Challenge Soaps and Detergents

A blog about a brand that loves and cares for your clothes as much as you'd love to care for them!! We love white.. and remember, white includes al colors too!! http://www.challengesoap.com

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The Auxiliary Awesomeness - Dishwash Bars

While food, clothing and shelter have remained the basic needs of human beings; there have been auxiliary needs that have risen around the basic needs! We have established perfection around these auxiliary needs, and the need to better that perfection only increases as we become more and more civilized, or uncivilized!

One of those sidekicks that evolved with food is the need for dishes, and consequently, soaps and detergents to clean them! With the likelihood of diseases and the endurance of germs increasing, it becomes progressively difficult to formulate soaps and detergents for dishes that are heavy on the dirt and germs, and light on the skin and vessels.

Challenge Soaps and Detergents, with pride, brings you the best soaps and detergents for your dishes. We have brought out the perfect dishwash bar and powder that will make your utensils sparkle with shine, and your smile sparkle with joy!!

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The History of Detergents

Not long before in the history of mankind, detergents were unheard of. All what the then-civilized gentlemen and ladies needed was just a wash with water…and nothing more!

As we grew up, and a lots of things like Industrial Revolution and World Wars kicked in, the demand for soaps and detergents started to increase, not just in terms of volume, but also in terms of the intensity of the dirt and stains that they fought.

Therefore, the detergent or the detergent soap had not only to be an effective wash-chemical but also an effective stain-remover! This mandated the washing powder formula to be something entirely different than what it classically was!

Just like many other technologies that we take for granted, this was, again a contribution from Germany. Infusing a very different set of cleaning chemicals, Otto Rohm of theRohm and Haas fame, introduced the first ever-modern detergent and soaps for clothes.

In that legacy, Challenge Soaps and Detergents is committed to manufacturing detergents that are tough and foolproof traditionally, and we make it using the best technology possible for manufacturing synthetic detergents!

With this commitment, you can be assured the best soaps and the best detergents get to your hands every time you casually by a pack of challenge soap or detergent.

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How to Remove Blood-Stains Challenge Helps

Blood stains are really a pain – be it the causative of it, or be it removing it! Removing blood stains, if not done properly, might irreversibly damage the clothes, rendering the most awesome-looking dresses awful and unwearable.

We do not like things that way (not that anybody would, but Challenge Soaps take a special pride and care in clothes) – which is why we have come up with this solid method on how to remove blood-stains from your clothes.

A dried blood stain on your fabric can still be removed. There are different removal methods to use but make sure to use a method fitted for the type of fabric you have. You wouldn’t want to cause damage to your fabric. And whatever method you use, make sure to pretest the solution you are going to use on a hidden spot on the fabric. The removal methods suggested below are for washable fabrics.

This one of the simplest of all methods: Any soap can be used, but (as you might have guessed) we’d recommend using Challenge Soaps and Detergent Bars, because it gives a stiffer, less slippery lather than soaps containing skin moisturisers. The key to success is a combination of technique and patience in rubbing the fabric against itself between one’s hands. This method is especially suited to stains on natural fibres such as linen and cotton, which are often the most difficult to clean. If used on fabrics vulnerable to the phenomenon known as bobbling/pilling, such as wool and the majority of artificial fibres, a much gentler rubbing technique should be employed.

Flush the stain with cold water to remove any loosely attached elements of the stain.

   Rub laundry soap into the stain generously, until a thick, creamy lather is produced.

  Roll or scrunch up an area of fabric surrounding the stain in each hand to provide a good grip on the area where the stain itself is located.

  Align the stain carefully to rub it against itself rather than against your skin, in order to reduce the chance of skin abrasion or blisters whilst yet maximising friction on the stain. Gloves may be worn to protect the skin, in which case tight-fitting surgical gloves will provide the least hindrance to grip and dexterity.

  By rubbing with strong force and good speed, the friction you generate will slowly loosen the remaining particles of blood, and the lather will carry them in suspension to prevent them from re-adhering to the fabric.

