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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Charlie's Soap Review and Giveaway! {CLOSED}




Do you think you need to use harsh chemical detergents to get your clothes clean? Think again. Charlie's Soap completely shatters that myth. The truth is, most conventional detergents do not clean your clothes - instead they use brighteners and additives to make it appear clean. Isn't that gross? I think so. I don't want any chemicals on the clothing I wear, let alone my baby's clothes. Charlie's Soap sent us their Laundry Powder and All-Purpose Cleaner for review and here are all the reasons why we love them!

Ease of use: I haven't ever regularly used powder laundry detergent. For some reason I always chose liquid. After trying Charlie's Soap, powder makes a lot of sense to me. Although they do have liquid that I haven't tried, I'm pretty sure I'm a powder fan! Why buy something diluted with water if you are going to put it in water anyway, right? Powder is super easy to use, I just have a scoop handy and I can always adjust to as much or as little as I need. It dissolves very quickly in the water and it is portable so I can take a little along if we travel. The All-Purpose cleaner is in a handy spray bottle that isn't so large that it's hard to hold. You can also dilute it to desired strength, but I usually reserve it full strength for tougher messes that other Eco-friendly cleaners can't handle.





Performance: I love this stuff! The laundry powder really amazed me at the true test, cloth diapers. That is the primary reason I wanted to try it, I am always looking for great cloth diaper laundry products. Because Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder cleans down to the fibers and leaves no residue, it is ideal for cloth diapers. We had no stink, no stiff diapers, no new stains, and no rash on baby! It is really great on clothes as well, leaving them soft and odorless. I love it!

We put the All-Purpose Cleaner to the test as well. We have an old cast iron tub from the 1960s and a cheap plastic tub surround that we want to replace. First we wanted to clean it though and tackle the build up of soap scum and even mold in places! Yuck! Now, my mother was kind enough to help out. She has been a cleaning lady for the past 14 years, so she knows her chemicals. She was insisting we should use chemicals in our house as well. No, no, and no. With a 16 month old baby in the house the last thing I want is to pollute our indoor air with carcinogenic compounds. So I gave her the Charlie's Soap All-Purpose Cleaner. We first showered the walls and tub, sprayed this stuff on, and left it for a while. Then just a little scrubbing and it was good as new, all without chemicals! It has a slight smell, just smells like strong concentrated soap. It is an industrial strength cleaner, and I'm so glad they offer it to the public. I'll be tackling the oven next!



Value: When I test products I like to try the expensive stuff that I otherwise would not be able to afford. But it is nice to find things once in a while that I love and can buy myself without breaking the bank. Charlie's Soap is one of those. Eighty loads of the laundry powder costs $11.69 on Amazon, that's less than 0.15 cents per load! If you get the 5 gallon bucket it would be less than 0.10 cents per load. Compare that to around 0.40 cents per load for other non-toxic detergents! The All-Purpose Cleaner is anywhere between $9 and $14 for 17oz, and a gallon refill costs around $22.

Environment: Just like in value, Charlie's Soap stands apart in their commitment to the environment as well. Their products are over 97% biodegradable over 28 days (the minimum to be qualified as biodegradable is 80%). Completely non-toxic! I don't recommend eating it though.

Company: Charlie's Soap is a family owned company, and always has been since 1976. Through many years of financial ups and downs, the company has survived and is now thriving through word-of-mouth. I hope they'll never get sold to some large corporation! There should be more companies like this, simple, honest, and good at what they do.

One Eco-Babyz reader will win the same Charlie's Soap prize package, Laundry Powder (80 loads), All-Purpose Cleaner, and a canvas tote valued at $32.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

MANDATORY ENTRY: Go to the Charlie's Soap website and tell us something you've learned about their products or company AND become a Charlie's Soap fan on Facebook.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (each on e in a separate comment, not valid unless mandatory entry above is complete; each is one entry unless otherwise noted):

2. Buy something at Charlie's Soap (10 entries)
4. Follow @EcoBlogz on Twitter
5. Follow @charliesoap3 on Twitter
6. Tweet about this giveaway with a link to this post, mention @EcoBlogz and @charliesoap3 (leave permalink to tweet in your comment)
7. Subscribe to Eco-Babyz by email (2 entries)
8. Follow Eco-Babyz on Google Friend Connect
9. Vote for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs, click here to vote (3 entries)

Contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, June 1st 2010. The winner will be selected using Random.org on Wednesday June 2nd and notified by email (make sure I have a way to get in touch with you, provide your email in the comment if it is not in your Blogger profile). Open to 18+ US residents only! Thank you!

