Braun 5270 X'elle Body System Epilator Review. The #1 selling epilator brand in the world introduces the X'elle Body System, ideal for the person who wants to try epilation. This system removes more hair in one single stroke than other epilators. The exclusive X'pert- épil Technology, with more and uniquely positioned tweezers, provides faster and more efficient results. Regrowth is slower and finer, leaving your skin silky smooth for up to 4 weeks. Packaging may vary...

 "Say good-bye to waxing and shaving!" 2006-11-04
By Thomas Anderson (Harrisburg, IL USA)

Review updated: July 17, 2009



I don't know what to say...this is a great product! I remember back in the '80s, we had this crude epilator with a curved rubber tube with tiny slits in it that would open up on the bottom and then close as the tube rotated. Well, it didn't work worth a crap and it hurt like the devil when it did grab a hair. So a couple decades later and there's finally a epilator that works the way you'd expect it to. And the greatest thing is, is that it doesn't hurt in the long run. It'll hurt a bit at the beginning, especially when you're doing thick patches of hair, but subsequent sessions it actually feels good. Basically the density of the hairy area you're doing, the more it'll hurt. Think about it...the more hairs you're pulling out at any given time, the more pain you feel...makes sense, right? But when you're just going afetr a afew strays or the sporatic regrowth, you'll hardly feel it.



Anyway, here's the deal. Hair grows in cycles. Not all hair is above the surface at any given time. So when you epilate and you think you're smooth, don't be suprised when you find new stubble a day or so later. But don't worry, that's not hair you missed, that's NEW hair. Because when you pull it out, it's just as long as the other hair that you pulled out before. And how long is the hair under your skin? You'd be amazed. The pieces I measured were typically 5-6 mm long. And hair typically grows 1 mm per 5-7 days. So if you do the math, once your skin is totally epilated, (usually over the course of a week), expect the advertised 3-4 weeks of smooth skin. And the thing is, is that if you epilate every month or so, over time, your hair will become finer and thinner. You may even experience total hair loss if and when any given follicle gives up producting hair. EDIT: I haven't found this to be true yet, but who knows...



The epilator drum or roller is very unique. It contains 40 metal flaps (tweezers) that move against plastic edges which grabs and pulls out the hairs as the drum rotates away from your skin. It really doesn't take much of a hair above the surface for the tweezers to work either. That's probably one of the greatest thing about this epilator. ie. you don't have to wait days for hair to grow to a certain length to epilate them. You can do it with 24 hours or so.



This epilator comes with several different heads and attachements. It comes with the epilator head with two snap-on attachements that supposedly alleviate the pain for new users. I found out that the one with the rollers wasn't really necessary. The advanced user head makes you use the epilator at a 90 degree angle from your skin. It also helps keep the RPM at a high rate. But it hinders fine placement in those hard to get areas. At which point, it's just as well if you don't use an attachment and go with the bare drum. The other head is a oscilating razor with foil grill as seen in many other razors of this sort these days. However, being a Braum product, it works really well. The razor also has a leading trimmer for those long hairs that won't go into the foil. There's also an attachment that supposedly cuts long hair at the preferred length for optimal epilation.



The spotlight on the on/off switch is excellent. It's one of those little LED bulbs that are used in those multi-LED flashlights, so it is pretty bright. It is kind of necessary in non-flourescent lighting as I notice that if I go outside in sunlight I can see a bunch of hairs (stubble) that I didn't know I had.



Anyway, if you want the very best of modern epilators, get this one. It'll save you tons of money in disposable razors and/or waxing. It'll pay for itself in just one month.



EDIT: The new Emjoi AP-18 Emagine Dual Opposed 72 Tweezer Head Epilator is supposedly more efficient, but it has mixed reviews. Some say it's wonderful, but others say older models of different brands work better.

 "Here are some gotchas" 2006-11-18
By Mark Twain (Seattle WA USA)

I'd give it 10 stars if I could. This device has been a lifesaver for me. I am too much of a chicken to go to a salon; however, with a little trial and error, I've learned to do the epilation everywhere, even on bikini and underarm. My smooth skin gives me so much confidence, and it does not hurt a bit anymore.



If you are a chicken like me, follow my instructions instead of the manual, provided you are willing to invest a lot of time initially. I said initially, because, after a couple of months, the pain will subside and you'll be able to do it any way you want, while watching TV or lulling your baby to sleep. (Yes, the sound does soothe the baby! Consider that an unadvertized perk.)



So here is how to start.



1) Take a long, hot bath.



2) Shave. If you are persistent, that's the last time you ever will.



3) Use SilkEpil on just shaved skin. Yes, there will be hardly any results, but there won't be any pain either, and your muscles will relax; it's important to get into the habbit or relaxing while epilating, reduces the pain greatly.



4) Repeat next day (except, of course, no shaving). Heck, repeat later same day. You will achieve the results gradually while staying within your comfort zone as far as the pain goes. Do it every day until you feel in control, then gradually reduce the time interval between epilations to up to a month.



5) When you begin feeling pain on one leg, switch to the other. Somehow that reduces the pain.



6) Use long, quick strokes until you are comfortable.



7) Holding the device so that it rotates in the direction of the hair growth makes the process much more gentle on you and more time cosuming.



8) If you feel like giving up at any point, remember the 2nd epilation will be nothing like the first; the 3rd will be a breeze.



Good luck!



As for the product, my only wish is that it was cordless.