  Periodically flush the stain with fresh water and re-apply the soap as you work, to ensure that the area is always thoroughly wetted and soapy.

  Each small area that it is possible to work upon at one time may take from five to ten minutes to be cleared of traces of blood, depending on the rubbing technique and experience of the practitioner.

  Next time you have a blood-stain, don’t think about the pain of washing them…Ever again!! Challenge Soaps has now given the solution on how to remove blood stains!

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The Food Fad...ForEver!!

We have evolved, and we have grown to be civilized...but the need for food has never stopped, or hasn't evolved - we have never evolved with that feeling. When we are hungry, we want to eat - period! This feeling has been beautifully captured in the song by Ilayaraja “பசிக்கிது பசிக்கிது தெனம் தெனம்தான்!! தின்னா பசியேதும் தீர்ந்திடுதா!!!”

  While the need for food has not evolved much, the way we take care of food has evolved a lot! Humans have come to realize the importance of mouth-care. So much importance has been given to oral-care that it has been used as a factor to woo women into falling in love with men!!

  We at Challenge Soaps and detergents have also realized the importance of oral-care, and the need for it as much as the ‘quality’ of hunger has evolved, and which is why we have incepted a toothpaste that will take care of your mouth and teeth!

  After all, fresh breath and white teeth are important, not only for the the attraction-quotient, but also from a health point of view. Bringing in the rich traditions of herbal awesomeness and collaborating with the latest production-techniques, we at Challenge Soaps and Detergents make sure that our customers get the best!! Challenge Soaps is proud to upkeep the tradition of ‘Siddha’ medicine in our toothpaste!

  With our detergent-care products, we have given you a reason to smile! With our oral-care products, we also like to strive to make that smile more beautiful! KEEP SMILING!!!

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How to Remove Ink Stains - Challenge Helps

The first thing to know about ink stains is that they fall into a few different categories. Water-based ink stains are easier to remove. These are usually inks like washable markers. Permanent ink stains can be a nightmare to remove. These include most permanent highlighters and markers. Ballpoint ink can be tricky to remove, but responds well to treatment – sounds like taking over England’s bowling attack!

Water-Based Ink Stains

  Lay the stained clothing on top of a clean dry towel or cloth. Apply water to the stained area and blot with another clean cloth. While you blot, the stain will begin to transfer onto the cleaning cloth. Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent onto the ink stain and allow the fabric to sit for between 3-5 minutes.

  Using the hottest water recommend for the fabric type, wash normally.

Before drying, check to make sure the entire stain was removed. If any trace of the stained area remains, repeat the steps above. Drying the stained area before everything is removed will make it nearly impossible to remove later.

Permanent Ink Stains

  Permanent ink is a very difficult stain to remove. If the fabric can be bleached, there might be a shot at removing the ink. Other than that, the following tips may help to at least fade the stain.

The first suggested step is to try rubbing alcohol. Grab a clean white towel and put the stained item on top. I always recommend testing any solution on a hidden seam of the fabric. After testing, blot the stained are with rubbing alcohol. The towel underneath may start to be wet and discolored from the ink leaching out. Try moving the garment to a clean dry section of the towel as this happens to keep from picking back up any of the removed ink. Continue until no more can be removed. Make sure you rinse the stained area completely free of the rubbing alcohol. Rinsing multiple times may be necessary.

My next suggestion, if rubbing alcohol does not work, is to try fingernail polish remover. Be warned that this stuff is heavy duty. There is a chance that it will damage the fabric. Be sure to test what happens on an inner seam or a hidden area of the clothing. Blot in the same way as you did with the rubbing alcohol. Be sure to move the stained area to a clean dry section of a towel as the ink stain is removed. Don't forget to rinse the rubbing alcohol completely from the fabric.

As a last resort, you can try acetone, although this can destroy a lot of fabric types. Do not use acetone on acetate and rayon fabrics. Always test first on a hidden seam. Place the stained fabric on a clean dry cloth and blot with acetone. Don't forget to thoroughly rinse the acetone from the fabric.

