Raspberry Laundry & Dry Clean proudly uses Charlie's Soap.

What's so special about Charlie's Soap?
Charlie's Soap is environmentally friendly to all land, air and marine life, when used as directed, because it contains only the purest natural ingredients.  Charlie's Soap contains no lye, phosphates, bleach, brighteners, dyes, softeners, petroleum, perfumes, or other fillers to fool you into thinking you just cleaned something.  Bright colors stay bright.  Dark colors stay dark.  Elastic stays elastic, etc.Other detergents use lots of additives that stick to the fibers in your clothes (and washer) that make them appear clean and smell fresh.  The residue of these additives can irritate delicate skin and wear out your clothes.  But, Charlie's Soap cleans all the way to the fibers and rinses clean.  There's no residue to stiffen the fabric, so softeners aren't usually needed.  Charlie's Soap restores the natural softness to cotton, microfibers, and silk and is a perfect choice for laundering cloth diapers.There's nothing softer than really clean clothes!  So try Charlie's Soap now and feel the difference!

Types Of Stain And Stain Removal

General Stain Removal

Stains may seem like the enemy, but rest assured there are some very basic strategies that can give you the edge on even the toughest stains. No matter what kind of stain you are dealing with, some very specific rules apply to what you do.

There are some specific categories of stains that need different types of treatment. Depending on what category your stains fall into, you may need to use different water temperatures, stain removers, and removal methods to make sure that every trace of the stain is removed.

Protein Based Stains

These stains include blood, dairy products, body soils, baby formula, mud, eggs,and baby food. Protein based stains will usually have some soiled areas that will need to be cleaned off with a spoon before attempting to treat them. Remember to avoid using hot water on these stains. Heat sets protein stains in fabric. Use cool water for washing and rinsing. Dried and old protein stains may need several rounds of treatment before they will be fully gone.

Protein Based Stain Removal

To remove protein based stains, you'll need a detergent or stain remover with enzymes. Most liquid laundry detergents already contain enzymes. Oxygen color safe bleaches can be very effective on protein based stains as well. Be sure to avoid heat. Hot water, an iron, or a dryer will set protein stains, ruining any chance of saving the stained item. Make sure a stain has been completely removed before drying it.

Dye Based Stains

Dye based stains include some inks, fruit, grass, Kool Aid, and mustard. The trouble with dye based stains is in their strength and how rapidly they stain. To remove them, you'll probably need to soak the stained area repeatedly if the stain has set. If you get to a dye stain quickly enough, it can be removed with water, if not you may need repeated treatments. Unlike protein based stains, dye stains are best removed with hot water.

Dye Based Stain Removal

To best remove dye based stains, you need to get to them quickly. Dye based stains that are fresh can possibly be removed with just hot running water. If a stain has been sitting for awhile, it will probably be necessary to soak the stained area to fully remove the stain. Dye stains frequently need multiple treatments to fully remove the stain.

Tannin Based Stains

Tannin based stains include tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit juice, and wine. Tannin stains are actually one of the easiest fresh stains to remove. Simply running a stained area under cold water and then washing in a regular cycle with the hottest water safe for your fabric will remove most stains. Set in tannin based stains are not as easy to get rid of. These stains will frequently need more thorough treatment, but be sure to avoid bar soaps. Tannin stains will be enhanced and made permanent if a soap is used.

Tannin Based Stain Removal

To remove fresh tannin based stains, run the stained area under cold water, followed by a regular wash cycle with the hottest water the fabric will safely tolerate. Set in tannin stains are a different story. These stains may require multiple treatments and soaking to remove the stains fully. Be sure to avoid any bar soaps or any other type of soap when dealing with a tannin stains. Soap will set a tannin stain permanently. Make detergents are used instead of soaps.