(Oh BTW, don't let my nick fool you: I AM a woman ;-) )

 "Has literally chaged my life" 2007-02-02
By Just me (Charlotte, NC United States)

For years I had been trying to figure out how to solve the problem of arm hair. I don't mean underarm hair, I mean hair on my forearms and upper arms. Being part Italian, I've been plagued with dark hair on my arms. Up until now I'd tried everything - waxing (the hair would come back after 2 weeks, so that was like $100 a month! I only did it a couple of times), shaving (I'd have to do it practically every day, otherwise I'd get this awful stubbly, prickly hair all over my arms...). I just wanted to solve that problem. I didn't care about my legs, since all women deal with leg hair, and I don't mind shaving my legs, but not everyone deals with too much arm hair (many women are lucky to have sparse arm hair). Anyway after MUCH research I decided on this great little Epilator. I was a little nervous, because some people said it didn't work well, or that it was really painful, gave them really bad ingrown hairs, etc. My pain threshold is probably slightly above average... When I got the Silk Epil in the mail, I tried it out immediately on my arms. It was somewhat painful.. I took breaks and slowly did both arms. Afterwards, and for about 12 hours afterwards, they were red and blotchy. I exfoliated right afterwords with a back scrubber on my arms (it's rough but really exfoliates well). I then applied aloe vera gel... soon after, voila, I had smooth arms (the redness went away and I did not get any ingrown hairs). For the first time ever (aside from when I waxed), I didn't feel that annoying below-the-skin stubbly feel on them. To make it even better, I didn't have to re-do them for another couple of days (to get the next stage of hair growth, I believe). After that, I didn't epilate them for about 9-10 days. Some regrowth appeared but it was actually in the form of fine hairs, ones that were not really noticeable, and that were fine to the touch (NOT prickly...!!!!). I have been really happy. I feel like this thing has really changed my life, because I no longer have to worry about shaving my arms each day (and having that gross "5 o'clock" shadow on my ARMS... and not having to worry about someone touching my arms). I also used it on the nape of my neck a little as well as on my lower stomach a bit (I was blessed with dark body hair :( ). Now, it's not PERFECT, there are some finer hairs that it doesn't really pick up, but I don't mind. I love my Silk Epil.

 "SO much better than waxing!!!" 2006-09-21
By Jiffer (Southern California)

I've had my bikini area waxed three times this year. Can we just say, "OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!" I also had my arms waxed for the first time a few weeks ago, which was considerably less painful. I was highly considering plunging into waxing my legs once summer was over. I didn't want to go around all hairy in between waxing while I waited for my hair to be long enough to be waxed. I was waiting for "pants" weather. However, after talking with a friend who epilates, I decided to try it.



I spent much of today reading reviews on this site and others. I narrowed my search down to the Braun Silk-epil X'elle and the Epilady Discrette. The Epilady was rated #1 by Consumer Reports. This Silk-epil X'elle wasn't tested by them. The Braun they did test came in #3, but was since replaced by the EverSoft, which I don't even see on this site.



I pretty much read equally positive reviews on both epilators in consideration. I was 50/50 in my decision. It finally came down to the fact that I couldn't find a store nearby where I could go and buy the Epilady, yet I could drive to Bed, Bath & Beyond and use my 20% off coupon to buy the Braun. So, I did.



I can't wax my legs yet, since I just shaved them today, but I did try it on both my arms and bikini area. As for my arms, almost pain free. Little pricks here and there, but it was really quite a breeze. The bikini area ... NOT so pain free for sure, but SO much better than waxing! I'm sure it helps that I just had my bikini area waxed three times, so there was less hair to start with. With waxing, a large section comes off all at once with one big, "OUCH!" every time. With epilating, I can control how much is taken and just do a teeny bit at a time if I want.



I used the "beginner" SmartStart Head, which pulls out less at a time. It takes longer, but is easier to start with until you get used to it. I'm confident that if I can handle epilating my bikini area, I can certainly handle my legs. I would have had to wait another 3 weeks to get my bikini area waxed, by the way, because I'm suppoed to let all the hairs grow to a certain length to get optimum results. My waxing gal says 6 weeks. Yet, with epilating, I can do it whenever there are any hairs long enough, which is WAY sooner than 6 weeks so far. Also, it's free and I can do it in the privacy of my own home. Not sprawled out for a stranger to see my "privates"!



Another reviewer stated that she didn't like the SmartLight feature. I, for one, thought it was great. I have blonde hair, so having a light to show me wear all those little buggers are is wonderful.



If you've done any waxing and you know what that feels like, epilating is so much better. I can't comment on any other epilators, but this one seems to be a great one.

 "Great Epilator from Beginner to Advanced!" 2006-09-23
By VSD

I have been using epilators on and off for years and lost my last one. I was never totally satisfied with it but it was good enough. I jumped on Amazon yesterday to read product reviews and I admit this wasn't my first choice. The one I really wanted is on back order so I thought I'd give this one a try. I got next day delivery and just finished using it. I am very pleased with my results. I haven't waxed or epilated for awhile so I used the starter head. Worked pretty well. Once I finished my entire leg, I went over it again with the advanced head and got a ton more hairs. Even TINY little ones! I never used my epilator on my thighs before because the hairs are so fine, it seemed like I could never get them with the epilator. I used this one on my thighs and it got almost everything. The light is not bad, not really necessary but not bad. If you really don't like it, you could just put a little piece of tape over it.