Ballpoint Ink Stains

  If water-based stains are easy to remove and permanent ink stains are nearly impossible, ballpoint stains fall right in the middle. Just like in the examples above, start by laying your stained fabric on top of a clean dry cloth. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink stain. Begin blotting with a clean cloth. Continue until no ink stain remains. Rinse the clothing thoroughly. Now apply normal liquid laundry detergent onto the area and let it sit for between 3-5 minutes. Wash in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric.

  If rubbing alcohol doesn't work, try nail polish remover, following the same instructions above. Be sure to rinse the fabric completely between using rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover. These items shouldn't be mixed.

Before drying, make sure the stain is completely gone. If it is not, repeat the previous steps until the stain is removed, or you decided to call it quits.

Yeah! We know the above processes have got nothing to do with Challenge Soaps, Detergents or the products we’ve got! So what? Our commitment to safeguarding your clothes is more than that of safeguarding our business interests.

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Garment Care Tips

Most of the time, damage to clothing can be attributed the way we use it.  Try these tips below and do your part in preserving your fine garments:

  Always apply lotions, makeup and hair spray before you put on your clothing. The alcohol and other chemicals present can cause damage to your garment.

  Toothpaste can contain bleaches that can remove color from your garments. Even a small amount of toothpaste can cause coloration on your garment to be permanently damaged.

  Garments that are worn directly against your skin such as dress shirts and blouses should be cleaned each time you wear them. After repeated use, soil and stains become much harder to remove and often become permanent.

  Never, ever, rub a stain! Rubbing can cause damage to the fiber and permanent discoloration to the affected area.

  Identify stains as oily or water-based, and never allow anyone to use water or club soda to attempt removal of a stain, no matter what the circumstances.

Be extremely careful when wearing fine delicate fabrics such as silk. Purses, jewelry or even coarse-textured coats can easily rip off strands of your favorite garment.

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The Importance of being White!!

Relax! The post has got nothing to do with racism. And it is such an irony that this post comes on the birthday of the great leader Nelson Mandela!

  While we have nothing in particular about any color, we have to give in to the fact that when it comes to clothes, the white ones are more preferred to any other color or shade! As in one of the comedies by Chinna Kalaivanar Vivek, it’s not for no reason that the doctors, advocates, political stalwarts, greats like AVM brothers and even SuperStar Rajinikanth prefer white in their public appearances.

  While white clothes are preferred over many other colors, it is an irony that what, in itself has many colors. While some of it is intentional, others are surely not. This not-so-white white negates the effect of any good impacts that white might have.

  “Wearing white is like sending a rocket - either you do it perfectly, or not do it all.”

  We at Challenge Soaps and Detergents believe in bringing the best of white using the best quality detergents using advanced formulations and latest technology - all for the whiteness of your clothes. With Challenge Detergent, you can expect elegance without a compromise on economy.

  So the next time you sport a white, ask how white is the white, and remember, with us around, there are always solutions - ultimate whitening solutions for your clothes, and in turn your personalities.

[challenge-soaps]

How to Remove Ink Stains? – Challenge Helps

The first thing to know about ink stains is that they fall into a few different categories. Water-based ink stains are easier to remove. These are usually inks like washable markers. Permanent ink stains can be a nightmare to remove. These include most permanent highlighters and markers. Ballpoint ink can be tricky to remove, but responds well to treatment – sounds like taking over England’s bowling attack!

Water-Based Ink Stains

  Lay the stained clothing on top of a clean dry towel or cloth. Apply water to the stained area and blot with another clean cloth. While you blot, the stain will begin to transfer onto the cleaning cloth. Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent onto the ink stain and allow the fabric to sit for between 3-5 minutes.

  Using the hottest water recommend for the fabric type, wash normally.

Before drying, check to make sure the entire stain was removed. If any trace of the stained area remains, repeat the steps above. Drying the stained area before everything is removed will make it nearly impossible to remove later.