Oil Based Stains

Oil based stains include margarine, butter, makeup, oil, mayonnaise, deodorant, gasoline, and ring around the collar and cuff stains. The problem with oil stains is that they tend to reappear just when you think you've seen the last of them. Oils grab onto the fibers in your clothing and they don't like to let go. Oil stains also darken over time. To remove oil stains the key is letting a detergent soak into the stained area, and washing in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Double check that the stain has been removed before you place clothing in the dryer, and treat it again if your in doubt.

Oil Based Stain Removal

Oil stains can be difficult to fully get rid of. Oil stains can reappear just when you think you've seen the last of them. To remove oil stains, you'll need hot water and detergent. Soak the stained area before washing in the hottest water the clothing will tolerate. Check the stained area before you dry it to make sure the stain is fully gone. When in doubt repeat the stain removal process.

Combination Stains

Combination based stains include, crayons, gum, lipstick, chocolate, gravy, tomato based stains, and bbq sauce. There are tons of combination based stains. These stains take the best of two other groups and mix them together to make it hard for you to treat them. Usually the combination is dye or color and oil. Start by removing the oily part of the stain first and then remove the dye or color portion.

Combination Based Stain Removal

Combination based stains are two or more classes of stains that each have to be dealt with to fully remove a stain. Combination based stains most often have oil and dye components to be removed. The first step is to treat the oily part of the stain followed by the color portion of the stain. Combination stains may need repeat treatments, and since a dryer will set the stains, be sure to fully remove the stain before drying.

Front Load or Top Load?

One of the most important appliances you need to have in your house is the washing machine- unless you're perfectly contented in bringing your laundry every now and then to the Laundromat and pay for it.

Once you have decided to buy your own washing machine, you have to choose between the top loader and the front loader. Perhaps your parents would suggest getting the traditional top loader while your friends would persuade you to get the more modern front loader. The question is which suits your lifestyle best? Here are some factors you need to consider before you decide.

What's the difference, I mean, physically?

The top load machine has been around for some time now. Expect to find top loaders in most traditional homes. On the other hand, the front load machine has been commercially used in laundry businesses, unlike its counterpart. Top loaders stand vertically while front loaders are typically set up against the wall. While both machines operate on the same method, many people believe that the modern front-loader is the better option. Why? Read along.

I need to conserve water.

A top load machine will finish your laundry quicker but it turns out that you can save more water when you use a front loader. When you use a top loader, after you put in all your dirty clothes in the bin, you need to fill it with enough water to cover everything. You need to do this so that all of your items will be washed thoroughly.

On the other hand, if you use a front load machine, you don't have to fill the entire tub. Instead, you only have to use a third of the amount of water you usually use in a top load machine. This is because of the front loader's nature. Clothes inside a front loader will spin up and down, not sideways. Gravity will pull the clothes downwards into the water, thus thoroughly washing them.

I also need to conserve energy.
The front loader still scores in this area better than its counterpart. A standard top loader has an average of 650 rpm while the front loader reaches up to 1,000 rpm. Because of this, the front loader has less water left inside the bin and among the clothes, resulting to a faster drying time

I do not have all the extra space in the world, what do I do?

If you are using a top load machine, a separate dryer will have to be placed beside it. On the other hand, because of the nature of the front loader, you can just stack the dryer on top of it.

How about my clothes?

A front load machine uses no agitators on clothes because gravity helps in spinning them. Top loaders cannot rely on gravity and have to use agitators, which can actually cause your clothes to wear and tear.

On the other hand, the more comfortable option is...

The top load machine. If you have back pains or are simply not excited with the thought of bending every now and then, you can avoid the front loader. This is especially true if you stack a dryer above your front loader; you'd really have to bend every now and then. On the other hand, you only have to stand in front of your top loader.

And last minute additions?

If you tend to forget putting all your clothes inside the bin before washing them, please choose the top loader. Once it begins spinning, you can leave the bin open in case you find dirty socks lying around your living room. Unlike the top loader, when you start washing clothes in the front load machine, you have to close the bin. There's no way you can add last minute laundry there.