Some hair did break instead of getting plucked but that will happen with any epilator. If you are getting a lot of hair breaking off, hold the epilator so that the light is pointing down towards your ankle and the hair is being pulled in the direction it grows. Also hold your skin really tight. That helps too. I also read that if the hair breaks before it is pulled out, that the hair is too long. I am going to go over my legs again in a few days to see if I can get all the little ones that broke.



As no epilator will ever be perfect, I am rating this 5 stars becuase it is way better than my Emjoi or any other epilator I have tried. I love it! And wayyyyyy easier than waxing. And yes, the pain will get less, just push through it the first time. One tip is to get your legs waxed at a salon and then try the epilator when the hair starts growing back.

Iodoral 180 tabs Review. One 12.5 mg. tablet of Iodoral supplies an amount of total elemental iodine, comparable to the average daily intake of this essential element by mainland Japanese, a population with a very low prevalence of fibrocystic disease of the breast and breast cancer.* Picture may be of different size or flavor...

 "Supplement that saves lives" 2008-08-22
By DFW Chick (TEXAS)

Iodoral was recommended to me by my doctor. My headaches went away, it stopped my dry itchy skin in its tracks, turgor improved dramatically, and carb cravings just disappeared. My fingernails quit splitting & cracking and are now beautiful and long. I could go on & on, but this is a life saving addition to your vitamin regimen. Do your own research and try it for yourself. Start off slowly over about 4-6wk period. 1 pill, then 1/2, then 2, etc., until you are taking 2pills in the am and 2 pills in the pm. For very little money, it will be the best investment in your health that you will ever make.

 "Very good product" 2008-09-04
By S. Mursch

My elderly husband (80 years) and I (72 years) recently started taking this iodine supplement after reading a book on the subject. My husband is sprinting better than before and thinks that he is less prone to weight gain than previously. I find that I have more energy and less craving for sweets. From what I read, most people have low iodine levels and require more that the daily recommendations, especially if they use Splenda and fluorinated water.

 "Surprising results" 2009-01-25
By Nitehawk365 (Midwest, USD)

When I discovered iodine deficiency was responsible for many of my health issues, I first tried Prolamine Iodine from Standard Process. It worked quite well, but has some undesirable side effects. With Iodoral, there were no side effects. Highly recommended.

 "More people should try this" 2009-10-23
By Dianne McLelland

I suffered from joint pain, especially the hips and knees and general pain in all my muscles. I also had severe problems sleeping. My basil body tempature was 97 degrees and lower. My hair was falling out and dry as was my skin. My thyroid levels were elevated and I chose to take Iodoral rather than a synthetic drug that my Doctor recommended. Within 48 hours on Iodoral I was pain free and able to move. I am sleeping better and no longer losing hair and I did it without drugs. I wish more people would try natural supplements before drugs. Read and educate youself. Books on the subject are by Dr. David Brownstein, "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders" and "Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It". Great books.

 "Idoral seems to really help!" 2008-07-18
By Judith A. Elliott (Marysville, WA)

I have had thyroid tests that are in the low normal range for a long time. I haven't had more blood work done yet but I seem to have more energy and I'm feeling better overall.

Nioxin Intensive Therapy Recharging Complex, 90 Count Review. NIOXIN by Nioxin INTENSE THERAPY RECHARGING COMPLEX 90 TABLETSNIOXIN by Nioxin possesses a blend of Skin Care For The Scalp, Nioxin Products Remove Residue From The Environment And Restore Moisture To The Scalp Skin, Nioxin Is Formulated For The Scalp But Still Provides Cleansing And Moisturizing For The Hair...

 "More hair, more hair!!" 2009-05-18
By Fashionably Detroit

I have found that this product really works. However, the downside is that if you only want hair on your head, this is not the product for you as it promotes hair growth everywhere! Head, Legs, arms, upper lip, chin.... the list goes on! But if you can tolerate this, then this is the best I've seen and I've tried a lot of products

 "Great Stuff" 2009-01-14
By Janet Earth (USA)

I tried these tablets and I'm very happy with the results. My hair is growing faster now than ever. I'm 59 yrs. old and I have always had a hard time with hair growth.Same with eye brows,finger nails and toe nails.

With just 30 tabs,1 aday I'm seeing great results with all these things.I'm so happy with this product, I'm writting my first review ever for anything. Thank you, Janet

 "Great Product" 2009-03-05
By Melodie Sykes (Chicago)

My hair was getting thin in the top just like a man. I'm African American and I had a permanent put in by my stylist about every six months. I stopped the perm, but my hair kept falling out. My stylist gave me a bottle of the Nioxin and the shedding stopped. My hair is stronger and growing now. I love this product.

 "Multi-tasking wonder pill" 2009-05-16
By Angel (Channelview, TX United States)

After finishing one bottle (30 pills): I noticed visible improvement in my hair fullness (the main reason for my purchase), more frequent growth of my nails (although not necessarily stronger yet),and to my surprise a significant improvement in my complexion (few or no acne breakouts). I can honestly say that I am beyond pleased with this last one due to my never-ending acne prone complexion. I am currently on my second bottle and hope for continued results. I would recommend these pills to anyone who has similar issues (thinnning hair, problem skin, weak nails). Good luck to you!

 "oh my goodness" 2009-03-31
By L. Bynoe (Virginia)

The sides of my hair were thining so me and two of my girlfriends diecided to buy a 90 day bottle and split it in three. After 2 weks I noticed less shedding and the sides of my hair looks visibly thicker. I now have my own bottle.

Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, DHA & ARA, 25.75 Ounce Canisters (Pack of 4) Review. Give your baby a healthy start on life with Earth’s Best. Earth’s Best is the only full line of organic baby food and it is the first brand of baby food to be produced with NO Genetically Engineered Ingredients. Earth’s Best infant cereals and jarred foods are available in over 40 varieties, along with infant juices and teething biscuits to satisfy the taste and texture of babies four months and up....

 "it does not retail at $41 a can - even at its manufacturer" 2009-04-01
By C. Robinson (McNeil, TX)

This is a wonderful formula.

However, it is misleading to list this product at a higher price and appear as if Amazon carries it at a reduced price. It is priced at [..] at Whole Foods, same size. It is also available for online order at Earth's Best (the manufacturer) on their online store's website at [..].

The only place you are saving is to order more than one by monthly subscription through Amazon.

 "The ONLY formula to use!" 2009-04-10
By Marisa Giuliani (Verona,NJ)

No one had told me about this product because I am breastfeeding, but when I realized I was going to supplement at night I wanted to find a formula that would work well with breastfeeding. I tried everything on the market and all of them had added sugars and made my baby boy extra gassy and some even gave him a rash. I started reading reviews and found out about Earth's Best. It is amazing! It smells good, it lessened his gassiness and he absolutely loves the taste. I predominatey breastfeed, but the two bottles he gets a day are always Earth's Best...you won't be disapointed. (Too much sugar and carbs in the others).

 "Great formula, mixes well and organic is a plus!" 2009-01-31
By U. Salim (Santa Clara, CA, USA)

I switched from enfamil to this. Baby seems to like this much better. The formula is expensive but i have found the best deal on amazon. They had a price mistake so they were giving it for $27 for 4 cans... which got fixed later. But now they had other deals and with subscribe and save it is about $17.15, best price i have found... specially when it retails for $30 +tax.



Overall a good organic formula. And if the baby is happy i am happy :)

 "Great Formula, with great ingredients" 2009-05-18
By Katanya

All infant formulas have the same ratios of nutrients - that's mandated by the government. However, the ingredients used to source those nutrients, that's what's important. Earth's Best is organic, and made with wholesome organic ingredients that you would actually want to put into your infant's body.



My son was breast fed, but I couldn't make enough to meet his requirements when I went back to work. I tried Infamil once, and he threw it up. Earth's Best, he actually looked forward to drinking.



Do you know that formula manufacturers used to remove Omega 3's from formula? Because it decreases shelf life. So be prepared to use the can within a month of opening it.



Also, if your infant is allergic to soy, this product is not soy-free (It has soy oil).

 "Earths Best is the BEST !!" 2009-03-14
By Mark Smith (Seattle WA)

Because the Earths Best Formula saved me tons of sleep I rate it a 5 stars !! Our baby was fussy, trouble being regular and sleeping thru

the night.. Our Doctor recomended we change to Earth Best and WOW

it has been great. I feel good feeding Organic. The best part is the

price...This is the Monster size can ! I looked at other web sights

and amazon.com has the best price and so much cheaper than stores.



We saved an extra 15% by getting it auto shipped. I would also highly

recomend the Eaths Best baby food jars on amazon also. We get a couple of the variey packs shipped on subscribe and save.. that has saved me more than one late night trip to the stores



A happy baby and happy wife....mean a very rested and happy Dad !!

Philips Norelco BG2040/34 Philips Norelco Bodygroom Pro Grooming System, Black / Silver Review. Introducing the ultimate in body comfort when in comes to body grooming, the Philips Norelco Bodygroom Pro all-in-one grooming system. With a special shaving head that pivots from front-to-back and side-to-side, the Bodygroom Pro groomer provides a close shave where you want it without unsightly red irritation. Flip it over and you have an integrated trimming unit that provides five length options for whatever look you want....

 "After reading lots of reviews, then buying it, i'm still happy." 2010-07-11
By Michael A. Layman (Louisville, KY USA)

So, i think i read just about ever single review for this product before buying it (the BG2040 model) and as well the model below this one the BG2030. What i really liked about the BG2040 is that all the attachments are on the shaver. this means that if i want to use the comb attachments to shave hair to a certain length i don't have to hunt for or even change anything on the shaver. Its al there already, and i love that! i really dont like buying shavers with like twelve attachments... lame. This is a very simple product and does a great job at shaving. i've used the shaver in every way it was designed for and for all areas of the body. And it really does a great job all over.

Now as far as shaving "below the border" it was a bit frightening at first but after actually doing it, it was actually no worry at all. Worked great. Though you do have to still be careful. Don't expect that you can just go shaving down below with your eyes closed and half hazzardly expecting to come out without any....accidents, just because this is advertised as a product that is meant for shaving "all over". You still gotta be smart and be careful and take your time. But if you do, you'll be fine.

Battery life if good, cleaning is easy. Works great in the shower and out of it.



Now just go ahead and buy it and stop reading all these crazy reviews. What i learned was that for every negative review you read for this product you can find a positive one as well and visa-versa. I read every review, then bought it, and i'm happy with the purchase.



Good Luck!

 "Great Engineering" 2010-05-26
By Bob Dog (Maryland)

I think the other reviewers have said most of what I'd planned to say, so I'll try to add comments that fill in some of the gaps.



