We were thrilled to see that Business Insider recently listed Charlie’s Laundry Powder as the best natural powder! But what exactly makes Charlie’s the best powder laundry detergent? How does it work? And why would you use a powder detergent instead of a liquid detergent? Le

How laundry detergent works

Both powder and liquid laundry detergents use the same basic process and ingredients to clean fabrics. Alkalies, such as sodium carbonate, lift dirt, grime, or oil from fabrics so they can be rinsed away. Surfactants break up and disperse those tough, stubborn dirt particles that do not dissolve in water. Other ingredients include enzymes, which break dirt particles into smaller molecules to be washed away.

The ingredients in your laundry detergent combine with water and the mechanical energy in a washing machine to clean your clothes. The combination lifts dirt from fabrics, breaks down the particles, and rinses them away, leaving your clothes clean.

In many detergents, there are brighteners to whiten your clothing, added fragrances to make fabrics seem “cleaner,” and dyes for aesthetic appeal. Unfortunately, dyes can often irritate those with sensitive skin. Charlie’s Soap is the best powder laundry detergent for people with sensitive skin because it’s free of dyes, as well as brighteners and unnecessary fragrances.

Liquid, pods, or powder?

Powder laundry detergent used to be the norm, but now you can choose between laundry detergents in liquid, powder, or pod form.

Liquid laundry detergent is easy to use, transport, and measure out for your laundry loads. However, some measurement lines on the caps are tough to read. It’s easy to use too much or too little detergent per load, which can be wasteful or damage your fabrics. Plastic laundry detergent bottles are convenient to carry and store, but they’re more harmful to the environment.

Detergent pods are fairly new to the laundry detergent game. They’re single-dose pods that dissolve in water and clean your fabrics. While convenient, especially if you have to travel to a laundromat, they’re the most expensive option. They can also be hazardous to small children if ingested or handled incorrectly.

Powder laundry detergent has the smallest cost per load of any type of detergent. Packaging is usually recyclable and eco-friendly. It can also double as a stain treatment by mixing the powder with water to form a paste, although this takes an extra step that liquid stain treatment doesn’t require.

Choosing the best powder laundry detergent

Determined to find the right powder laundry detergent for your family? Consider factors like ingredients, your personal preferences, and your laundry needs.

Concentrated formulas are great options for those who do a lot of laundry. If you need an effective laundry detergent that doesn’t require as much powder, look for a concentrated, low-dose formula that will still get your fabrics clean. If you or someone in your family has sensitive skin, opt for a laundry detergent that doesn’t have dyes, fragrances, brighteners, or any other unnecessary ingredients.

Charlie’s Soap Natural Laundry Powder fits the bill for the best powder laundry detergent on the market. It’s hypoallergenic and safe for those with sensitive skin. Our concentrated formula only requires one ounce per load, effectively cleaning your clothes and rinsing out every trace of detergent completely. Plus, it’s biodegradable, making it safer for waterways, septic lines, and the environment.