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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.

• 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.
• Please contact us if you are concerned about hard water or feel free to download this
  helpful (HARD WARTER PDF).

• 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.
  

• 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.
  
  
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• Almost daily, someone calls us with a new use.
• See our products page "All purpose cleaner" for a list of uses we know about. You don’t necessarily have to use Charlie’s Soap full strength to get the benefits.
• 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.

• 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.
  

• 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.
  
  
• Please call us at 800-854-3541 or email info@charliesoap.com if you have any questions.
  
  First Time Users of Charlie's Soap (PDF)

• 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.
  
  Sensitive Skin (PDF)

We currently don't offer samples on a regular basis for a couple of reasons. One is because we have a "money back guarantee". If you don't like it, just let us know and we'll take care of you. If you do like it, everybody's happy. This allows us to keep our costs down so we don't have to hide the cost of free samples in the cost of the regular goods. Another is that a sample is usually too small an amount to get a real good test. See the questions on first time users for more detail. There are some vendors of Charlie's Soap that do run samples from time to time, but we don't control that.

Here is a nice two page brochure on Charlie's Soap that you can download and print. It's got lots of information boiled down for an easy read. (Charlie's Brochure - PDF) Tell the store owner or your friend to contact us. We can answer all their other questions and take orders over the phone.

Thank you very much for considering selling Charlie's Soap products. I have a pre-prepared vendor packet that I can email to you up on request. Simply send an email to taylor@charliesoap.com entitled "wholesale inquiry" and I'll send it on.