First of all, I am one of those people an earlier reviewer referred to as a "Yeti." If I didn't groom throughout the year, I wouldn't need to wear a coat in the winter. Since I don't live in Siberia, this is a significant problem because the ladies (below the arctic circle) don't like this sort of thing. I have to groom several times a week, and this unit does it all.



I can adjust the depth of the one end to trim my goat, adjust the depth again to trim my eyebrows, then flip it over to clean up the perimeter of the goat, my sideburns, and remove anything on my neck and ears. I typically use a razor to shave, but I've found I can actually razor shave every other day by banging out a quick shave with the foil end, if I don't have an important meeting at work.



I was impressed right out of the box because it was easy to open, and the form fitting tray holding the unit was actually high tech molded paper, so most of the packaging was recyclable.



If I can reach it, I can trim it cleanly and painlessly with this unit. Now if the Norelco engineers can just figure out how I can trim the center of my back without help, they will really be onto something.



This is actually a situation where the few extra dollars are totally worth it. Very good, high quality engineering on this device.

 "Safe for Nether Parts!" 2010-09-14
By Justin Wu (Miami)

I bought this groomer because I wanted a better alternative to a razor for shaving down there. Excellent buy in my opinion! It is "shaft, sack, and starfish" safe, if you know what I mean. I was a little bit wary of the trimmers on the sides of the shaver section because in the picture they kinda stick out. But after using them they do not hurt at all. If you press too hard they will pinch you, but they don't draw blood or break the skin, if you are being careful and paying attention. Like all things in life you have to pay attention to what your doing if you want it to come out right. Highly recommended product for cleaning hair everywhere below the waist.

 "Amazing" 2010-05-05
By P. Masso (Queens, NY USA)

The trimmer is amazing. I owned the first one that came out BG2020 and compared to this model it is use-less. This model is great, metalic cover with rubber grips for great holding. It is heavier then the earlier models, has buzzers on both ends which can have only one on at a time (great incase ur absent minded like me at times). The pivot head is one of the Key additions that makes the model superior, reduces any possibilty of cuttes or close calls. The other being the groomer itself has a battery power indicator, if you have had any bodygroomer with out one you must know how annoying it is to not have enough juice to get your job done. The light indicates charging, low battery power and full battery, great to know since most of these devices can malfunction if left charging to long. A must by if interested into personal grooming men and women alike. I've gotten all my friends into norelco because of this model series.

 "works just like i hoped" 2010-06-28
By Guy (ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, US)

No complaints here! What you see is what you get. Was able to shave in the no-no places with ease and comfort. Great shave!

Charlie's Soap Powder - 2.64 lb (80 Loads) Review. Certified Non-Toxic, Hypo-Allergenic, and BiodegradableCharlie's Soap q...

 "Amazing Product! Actually does what it claims!" 2009-02-03
By curlymommyof2 (Illinois)

About a year ago I was desperate. I was trying so hard to find something that would get my husbands uniforms clean. He is a garbage man and comes home covered in so much mistery grime it isn't funny. I had tried Tide, All, store brands, and every type of color safe bleach and pretreater out there. Nothing worked. His work clothes would still be heavily stained, and there were times he would come home on a rainy day saying his clothes reaked as soon as they had gotten wet.



I decided to do net search. I came across a lot of posts from diaper sites saying how great Charlie's was and how clean everything came and how well it removed the smell. Although I was not in search of a diaper detergent, I figured if it could clean those well enough maybe it would work for my problem. I went to their website and checked out their products and the information on them. I am so happy I did.



Charlie's truly does clean. My husband's clothes come out virtually stain free. Which is not bad considering what he gets on himself. The odor problem stopped too. I can use it on all of our laundry from delicates to play clothes, so there is no need for me to have multiple products lying around. It is made to work in Regular or HE machines, so when I switched my machines I did not have to find a new brand.



Other added benefits are: you do not need fabric softener, it is one of the safest detergents on the enviornment, it actually helps keep our clothes almost like new, and it is absolutely awesome for our sensitive skin. In addition to that, it safely maintains the flame retardency of childrens sleep wear and maintains the properties of many other types of working gear as well. It is also very cost effective. It costs less per load than All, Tide, Seventh Generation, and many others. You will also get a better clean than you would with any of the afore mentioned.



The company is also extremely customer orientated. They still practice the almost gone tradition of actually caring about their customers. With any purchase they offer free literature giving advice on hard water, diapers, and first time users (if ordered through them directly). Just make sure you check what literature you need on their order form. They will also answer any questions you may have.



Many have not heard of Charlies. Many will ask if it is so great why isn't advertised nation wide. Well, they are an old fashioned company. They believe word of mouth is far more important than some fancy expensive advertising gimic. Anyone can advertise anything, but only the best products achieve gradual fame through word of mouth. Charlie's Soap is one of those products.



I have tried other detergents that claim to do what Charlies does. One of those being Country Save, but there is nothing I have found that cleans as well as Charlie's soap.



I know it seems I am really excited about this product. Well, I am and I always will be. For the first time, I found a product that does what it says it does. "It really cleans." When was the last time you could say that about a product?



I urge you to give this a try. Whether you are very enviornmentally conscious, want your clothes really clean, have sensitive skin, are in the military and can not use optical brighteners, or just want your money's worth, than this is for you. You've got nothing to lose by giving it a try.

