Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

Why is it necessary to clean out the machine?

Most detergents leave perfumes (cover scents), brighteners, and/or fabric softeners on your clothes to cover up the fact that the detergent really didn’t clean anything. These additives can easily cause skin irritations.

These additives are designed to stick like glue (how else could they leave all those things behind?) to your clothes, and therefore they stick to your washing machine as well
A double dose of either of our Laundry products, along with some old towels or shop rags, will be more than enough to loosen these deposits from your tub. After this first load, remove the towels and your machine should be properly prepped for use.

It may also be necessary to wash your garments a few times to remove old detergent residues from them.

Very hard water can retard this prep cleaning process and leave irritating residues on your clothes even with Charlie's Soap. Read on for more information about what to do when you have hard water.

Can your Laundry products be used to clean cloth diapers?

We believe that clean, dry, residue free and sanitized (frequently changed) diapers are best for babies and babies' bottoms. (See: UVA Health and Mayo Clinic) Our detergents contain no ingredients or additives that are designed to bind to fabrics, and contain no antibacterial agents. Subsequently, Charlie’s Soap is residue free. Since your results using Charlie’s Soap may vary due to your particular water conditions and your baby's sensitivity to bacteria, we suggest you follow a successful procedure like those listed below and determine which is best for you.

Are there animal-based raw materials in Charlie's Soap, and are any of the ingredients tested on animals?

We do not have any animal-based raw materials. However, we cannot be absolutely sure of the total history of all of our raw materials. But, to the best of our knowledge and sources of information, the answer is No.

We have not performed any in-house, nor paid for any animal testing of our products.

Is Charlie's Soap HE compatible or compliant?

HE means that less water is used per washing cycle.

HE detergents are often merely lesser amounts of the same detergents, because most detergents on the market do not dissolve well in small amounts of water.

Charlie’s Soap is completely water soluble, so it needs very little water to dissolve it completely.

Therefore, a normal wash load dose of the Powder or Liquid is small enough to use in HE machines.

If you have used the full amount of Charlie’s long enough to know that your clothes have all been washed at least 4 times and you are still noticing suds, only then should you consider using less Charlie’s Soap.

What soap is best for a front loading washing machine? Powder or Liquid?

Any of our Charlie’s Soap products may be used successfully in top or front-loading machines

It is merely a matter of personal preference. All of our products are low-sudsing and very efficient.

Front-loading machines generally require a bit less product per load because of their water-saving features; however, one (1) tablespoon of Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder completely dissolves in only one (1) cup of cold water and therefore works extremely well in any amount of water. The same goes for the Liquid.

Are Charlie’s Soap products good in hard water?

All of our products are good in hard water, but no detergent is AS effective in hard water vs. soft water.

We do not add the necessary chemicals to handle the hardest water problems because that would unnecessarily burden soft water areas with unneeded chemicals.

However, we are glad to assist individuals in those areas with special needs to get the most satisfaction out of using our products by providing information on special procedures that may be necessary in those most difficult hard water areas. For instance, adding a small bit of CLR® (the soap scum and rust cleaner) to your wash on occasion will dissolve these built up residues.

Is it safe to use bleach with Charlie's Soap?

Chlorine bleach can be used in the wash cycle.

Keep in mind that you don’t need nearly the amount of bleach to disinfect as you do to actually bleach clothes. If you use too much, beware of bleach residues. Following bleach with another wash of Charlie’s Soap can remove any residues.

Color-safe (oxygen) bleaches can also be used with Charlie's Soap, but chlorine bleaches are a bit more powerful and better disinfectants.

Will this product ruin my colored fabrics?

Charlie's Soap is safe for all Color-Fast Washables. In situations where one is in doubt, we recommend applying some to a small area for a test and rinse.

Should I add a fabric softener?

Fabric Softeners are used to cover the residues that normal detergents leave on fabrics. Charlie’s Soap is designed to clean all the way to the fiber, and leave no residues, and so no fabric softeners are needed.

What happens if I use more than the recommended amount?

It is wasteful, but not necessarily harmful. In extreme cases, an extra rinsing cycle may be needed to get rid of the suds and thus retain the hypo-allergenic properties.

May I wash my animal with any of your products?