Disclaimer:
I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service. The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

141 comments:

  1. I learned that Charlies' Soap can be used to clean horses! I also "liked" Charlie's Soap on FB!

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  2. I'm an email subscriber #2

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  3. I"m a Google Friend!

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  4. I'm an EB email subscriber #1

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  5. Email subscriber #2

    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  6. Email subscriber #1

    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  7. I learned that a mere 1/8 of a cup of liquid or 1 T of powder is enough to do one load of laundry. Wowsers!

    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  8. GFC follower

    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  9. Following Ecobabyz on twitter (christigpa/Christine Roeske)


    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  10. Following @charliesoap3 on Twitter
    christigpa
    christigpa at gmail dot com

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  11. Charlie’s Soap is designed to clean all the way to the fiber, and leave no residues, and so no fabric softeners are needed.

    Charlie's Soap Facebook Fan - Janet Fri

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. I follow EcoBlogz on Twitter - Janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. I follow on GFC - janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  14. I follow charliesoap3 on Twitter - Janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  15. I learned that they sell their products at GoGo Natural LLC in Chandler AZ

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  17. Not that I would wear or have my son wear polyester clothes but they did a research taking a polyester fabric, children sleepwear, and they washed it with regular detergent 50 times and than with charlie soap. After each wash with a regular detergent, the flame retardant properties dried and dropped in numbers. But after 50 times of washing with Charlie's Soap, they continued to improve the flame retardant properties so that the fabric would not catch on fire. No other detergent tested to improve those qualities.

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  18. I follow Charlie's Soap 3 on Twitter-pyrodamsel
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  19. I follow EcoBlogz on Twitter-pyrodamsel
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  20. Already a Charlie's Soap FB fan (Jenna Marie-Wood), and I learned the closest Charlie's retailer is 2 hours away :(
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  21. Subscribe 2
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  22. I subscribe!
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  23. member of eco-babyz on lunch.com

    hollywjones@hotmail.com

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  24. I learned that you only have to use a Tablespoon of laundry detergent. I wold love to see how that cleans vs a scoop of the other stuff. Its also made from coconut based detergents

    hollywjones@hotmail.com

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  25. I learned that I can buy Charlie's Soap locally and I'm going to get some today! Woo hoo! My girls are thrilled that we could use it to wash horses.

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  26. I am following EcoBlogz on Twitter.

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  27. I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs!

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  28. I'm a new email subscriber to Eco-Babyz!

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  29. I re-Tweeted the giveaway - I hope that counts, because I couldn't figure out how to do exactly what you said. I'm Twitter-illiterate. :-)

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  30. I am following charliesoap3 on Twitter.

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  31. Fan on facebook! - heatherscholten

    Their soap can be used in front loading machines and is HE compliant.

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

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  32. Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #3

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #2

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #1

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Follow Eco-Babyz on Google Friend Connect

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Subscribe to Eco-Babyz by email #2

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

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  37. Subscribe to Eco-Babyz by email #1

    heatherandscott030709 at gmail dot com

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  38. I learned you can use Charlie's Soap in a carpet cleaner.
    I already follow CS on FB (that's how I found this blog!).
    Now following EcoBlogz on twitter
    Now following charliesoap3 on twitter
    http://twitter.com/amberlaree

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  39. Oh and I also voted on Top Mommy Blogs

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  40. I learned that regardless of the size of your load, you still just use 1/8 of a cup. Love that! No more guestimating!!

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  41. And, I am a fan on FB.

    auisupu@gmail.com

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  42. I learned that Charlie’s Soap is designed to clean all the way to the fiber.