Permanent Ink Stains

  Permanent ink is a very difficult stain to remove. If the fabric can be bleached, there might be a shot at removing the ink. Other than that, the following tips may help to at least fade the stain.

The first suggested step is to try rubbing alcohol. Grab a clean white towel and put the stained item on top. I always recommend testing any solution on a hidden seam of the fabric. After testing, blot the stained are with rubbing alcohol. The towel underneath may start to be wet and discolored from the ink leaching out. Try moving the garment to a clean dry section of the towel as this happens to keep from picking back up any of the removed ink. Continue until no more can be removed. Make sure you rinse the stained area completely free of the rubbing alcohol. Rinsing multiple times may be necessary.

My next suggestion, if rubbing alcohol does not work, is to try fingernail polish remover. Be warned that this stuff is heavy duty. There is a chance that it will damage the fabric. Be sure to test what happens on an inner seam or a hidden area of the clothing. Blot in the same way as you did with the rubbing alcohol. Be sure to move the stained area to a clean dry section of a towel as the ink stain is removed. Don't forget to rinse the rubbing alcohol completely from the fabric.

As a last resort, you can try acetone, although this can destroy a lot of fabric types. Do not use acetone on acetate and rayon fabrics. Always test first on a hidden seam. Place the stained fabric on a clean dry cloth and blot with acetone. Don't forget to thoroughly rinse the acetone from the fabric.

Ballpoint Ink Stains

  If water-based stains are easy to remove and permanent ink stains are nearly impossible, ballpoint stains fall right in the middle. Just like in the examples above, start by laying your stained fabric on top of a clean dry cloth. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink stain. Begin blotting with a clean cloth. Continue until no ink stain remains. Rinse the clothing thoroughly. Now apply normal liquid laundry detergent onto the area and let it sit for between 3-5 minutes. Wash in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric.

  If rubbing alcohol doesn't work, try nail polish remover, following the same instructions above. Be sure to rinse the fabric completely between using rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover. These items shouldn't be mixed.

Before drying, make sure the stain is completely gone. If it is not, repeat the previous steps until the stain is removed, or you decided to call it quits.

Yeah! We know the above processes have got nothing to do with Challenge Soaps, Detergents or the products we’ve got! So what? Our commitment to safeguarding your clothes is more than that of safeguarding our business interests. 

[challenge-soaps]

The Riot of Colors - The Kollywood Way

There is this song called “Pachai Nirame Pachai Nirame” from a cult-classic from the Tamil Industry called Alaipayuthe. This song is an evergreen favourite - the lyrics, the music, the chemistry of the stars, the picturization..almost everything in the song is perfect that no one would be able to hate this song.

And we at Challenge Soaps and Detergents are not an exception to this ‘liking’, and more than these superficial factors (according to us), it also talks about the essence of a couple of things that we deal with as a part and parcel of our everyday life - white, colors, love and the lovely ladies!!

  The song inspires any person who’s listening to it into enjoying and getting the complete essence of what colors would mean!!! While we respect all colors, we have a special liking for the part that talks about the awesomeness of White. The lyrics talk about white being the color of the eye and the color of a pure heart.

We at Challenge Soaps and Detergents, also would like to take this time to tell y’all that our passion for pure white is one of the things that drives us to make good products, and we would never go back on our stance for white!!! And now….all we would like to say is, listen to this song and enjoy it...and remember us!! ;)

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What’s in a name??

This is a question all brands perennially face – be it centuries old one, or be it a startup founded day before yesterday.

  When ours is a brand that 20 years strong in the industry, we do have a story, or rather, a history behind a simple name – Challenge!

  The word is not as simple as it sounds to be. It’s got much more to it than the sound – there’s a deep profundity in the name.

  When we incepted the name, what we had in mind was the issues that women of the day faced – those were the days when washing machines were a luxury, and women were given the default responsibility to wash clothes. And the ‘salavaikkal’ was a default setup in each home.

  Those were the days when white shirts were as common as denims are today, which would mean that they were more susceptible to dirt and stains. The only thing that hasn’t changed much is the temperature. The sun commanded the same extent of sweat it does today!