 "THE BEST LAUNDRY SOAP I'VE EVER USED" 2008-12-17
By Andrea Shiell (Lexington Park, MD)

Sometimes a complete accident will lead you to a mainstay product you just can't live without. I found out about this stuff about a year ago on a vegan website where they were discussing cruelty-free laundry detergent, and one person recommended this. I do too. You truly don't need to use more than 1 TBS per load, and this should mean a lot coming from a person who used to use twice as much detergent as she needed to. My clothes don't come out smelling flowery (if you want flowers, go outside and pick them), just clean, and this stuff is also good for heavy duty cleaning, too. It's now the only laundry soap I use, and I recommend it to everyone.

 "Gets the job done!" 2008-08-04
By Peter A. Henderson (Pomona, NY United States)

My wife bought this for the cloth diapers we use for my daughter. It was recommended to her by a friend. We now use it for all of our laundry. It cleans well, smells good and for the amount you use per load (1 Tsp.) it makes it worth it cost wise. I've also used the all purpose cleaner with similar results. Excellent!

 "I LOVE this FRAGRANCE FREE laundry detergent!!!" 2009-08-26
By J. Wright (Philadelphia, PA)

I have been using Charlie's Soap for over two years. I was looking for a Green laundry detergent that was fragrance free because my sister gets severe migraines from strong fragrances, so I wanted my clothing to be completely free of fragrance.



One tablespoon of this laundry detergent gets a large load my laundry beautifully clean. My laundry smells so fresh -- no fragrance to cover up odors because there are no odors left when I clean my laundry in Charlee's Soap.



I love how this laundry detergent works and that I can use it for my regular wash and also for my delicates. I use it for silk, cotton, polyester, and blends. It works great and leaves no residue.



I use Charlie's Soap along with 20 Mule Team Borax for my white laundry, and the combination works as good as if not better than when I use bleach. (By the way, you can safely use Charlee's Soap and bleach together on your white laundry items, if you wish).



Charlie's Soap is made by a family owned company. I like supporting that kind of company instead of the big-box stores.



I can't say enough good things about Charlie's Soap and the people who make it. Thanks!!!



P.S. I have noticed that there is a lot less lint on my dryer's lint filter since I started using Charlie's Soap. I think this laundry detergent is much more gentle on my laundry than other detergents that I have used.

 "great, inexpensive solution" 2009-01-01
By T. van Es

I love this soap. I found out about it only from researching natural, economical soap solutions but knew no one who'd tried it around here. So I took a chance and ordered a few bags. After several months of use I can say it does a great job cleaning. It didn't do much for old stains but it does a great job with new potential ones - being on a small farm we've run the gamut of spots from food, dirt, animal wastes, blood, and equipment grime. I love how clean everything looks and smells.



You may not believe the instructions (one scoopful, scooper is buried in the bag so look for it) but trust them! I am using the soap in an HE washer too. I don't think I will ever go back to conventional laundry soap.



Instead of using the bag, I fill a large size plastic yogurt container, cleaned and dried, and use that to store the powder. I find it easier to open and scoop that way.

Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator Review. The doctor recommended nasal aspirator. Developed in Sweden by Pediatricians and Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, Nosefrida has been used by European Moms and Dads for years. It features a 15" clear plastic tube that extends from a nasal nozzle, allowing the parent to use their own suction to draw mucus out of their child's nose. Disposable filters prevent the user from catching the child's cold. The device is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. Nosefrida is made of non-allergenic, latex-free polypropylene. It is safe to use and causes no injury to you or your child....

 "The grossest thing that I've ever loved" 2007-12-10
By Shelleybean3333 (Foothills, NC)

This picture confused me because I thought that the large blue box was part of the Nosefrida. It is the just the case. There is a red mouthpiece, clear tube, blue filter and clear...I'm going to call it the "applicator" that you put up to the baby's nose.



I examined the nosefrida for a long time before trying it out on my four month old. I wanted to make sure that there wasn't anyway for snot to end up in my mouth. 14 hours of labored breathing, the baby's-not mine, I decided to give the Nosefrida a go.



Darn if that little disgusting contraption doesn't work! And I know it works because I could actually see the snot collecting in the tube. Yes, I gagged a little, but baby could breathe! And after all, isn' that what they teach you day 1 in parenthood?

Day 1. Make sure baby can breathe.



I still think you'd have to be pretty close to someone to give this as a baby shower gift. No one wants to think of snot on their happy day.

 "A must have!" 2008-04-15
By S. Priebe (Phoenix, AZ USA)

This nasal aspirator is absolutely amazing. It WORKS. And it is completely non-invasive. My 4 week old newborn caught a cold, and this thing saved me. It cleared her out SO WELL! I had been using a bulb syringe, and she would scream and scream. Plus, the bulb syringe was irritating her nose and causing it to bleed. Once I got the Nosefrida, I was able to suction her nose much more effectively without shoving anything in her nostrils. She barely even cries when I use it. Mostly, she hates the saline drops I use ahead of time. I have to wonder if I didn't start using the Nosefrida if she would have developed a worse infection. All that drainage could have headed to her lungs. I read some reviews on the Nosefrida that said it takes too much lung power. It definitely does take some lung power, but if you have healthy lungs it should be no problem (I had no difficulties). Also, some people said it's hard to hold the infant's head still. I don't think it's any harder to hold the baby's head still than with a bulb syringe (with both aspirators you have just one hand free). Actually, I think it's easier because I know my baby fights the bulb syringe much more than the Nosefrida. One great benefit of the Nosefrida is that you can wash it in the dishwasher. It is a very clean system. I HIGHLY recommend this product!!! Every mom who has a baby should own one. It truly comes down to a safety issue: allowing your baby to breathe.