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  43. HORTON111@AOL.COM

    Our 2.64 lbs. bag of laundry powder can do up to 80 full wash loads. Thats just pennies per load! Needs only 1 TABLESPOON per large washload - That's all! This is not an additive. All of the features of Charlie's Soap Laundry Liquid but more concentrated! Hypoallergenic - leaves no residue - perfect for babies and those who have sensitive skin Dissolves completely / biodegradable More convenient and portable than a liquid Front-loader / HE compatible

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  44. Charlies' Soap can be used to clean horses mverno@roadrunner.com

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  45. I learned that you only need one tablespoon for a large load of laundry.. nice!! I am a facebook fan of Charlie's Soap (Gina B).
    ginabx(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  46. I follow on google friend connect
    ginabx(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  47. following charliesoap3 on twitter (buttabee)
    ginabx(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. following ecoblogz on twitter (buttabee)
    ginabx(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  49. 5. Follow @charliesoap3 on Twitter at AnneCarpenter acarp[at]swbell[dot]net

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  50. I am pleased to learn that a mere 1/8 of a cup of liquid Charlie's or 1 tablespoon of powder is enough to do a load of laundry. I have been a FB fan for quite some time. {Anne Reid Carpenter) acarp[at]swbell[dot]net

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  51. 4. Follow @EcoBlogz on Twitter--AnneCarpenter acarp[at]swbell[dot]net

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  52. 6. Tweet about this giveaway with a link
    http://twitter.com/AnneCarpenter

    acarp[at]swbell[dot]net

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  53. 7. Subscribe to Eco-Babyz by email acarp[at]swbell[dot]net

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  54. I learned that it is necessary to clean out your washing machine because 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.

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  55. I Love Charlie's Soap! Works great on cloth diapers, I know, personal experience! I didn't know they were on facebook, I'm a "fan" now!

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  56. Wow you only have to use 1 Tbsp of laundry detergent! It all sounds like amazing stuff!

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  57. Charlie's soap is great for all over the house! I now use it for laundry and cleaning. The car cleans with no spots when it dries:) Now I'm also a fan on FB.

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  58. I use learned I can use Charlie's soap in other places than the washer. I tried it to wash the exterior of the car and it worked great, no spots when it dried! Now I'm a fan on FB.

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  59. Wow. You can use this even in the dishwasher! I totally want to try this stuff out!

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  60. I have been using Charlie's for almost a year, and think it's the best detergent on earth. I learned that it works wonders on my son's cloth diapers, as well as his and our clothes. I trust it completely....I also love how you can use so much less of it. I use the liquid and always recommend it to new cloth diapering moms!
    Ps- I've been a FB fan for some time!

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  61. oops- my email:

    farrah dot ritter at gmail dot com. thanks!

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  62. Charlie’s Soap All-Purpose can be used in carpet cleaners! Awesome! Thanks for the chance.
    bekki1820cb at gmail

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  63. Following you on twitter: @bekki1820cb at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  64. Following Charliesoap3 on Twitter: @bekki1820cb
    bekki1820cb at gmail

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  65. GFC follower. bekki1820cb at gmail

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  66. Email subscriber. bekki1820cb
    bekki1820cb at gmail
    #2

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  67. Email subscriber. bekki1820cb
    bekki1820cb at gmail
    #1

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  68. Charlie's soap doesn't mess with the absorbancy of cloth diapers.
    janichols cox.net

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  69. I follow on Google Friend Connect. (Christie)

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  70. I learned Charlie's Soap cleans all the way to the fiber and it leaves no residue. That's good news for sensitive skin.

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  71. Google friend connect follower kycouple2000.

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  72. Fanned on facebook and here is what I learned from their website:

    To qualify as biodegradable, a substance must be 80% degraded in 28 days. Charlie's Soap degraded over 97% in soil in 28 days and is certified safe for use in small lakes and streams

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  73. Also following CharlieSoap3 on twitter as ky2here1.

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  74. Following EcoBlogz on twitter as ky2here1.

