Charlie's Soap

[CohenCottage]

Has anyone ever used 'Charlie's Soap' before? /www.charliesoap.com
I've read some good reviews of it in my quest for a good biodegradable powder laundry product. Our local health food store carries it, so we may give it a try. Of course, I just bought a whole jug of new detergent, so it may be awhile!

It is supposed to be good for all sorts of cleaning (even dog washing) and Heather, here is their Canadian distributor:

heir website is www.charliesoap.ca
Their full contact info is
JBR Products, Inc.
Attn: Mark Jonak
PO Box 572
Milton, ON L9T 5A2
Canada
905-854-3061

[Heather]

Awww I feel so special with my own link and all, eh?
I haven't used it but will consider it, thanks CC!

[chyna]

Wonder if it is the same people as Charlie Bear dog treats. I would gush about those to anyone listening. :p

[Gigi]

I haven't tried Charlie's soaps- but have made soap for about 30 years--it's true you can have a great laundry soap without harsh chemicals and for less than half the cost of commerical cleaners. I also LOVE that Charlie's dry laundry soap comes in the brown bags.


I own a "small" soap company~ but am expanding to laundry soap soon---I created a "Laundry" blog- but really won't be running until after the move, and after the wedding...

http://garvinslaundryandsoapcompany.blogspot.com/ I'm hoping to get some laundry tips from everyone.


Here's one tip to use if you ever leave a crayon in a pocket and it ends up all over the clothes: I poured one cup of baking soda in my washing machine (top load)- soaked the crayon laced clothes for several hours- then washed. Viola! The clothes came out clean and without any traces of crayons!

[RoseMary]

I've never had the crayon incident happen, Gigi, but I don't doubt that baking soda took it out! I love baking soda~it's good for so many things. I use it in my homemade laundry soap instead of washing soda, that most recipes call for, and it does a great job on our clothes.

[Breezy]

RoseMary - would you share your recipe for the homemade laundry soap please - would like to try it.

[RoseMary]

Sure, Linn. There are a lot of others online, so if you don't like this one, you might try some other recipes. You can even make up a powder type laundry detergent. I have hard water, so I use a liquid.

16 cups of water
1 bar of Ivory soap (I sometimes use homemade) grated
1 cup baking soda
1 1/2 cups of Borax

Dissolve grated soap in boiling water--stirring until completely dissolved. Slowly add Borax, a little at a time. Once it is added, you can slowly stir in the Baking Soda. Stir throughout the day. The mixture will get thick, so put it in a container that you can shake or stir before using. Use approximately 1/2 cup per large load of laundry.

I usually make up a 1/2 batch at a time. This mix is also a great stain remover!

[vintage girl]

You said stir throughout the day. How long do you have to "cook" it?

[RoseMary]

Oops, sorry about that:o. When the water starts boiling, you add the soap and stir until it is dissolved. Then slowly add the other ingredients. When they are all mixed in, you take it off the stove and let it cool. You just stir throughout the day to keep mixing it together. This is not like your standard store bought detergent, it will have a different texture and be thicker. Some people water it down more and use a cup per load.

[Breezy]

RoseMary - thanks for the recipe.:)

[vintage girl]

Thanks:) I think I will give it a try.

[Heather]

OK RoseMary - I made the laundry soap!

I would suggest though - use a LARGE pot - mine was just right (so I thought) but it bubbled over. It was kinda cute though, my son and I laughed so hard at me being a "mad scientist"...

Anyhoo, I have a question: I left my concoction in the pot overnight and this morning it's clumpy - like a sheet of ice - is that why when you have to shake it hard before using?

Also, do you think it would make good hand soap? If I run out I sometimes use liquid laundry soap in the dispenser and it works for me...

Thanks RoseMary for the recipe!

[RoseMary]

Sorry about that Heather. Mine has run over a few times~and my stove was VERY clean afterwards:p. Be sure and add the Borax (slowly) first~that seems to deter the baking soda from making it run over as much. I don't think it is a good consistency for handsoap as it tends to be too thick and does have to be shook up before use. (It's also important to keep stirring it occasionally during the day you've made it~this keeps the ingredients mixed together better.

Heather, if yours ran over, it may have lost a lot of liquid and it may be too hard. You may want to reheat it and add more water. That's what I've had to do on the couple of occasions that mine has run over. It still seems to clean as well.

I use it to clean all my appliances, too, as it seems to do better than the commercial stuff~without all the fumes.

[Heather]

Thanks Rosemary - I did re-heat it and stirred it more as it cooled down. It looks way better now and I've used it on a few loads of laundry already and it's great! It worked just fine on Kids' blackberry stains and Mans' greasy work stains.