 "Best Nose Sucker on the Planet!" 2008-04-08
By Storm (Cleveland, OH)

WOW!!!! This is the best nose sucker on the planet!!!! I was mortified after my chronically stuffy 6 week old son turned his head unexpected while using a traditional bulb aspirator that resulted in a nose bleed. I immediately started looking for a method to clean his nose without having to violate his nose cavity. After much research, I found Nosefrida. I was skeptical at first, but decided it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. A couple of drops of saline and a few quick sucks and wow the mucus AND the harden boogers came out with an ease I couldn't have imagined. It was gross seeing a tube full of slimly, mucus and boogers only inches away from my mouth, but the sweet sound of my son breathing easier made it worth the initial ick factor.



I will say that using the long tube that comes with the Nosefrida is very difficult, requiring massive amounts of lung power. Instead I have clipped tube to just long enough (about 0.5 inch) to attach to the aspirator and it works just dandy. I have also found that taking several strong short bursts in the row (about 5-7) pulls the material out faster with little tugs. Most importantly, no more bloody noses and my son breaths easily and don't scream every time he sees me coming towards him for a nose clean.



I recommend this product to everyone!!!!

 "DO NOT CUT THAT TUBE!!!" 2009-01-28
By pcgirl

I am an avid reader of reviews and it is for this reason, when my 4 month old was congested, I purchased the Nosefrida. I had read over 70 reviews and almost all of them said to cut the tube down when you purchase this item.



DON'T DO IT!!! I'll tell you why...



My son has Down's Syndrome, I say this so that you are aware of the fact that his nasal cavity is smaller than most babies.

Upon purchasing the Nosefrida, I tried using it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement! But you say, why 5 stars then??? Just like anything else, this takes practice to get right. I quickly started to cut the tube about 1 inch at a time until it was about 5 inches long.

The power of the suction was amazing and I was finally "getting somewhere". Unfortunately, I blocked my son's nasal cavity with some mucus that was way in the back and couldn't get it extracted. He started to have trouble with his nose, sniffing like it was clogged.

Finally he sneezed and he was alright. I contacted Nosefrida and received my replacement quickly and courteously. This time I spoke by email to their customer service rep and was told that I should not cut the tube, that it was especially designed with the length necessary. Personally, I think that since this device is made in Sweden that Swedish woman have better lungs than us Americans!!! LOL

Anyway, this time I started using it as my son was getting a winter cold. MAN, THIS THING WORKS!!!

I get so much mucus out of his nose, much more than I ever did with the nose bulb! I didn't throw that out though as there are just times that I get it all the way to the front but not completely out and that's where the bulb comes in place. Also, the bulb is good to carry in case a need arises while out. (Though you could just take the Nosefrida along as it comes with a nice carrying case! I never use it though as I just wash it in soapy water and let dry by the sink...)



All in all an amazing product if you keep these things in mind....

First- DON'T CUT THE TUBE!

Second- practice sucking air in while not using the device (ie- like sucking through a straw)

Third- Spay a little saline spray in the nose prior to suctioning. Use the Nosefrida in a circular motion while the product is just touching the inside of the nasal canal. Listen for the "juicy" sound and suck in short breaths alternating to longer ones as needed.

Blow the mucus into a tissue or soft cloth (my favorite so it's gentle on the face)

Fourth- I found that if you put the child in a feeder seat or highchair that they fuss much less. My son would scream and buck when he was laying down. Now in a seated position he hardly ever cries (but you can't blame them for wanting to get away...ever try one of those bulbs on yourself?)

Fifth- Wash immediately in warm soapy water letting the water run through the blue tube (shaped like a cigar) both ways.

Sixth- I reuse the filter (a spongy cylinder that goes in the cap) several times after washing it in soapy water and letting dry although they recommend replacing after each use. I find that the mucus rarely reaches the spongy thing. When I clean it, it's always dry!

The choice there is yours.



Works great!!!! Keep practicing, it's worth the effort to learn how to use this, your children will thank you for it.

 "Awesome product!" 2007-12-13
By Bridget Hayward

I did a lot of research on nose aspirators before settling on the Nosefrida. The standard blue bulb was extremely upsetting to my 3 mo old son, and frustrating for me and my husband. Not to mention ineffective.



The very day I ordered our Nosefrida, my son came down with his first cold. Those first days were painful, struggling with the blue bulb to clear his passages. And then it arrived... I tore open the package, all the while promising my skeptical husband that 'this will help--all the reviewers love it!!' And it DID! Man, we sucked some serious business from deep recesses. He barely noticed the tip of it at the end of his nostril. His eyes got really wide when he could feel the suction and seemed a bit freaked out but he got over it quickly when he felt the difference. Now, a month later, he even smiles when we bring out the Nosefrida to give him some relief.



I know some other reviewers had trouble with the suction, so here's a few tips: 1. Be sure to spray some saline up the nostril 30 sec or so before you suction. Breastfed babies especially have very sticky boogies so we have to moisten them up for removal. 2. Be sure to listen for a 'click' when you attach the two pieces together, or else you won't get anywhere.