You may use Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose in special circumstances where the pet has gotten into some particularly disagreeable stuff or you are preparing your horse for show. Our All-Purpose Cleaner works particularly well on hooves, manes, and tails.

Charlie's Soap is non-toxic, but be careful not to get any of our soaps in animal’s eyes. It may cause some discomfort.

Be sure to rinse your animal thoroughly and apply a conditioner after rinsing because Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose can dry out their hair or fur.

For years, our local veterinarian used Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose for cleaning dogs and cats, but they were not always careful to make sure the soap did not get into the eyes of the animals, so they discontinued use. However, they still use it exclusively for washing cages and floors.

Can that little bag of Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder really wash 80 full loads?

Charlie’s Soap was formulated to include only those ingredients that actually enhance the cleaning process. The big soap manufacturers still haven't figured out what really cleans after years of their almost monthly "New & Improved" formulas.

Without all the extra fillers, Charlie's Soap only takes one tablespoon for a full wash load.

However, if you are a new user of Charlie’s Soap it is possible you may only get 78 loads. See the first question.

Can Charlie’s Soap be used in a carpet cleaning machine?

Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose may be used in carpet cleaners such as the ones available for rent at grocery stores. But, be sure to *use no more than half the amount of cleaner recommended* by the manufacturer.

Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose is currently being used with professional carpet cleaners.

What other uses are there for Charlie’s Soap products?

Almost daily, someone calls us with a new use.

All the uses stated on our bottles come directly from customer comments. You might find a use no one else has discovered. If you do, we’d love to hear about it. For instance, we’ve had recent reports that one scoop of Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder can work effectively in an automatic dishwasher. Your results may vary, depending on the softness of your water - the softer, the better.

Is Charlie’s Soap a “soap”, or is it a “detergent”?

Charlie’s Soap is really a blend of natural-based surfactants (detergents) derived from coconut oil, treated with a product of natural gas (real soaps are treated with caustic soda or pot ash), and salts in water (Laundry Liquid) or pure Green Mountain washing soda (Laundry Powder).

There is a good reason that it is called Charlie’s Soap and not Charlie's Detergent. Thirty plus years ago, the product was first created for the textile industry. It worked so well that workers in the plants started stealing it. And, they eventually found their way over to our office asking for it. Everyone in the textile plants knew Charlie Sutherland, Sr., and so they started asking for some of Charlie’s “soap”, not knowing the chemical difference between soaps and detergents. Charlie Sutherland, Jr. actually created the product, but it’s not his name on the bottle. After years of trying to name the product everything under the sun, the name “Charlie’s Soap” just stuck.

I'm a first time user of Charlie's Soap. What should I do to make sure I have the best experience with Charlie's Soap?

Run a large empty load with double the amount of Charlie's Soap and maybe a few old rags to clear your washing machine of any residue left by other detergents.

Garments may have to be washed a few times before all the residues are removed and you notice benefits of Charlie's Soap - low suds, softness, scent free, etc. You will not need fabric softeners.

I have sensitive skin. How should I use Charlie's Soap?

The machine should be cleaned of all residues of other detergents before washing diapers in Charlie’s Soap. Put two scoops of the Powder or 2 fl.oz. of the Liquid into the machine and some old rags and run a full cycle with a double rinse.

Always use at least the full amount of Charlie’s Soap for a diaper load: 1 fl.oz. for the Liquid, or 1 TBSP for the Powder. Charlie’s Soap will rinse completely so there is no need to worry about residue. Charlie’s Soap needs that full amount to be effective on diapers. More could be required for excessive stains. Call for info if you have hard water.

Clothes that have been washed in anything other than Charlie’s Soap likely have detergent residues. Charlie’s Soap will clean those residues to the exclusion of other stains until they are gone. It may take several washes with a full dose of Charlie’s Soap to remove those residues, not just bring them to the surface of your garments. It is advisable to wash clothes that are new to Charlie’s Soap 2 or 3 times before wearing them. We want to make sure that nothing touches your skin but clean clothes.

If you develop itching from clothes washed in Charlie's Soap, take that garment aside and wash it alone twice with Charlie's Soap, each time with a double rinse. This is a sign that not all the old residues were removed. They have only been pulled to the surface where you can feel them. A quick two washes should alleviate that problem.