Charlie's Soap

Can I tell you how much I love Charlie's Soap?

This past fall, after over a year of cloth diapering, I became discontent with my laundry detergent. I had used a variety of kinds: Method Free and Clear, Tide Free and Clear, and then a Kirkland's (Costco) "environmentally friendly" variety. I think the last one is what made me unhappy. I noticed my daughter getting more frequent diaper rashes as well as the fact that some of my good BumGeniuses weren't acting so waterproof anymore. I went back to the Tide, but that didn't help. I figured I needed to get rid of the buildup.

Since I was wanting to use fewer prefolds and get more BumGenius pocket diapers, and didn't want to face the same problems again, I decided I needed a new detergent altogether: one that actually followed all the specifications from BumGenius: no enzymes, no brighteners, and no added scents or coloring. No extra anything! I read all about the homemade detergents, but just didn't want to add anything else to my workload, especially not knowing the effect it would have on the diapers. Also, since I have a HE washing machine, I really wanted to be sure that what I used would not harm my pride and joy machine.

Then I remembered a friend who had tried Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder. She was still loving it. So I started reading about it on their website, and basically loved everything I read about it. I was sold. I found a distributor, and as a bonus, discovered a new cloth diapering/natural parenting source, too!

When I received my order, I was a little shocked at how small the bag of laundry detergent powder was! However, that was over two months ago. I have been using it for ALL our laundry ever since, and there is still half of it left! (I decided to simplify and use Charlie's Soap for all our laundry in order to keep any residue from other detergents out of the washer.)

The only drawback that I can think of is that now I am more wary of using cloth diapers on trips where I have to wash them in other people's machines. Now that we have switched over completely to BumGenius pocket diapers for my daughter for daytime use (and still use double stuffed Mommy's Touch or triple stuffed Happy Heiny's for night), I don't want to risk washing them in another person's machine that might have detergent or fabric softener residue in it. (I sound like a laundry snob now, I know.) But if necessary, I could just wash a couple of loads of clothes in the washer first, using Charlie's Soap, and that would maybe help clear out the residue before I wash the diapers. I have yet to try that, though.

So, all this to say, I am so happy I tried Charlie's Soap. If you are unsure whether you are using the right detergent for you cloth diapers, or simply want a practical, all-around laundry detergent, check out Charlie's Soap! I love it!

PS - I also altered my baby wipes recipe to an antifungal recipe. Since switching to Charlie's Soap and my new wipes recipe, the diaper rashes have stayed far away! I'll share that recipe as well, soon!

Check out the Green Baby Guide for more valuable tips!