3. Don't just hold it in one spot, move the tip a bit(circular motion is nice) b/c sometimes it makes a huge difference.



So that's it. It's kinda weird, sucking things out of your child's face, but MAN IS IT WORTH IT!!!

Oral-B Dual Clean Replacement Brush Head (3 ct.) Review. Oral-B Dual Clean replacement electric toothbrush head features two moving brush heads in one, so it provides twice the cleaning action, removing more plaque than a regular manual brush....

 "More bristles, more buzzzzzz." 2005-05-27
By Joseph Ekaitis (Southern California)

One of these brush heads came with my Oral B 980TX power toothbrush. I liked it so much more than the regular FlexiSoft head that I immediately ordered the 3-pack.



The extra bristles with their side-to-side oscillation add more oomph to the Oral B's tingle-inducing cleaning action. I can feel it all the way to the base of each tooth. When I rinse, I see more loosened debris swirling down the drain. I finish my morning brushing with a hydrogen peroxide rinse, and, man oh man, does it get foamy, an indication of freshly cleaned dental and gum surfaces.



The price is already a bargain but with additional available discounts like Free Super Saver Shipping, it's a steal.

 "worth it" 2005-02-15
By Akshay (San Jose)

I was leery of the shape at first, but after one brushing, I'm hooked! The teeth are much slicker compared to the standard round head after brushing. The head is bigger, but the round part can reach hard spots.

 "This Made My Great Toothbrush Incredible" 2006-05-05
By Greg Robertson (Historic Quincy, MA)

When I first switched from a standard toothbrush to Braun's power rotating brush head, I was surprised at how much cleaner it made my teeth feel. Then I tried this DualAction brush head, and loved it even more in about 3 seconds. Still do. In fact, I recently ordered 5 of the 3-packs all at once because I've had trouble finding them in stores and I was afraid they would stop making them or change the design.



Now, it is true that at first it feels like you've put one of those power floor scrubbers in your mouth, in that it feels kinda big and industrial until you're used to it. But boy does it make your teeth and gums feel cleaner. And I was accustomed to the different feel by the end of my first brushing with it. If that sounds potentially troubling to you, I recommend just buying a one-pack the first time. It's not cheap, after all, but for me it's been well worth the cost. Do try it.



I should also note that when I mentioned to my dentist that I've been using this, she referred to it as a "business killer." I take that as another good sign.

 "Can't Bet This Price" 2007-07-27
By J. Leigh (Brooklyn, NY United States)

I use the Oral-B Toothbrush and this head usually costs a lot more. This larger head makes cleaning your teeth easier and more thoroughly. A great price and I hope to see more like this.

 "A great addition to the Braun brush head selection" 2006-04-23
By David B. Spalding (Chromejob-dot-com)

I got one of these with my last Braun replacement, a 7850DLX set. At first, this veteran user of the EB17 Flexisoft head was a bit skeptical. But after a few days use, I have a new favorite.



The dual-brush head is a bit bigger than the traditional round head. The EB17 is still great for getting in tight spots, particularly the backs of the rearmost molars. But this head is great for quickie between meal cleaning, and as a bonus is pretty good at brushing off my tongue.



This fits most of the current line of Braun brushes, but check your manual to be sure. Since EB17s usually run about $5 per head in 3-, 4-, and 6-packs, finding the EB417 about the same price is a relief. You really DO want to replace heads every few months, after the outer blue bristles fade half-way down.

Lansinoh 20265 Disposable Nursing Pads, 60-Count Boxes (Pack of 4) Review. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads offer effective, discreet protection from leakage. They have a special absorbent polymer and stay-dry lining to draw milk away and into the core of the pad, keeping the skin and clothing dry....

 "They haven't let me down yet!" 2010-02-06
By SSH (Washington, DC)

I've been using these pads for 10 months now and haven't had one leak! Even during times when I've leaked heavily, the pads have always held the milk in. They're fabulous! I definitely recommend buying them in bulk because they go quick when you wear them every day like I do.

 "Like the larger quantity" 2009-12-24
By Ging Ging (Lafayette, CA United States)

Looks like amazon is selling a box of 4 of these now instead of just three. This is an improvement since you go through these so fast anyways. I even use reusable pads regularly, but still end up using a ton of these! Bulk is good, better for the environment!

 "Best nursing pads ever!" 2009-12-25
By Hannah Baker (Kenosha, WI)

These are wonderful! They hold a lot of moisture without getting squishy like some other brands. They also have sdhesive on the back so you can stick them right to the inside of your bra (which is wonderful for those night feedings when you not paying attention to stuff like where you nursing pad is.) I occasionaly get stuck working an 8 hour shift, and I drive transit so there is no time to nurse or pump, and these pads last me all day! Awesome!

 "I've tried 'em all..." 2010-01-02
By M. Hudson

But these are the best. I've never leaked with them, and that's saying a lot! I don't use the adhesive on them, but that's my choice. These are soft and breathable, no plastic! I'm prone to thrush and these have never given me any issues. I'll never buy anything else.

 "Best pads!" 2010-01-30
By E. Miranda (Orange County, CA)

I tried all types of disposable nursing pads and these were the absolute best. They are thin and very comfortable. They also have the sticker on the back that keeps the pad in place (such a necessity, especially at night). The Lansinoh are more expensive than most of the brands, but they are totally worth it! I purchased through Amazon's subscription program and have really enjoyed the savings and the convenience of not having to drive to the store. Pay less and no effort = happy customer : )