manages Charlie Soap, and I am also surprised he/she didn't comment about my concern about not being able to get surface dirt or stains out..you would think they would comment to keep someone happy with their product.. maybe give them a helpful hint in why it wasn't working..know what I mean???

Getting to Shaklee... It is also a very clean smell..I always use fragrant free ..but they do make it with a mild scent for those who like it..I personally just want to smell clean, not fragrants... that is a personal choice for everyone and I guess it's nice they offer it to those who want a mild scent... The detergent mixed with the nature bright worked very well...I pre treated the chocolate spot with a mixture of full strenght detergent and nature bright..I actually rubbed it in well..and put it right in the wash.. I was so happy the spot was totally gone ( an Abercrombie shirt no less..lol) I do like the Shaklee products..they work well, the one thing is, Shaklee's laundry detergent is on the costly side...you get 32 loads and I believe it was 12.00 a bottle. Where as the Charlies was 11.00 for first time buyers and that one little bag does 80 loads. There was someone on here, I believe it was applemac that joined Shaklee as a member and now gets 15% off everything she buys.. what is very cost efficient is their all purpose cleaner..16oz bottle makes 48 gallons..they also have other mixtures and sell their own spray bottles..for instance..just two drops of the all purpose cleaner will make 16oz's of window cleaner..a 1/4 of a teaspoon will make 16oz's of all purpose cleaner and so on..that is a huge savings just using their cleaner.. I have been spraying all my windows , counters and even washed the floors, I must say..it is great..so you spend it one way, but really gain the other so I guess it all evens out.

ok..I am all typed out..lol!!! sorry this became so long.. let me know what you decide! Ree

reeree (sorry if this posts double)

I would have written back sooner, but I haven't made it back to this forum in a while. Some days, I think I never hang the phone up. Anyway...

I think I might be able to solve your stain issues. I just hate posting all sorts of product info on places like this because it ends up looking like a commercial. Give us a call if you'd like to talk, though. Since I can't post that, it's on our website. :)

Taylor

P.S. That's not a "first time discount" at the top of the page. It's just a recommendation which just happens to have a discount attached to it. :)

Great thread.

Does anyone know if the liquid or powder Charlie's is better for sensitive skin? I've read that the washing soda in the powder has a high pH.

Also, I use vinegar in a Downy Ball as my fabric softener. Anyone do this with CS?

Thanks.

Both the liquid or powder are fine for sensitive skin since it totally rinses out of you clothes.

I use a combo of vinegar and a little fabric softener with hubby's work clothes. He works with electric motors and has so much electricity in his body that he stops watches when he wears them so the fabric softener is for added safety. The rest of the laundry gets nothing added unless the spirit moves me that day. Why use something that isn't needed?

My daughter has had a FL for 4 or 5 years now and has constantly complained about an odor left in her clothes . . . she's done all kinds of things to solve the problem, like "deep cleaning" her FL with clorox, etc -- but towels, tees still don't smell clean. I forwarded her links to several threads from this forum that addressed the problem . . . hadn't heard back about it till yesterday.

I have a new FL and went into GW Research Mode . . . sent her more links re Charlies Soap. Turns out she tried it and says her clothes are getting "better and better." So I sent for a bag today and can't wait to try it out! I plan to wait to do laundry till it arrives . . . if I can hold out!

Does anyone use fabric softener with Charlie's? I use their liquid soap in my Bosch 500 series FL and I'm not pleased with how rough my towels are coming out. I haven't used softener or dryer sheets in years due to absorbency issues, but I'm about to begin! I also have tried 7th Generation liquid soap just for my towels and their not noticeably softer. Stain fighting is fine, just the softness or should I say roughness of the towels that's getting to me~ Thoughts please!

I have that same washer... I put white vinegar in the softner dispenser with every load, and also typically use about 1/4 cup or less baking soda per load, now with Charlies powder... too soon to make much for comments as this was my first wash weekend with the Charlies.... previously I was using all free & clear liquid.

I do use the sanitary cycle and extra rinse for my towels, while they are not "pillow soft" they are not rough (well, not since I stopped using the oxiclean with my wash... a failed experimant from my perspective!)

Hmmm, I use their liquid soap, but I think I instructed the cleaning lady to use 7th Generation as I wasn't thrilled with the roughness when I washed with Charlie's. Believe me, I'm not so excited with 7th Generation either, but yesterday I washed my towels myself and used the Charlie's. They definitely felt rougher than the previous day. I'll try the vinegar and the baking soda.
If other posters use fabric softener, what brand and does it come unscented?

With the Charlies they tell you not to use any softener that the ingredients(or lack of) in their detergent will clean the clothes, remove residue from other detergents and this will make your towels softer. It will just take several washings. Also you shouldn't flip flop between brands while doing this cause this way you are adding to the residue factor while the CS is trying to clean it all away. Go to their web site and you can read about some of this plus call them and ask them about the stiffness. They can tell you all about the residue and rough towels and how their detergents can clean that out. It just takes a while just like it took it a while to build up. Call Taylor with any questions-I have a few times and they are SUPER nice guys. I have even E-Mailed them and they answer you very quickly. HTH.

compumom,

I haven't tried Charlies Soap yet as I found this site looking for Miele 4840 reviews, and then found this string on this soap. I wish it was cheeper for Canadians, so I haven't gone and made my first purchase of Charlies. Then I found someone that is trying to get me to try the shaklee green stuff, since I am into all natural stuff. Right now I use a product that is all natural in my TL, but it isn't a product I could sell myself.

(I've been a victim of two car accidents, and haven't worked full time since 2003, now our savings are all drained. We are converting our garage to art studio for husband, in hopes to make extra income, and a space for laundry so I don't have to climb the basement stairs with laundry anymore. All on the equity of our home. I just don't believe in suing, now after the lost of income etc almost wish I did believe in suing. Anyway I am looking for something I could make an income on too, be easier to make money on things I highly believe in like green cleaning products.)

Anyway that is why I am presently coming around this site, now about your rough towels, I've never used chemical fabric softeners, I use a water/vinegar/essential oil compo as my fabric softener. Never straight vinegar. Then dryer balls in my dryer, use to use tennis balls for a few years. I don't want to repeat what I have already posted on another gardenweb string, so check out the link with Dyer balls.

Here is a link that might be useful: dyer max balls

It could be hard water that's causing the stiff towels. I have a few suggestions, but I don't want to be a commercial. :)

Taylor

I have a water softener and I have stiff towels ever since I got the Miele machines and/or the water softener as they all came into my household at about the same time. When I would take my laundry to my clinic where there is hard water and an old Maytag TL, my laundry was softer with less soap residue so I think poor rinsing is the issue with stiff towels.
DianeKy