Most important factor: budget

Generally, top loaders are cheaper by hundreds compared to the front load machine. If you are on a really tight budget, please don't push it and stick to the top load machine. Then again, you can't just ignore the energy and water saving benefits of the front loader. If you have extra money to spend, you can invest in a front load machine and realize your savings later on.

If you ask me, I would save money and invest in a front loader. Not only will I save water and electricity, I will also save myself from repair costs. Top load machines are said to be problematic, including broken belts, hoses that leak, noisy spinning sound and in some models, dryer problems. The front loader might just be the best machine for you.

                                          FRONT LOAD WASHER

Front load washers were in older days used heavily in commercial businesses, however now days they are smaller, more affordable and better looking, which make them a great household washer.

The front load's main advantage is the water conservation, while the top load lacks in this category, the front load exceeds. The front load uses up to 60% less water and up to 68% less energy than conventional top loading machines, saving you on those electricity bills. As well as the water conservation front loads are much gentler on your clothes. The main reasons for this are because they have a drum with no agitator, and your clothes will not get caught and stretch.

While front loaders hit the lead with their water conservation, they fall back again with their longer wash cycles. There are models out these days with quick wash cycles; however this is only effective with lightly soiled fabrics like sheets, as heavily soiled loads will not clean properly.

                                            TOP LOAD WASHER

The top load washer has been the market leader in terms of washing machines for many years. They are common in many households, and have been the first choice for many people purchasing a washing machine.

The top load is great for anyone who doesn't have much time; one main advantage is that it is much quicker to wash your clothes. Your cycle will generally be finished much quicker than if it was done in a front load washer. Another main advantage is that the top load is right in front of you, and you don't have to bend down to put your clothes in. This may be okay if you're young and don't have a bad back, however a lot of older people would rather not bend over when they have the choice.

Although at this point the top load seems the way to go, like anything there are some disadvantages. One is they use a lot of water, and we know that today this is a very vital factor. Water conservation is more important than ever, and if you purchase a top load, forget getting any kind of rebate from the government except for the odd one or two machines new two the market place. Another disadvantage is that they are hard on your clothes, from experience I know this, I found even after a couple of months my t-shirts were stretched and almost ready for the gym pile. You can get top loaders without the agitator but these machines do not achieve the greatest wash results.

Vinegar Tips

Looking for brighter whites or bolder colors? The answer just might be white distilled vinegar. It’s a safe and inexpensive way to boost the power of your detergent and add a little more muscle to your stain remover. With vinegar in the mix, your clothes have never looked better.

Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.

To remove soap residue that makes black clothes look dull use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Before washing a mustard stain, dab with white distilled vinegar.

Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

Remove smoky odors from clothes by filling the bathtub with very hot water and 1 cup white distilled vinegar. Hang the garments above the steaming water and shut the door so the steam can penetrate the fibers.

Keep the steam iron clean and in good working order by getting rid of mineral deposits in steam vents and spray nozzles. Fill the water chamber with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and distilled water. Set it in an upright position and let it steam for about 5 minutes. When the iron is cool, rinse the tank with water, refill and shake water through the vents onto an old cloth. Test before using.

Remove scorch marks from an iron by rubbing it with a warmed-up solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and salt. If that doesn’t work, use a cloth dampened with full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Remove musky smells from cotton clothes by sprinkling them lightly with white distilled vinegar and then pressing them.

Get water and salt stains off shoes and boots by wiping them down with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Give patent leather shoes and bags a better shine by wiping them down with white distilled vinegar.

Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

Eliminate manufacturing chemicals from new clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water.

Remove soap scum and clean the hoses of your washing machine with white distilled vinegar. Periodically run the machine with only a cup of white distilled vinegar in it—nothing else added to the wash cycle.

Bring out bright colors by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Fluff up wool or acrylic sweaters (hand- or machine-washed) and rid them of soap smell with 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar in the last rinse water.

Get rid of the tiny holes left along the hemline when you take out the hem of any garment by moistening a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric and ironing.