    ReplyDelete
  75. And here's my tweet:

    http://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/15075747807

    ReplyDelete
  76. I didn't know that Charlies came in liquid, and I certainly didn't know it was safe to clean horses with LOL. I liked Charlies soap on Facebook!
    mandalynn72756 at yahoo.com

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  77. Second for email subscription!
    mandalynn72756 at yahoo.com

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  78. Subscribed via email!
    mandalynn72756@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Following Charlies Soap on Twitter @mandalynns78
    mandalynn72756@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Followed on Twitter @mandalynns78
    mandalynn72756@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. Following on Google friend connect
    mandalynn72756@yahoo.com

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  82. I learned that most detergents leave residue and "Elizabeth I." is a Charlie's Fan on FB

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  83. Superfrugalette is following charliesoap3 on twitter

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  84. topgun34er is subscribing to eco-babyz email #2

    ReplyDelete
  85. topgun34er is subscribing to eco-babyz email #1

    ReplyDelete
  86. you need to clean your washing machine to get out perfumes, dyes and fabric softners!
    janel_marie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. voted top mommy blogs 5/31
    janel_marie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. (fb fan as a mom's take)
    ecoblogz twitter (amomstake)
    janel_marie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I learned that you only have to use a Tablespoon of laundry detergent
    amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I learned Charlie's is Hypoallergenic & leaves no residue which is what I so love about this Product!

    skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I am Following @EcoBlogz on Twitter, id-skyxsky27

    ReplyDelete
  92. I tweeted, http://twitter.com/skyxsky27/status/15198410822

    ReplyDelete
  93. I'm Followin @charliesoap3 on Twitter,, id- skyxsky27

    ReplyDelete
  94. I subscribed to Eco-Babyz by email #1

    ReplyDelete
  95. I subscribed to Eco-Babyz by email #2

    ReplyDelete
  96. I'm following you thru google friend connect as valancia.

    ReplyDelete
  97. I Vote for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #3

    ReplyDelete
  98. I Vote for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #2

    ReplyDelete
  99. I Vote for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs #1

    ReplyDelete
  100. I learned that a mere 1/8 of a cup of liquid or 1 T of powder is enough to do one load of laundry.

    ReplyDelete
  101. following charliesoap3 on twitter susan1215

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  102. Following Ecobabyz on twitter susan1215

    ReplyDelete
  103. I learned that "Charlie's Soap® is approved by the USDA for use in federally inspected
    meat processing plants and on all surfaces for food processing and
    preparation equipment"

    Fan of Charlie's Soap on Facebook (matthew wood)

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Follow @charliesoap3 on Twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Follow @EcoBlogz on Twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  106. Follow Eco-Babyz on Google Friend Connect

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/15204433172

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. 3-Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. 2-Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  110. 1-Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I learned that before first use you need to 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.

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  112. I follow Charlie's with twitter (DixieDisneyDiva)

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  113. I follow you with twitter (DixieDisneyDiva)

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  114. following you on twitter klp1965

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  115. 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

    like cs on facebook Kathy L Pease

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  116. lunch subscriber klp1965@myfairpoint.net

    ReplyDelete
  117. Follow @EcoBlogz on Twitter: @brianpiero

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  118. Thanks for the giveaway...Charlie's Soap was developed in 1976 by Charlie Sutherland, Jr. and his brother-in-law Ron Joyce who at the time were working for the yarn oil division of a large textile yarn company; they were asked to find a soap to clean up the oils his division was making and other accumulated grime the yarn machines picked up.

    Charlie's Soap fan on Facebook: Bryan Eason

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  119. Follow @charliesoap3 on Twitter: @brianpiero

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  120. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/15208441272

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  121. #3 Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  122. #2 Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  123. Voted for Eco-Babyz on Top Mommy Blogs.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  124. used to clean horses ty.
    vivianbl@olg.com

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  125. I follow Ecoblogz on twitter - ncschools.

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  126. I learned that most detergents use perfumes, brighteners and fabric softeners behind to hide the fact that they didn't clean very well.
    ncschools at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  127. I follow your blog with google friend.

    ReplyDelete
  128. I follow charliesoap3 on twitter - ncschools.

    ReplyDelete
  129. I'm glad I found this review. I've tried Rockin Green and Econuts but Charlie's Soap is on my next list to try. I'm trying to find my favorite detergent so that I don't always wonder about what else is out there. I'd love to use this on baby's clothes and diapers

    ReplyDelete

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