  What we wanted to give was a bliss to the challenged women when it comes to challenging the glitches the clothes might suffer! It was a challenge for us to create the perfect soap and detergent, but we did overcome that challenge!!

  And when there’s so much of it, we just thought we might as well make it our name and our banner!! And the rest, they say, is history!!! J

  On a lighter note, we did invent Facebook Like, long before it was cool!! 

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We Love White

Here’s a small poem by John Mathew.

Thank you John, for echoing our thoughts and putting them into beautiful words!!

White, pristine, unblemished

They say it is not a color

I love white mists, clouds

Lingering on blue mountains.

  White, no shades

No off white, cream

Pure as snow on shimmering peaks

Is my favorite sight.

  Nurses, priests, politicians

Are bound, chained to white

White nebulous clouds

evoke deep nostalgic thoughts.

  They swaddled my father in white

As he lay in the black coffin

His best shirt was white

His loin cloth was white.

  The paper I write is white

White is holy, pure

They say light is white

Because it combines all colors.

  So white is the mother of all colors

The churning of all yellow, blue, green

Colors sacrifice their egos

To the eternal white.

[challenge-soaps]

The Importance of being white!!

Relax! The post has got nothing to do with racism. However, we have to give in to the fact that when it comes to clothes, the white ones are more preferred to any other color or shade! As in one of the comedies by Chinna Kalaivanar Vivek, it’s not for no reason that the doctors, advocates, political stalwarts, greats like AVM brothers and even SuperStar Rajinikanth prefer white in their public appearances.

While white clothes are preferred over many other colors, it is an irony that white, in itself has many colors. While some of it is intentional, others are surely not. This not-so-white white negates the effect of any good impacts that white might have.

“Wearing white is like sending a rocket - either you do it perfectly, or not do it all.”

We at Challenge believe in bringing the best of white using the best quality detergents using advanced formulations and latest technology - all for the whiteness of your clothes. With Challenge Detergent, you can expect elegance without a compromise on economy.

So the next time you sport a white, ask how white is the white, and remember, with us around, there are always solutions - ultimate whitening solutions for your clothes, and in turn your personalities.

[challenge-soaps]

The Kick of Vibrant Colors

This is that part of the time when fans all over the world lose their minds, and fans in India lose their sleep and minds!

Yes!! It’s time of the FIFA World Cup 2014!! With 32 countries competing for the cup, the words like “jersey,” “Goal,” and “penalty” will be frequently heard in the news these days. Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain and Portugal will become famous countries as opposed to India and Australia!

Names like Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar will become more common these days. Facebook will be flooded with statuses related to football!!

And the whole world goes crazy!!

One of the most distinguishing features of this Football (soccer to the Americans) is the vibrant color of the Jerseys that the players wear!!! This is one area where we at Challenge Soap can identify with.

Come to think of it, colors are the identity of the team – it gives an individual a sign of affiliation. Hence, it’s important to safeguard your color and your identity.

We at Challenge Soaps are committed to creating and crafting detergents, both as powders and detergent cakes that takes care to kick off the dirt and defend the colors so that you do not have to suffer the penalties of poor dressing, and this, we believe, will surely help you achieve your goals!!!

 This is that part of the time when fans all over the world lose their minds, and fans in India lose their sleep and minds!

Yes!! It’s time of the FIFA World Cup 2014!! With 32 countries competing for the cup, the words like “jersey,” “Goal,” and “penalty” will be frequently heard in the news these days. Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain and Portugal will become famous countries as opposed to India and Australia!

Names like Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar will become more common these days. Facebook will be flooded with statuses related to football!!

And the whole world goes crazy!!

One of the most distinguishing features of this Football (soccer to the Americans) is the vibrant color of the Jerseys that the players wear!!! This is one area where we at Challenge Soap can identify with.

Come to think of it, colors are the identity of the team – it gives an individual a sign of affiliation. Hence, it’s important to safeguard your color and your identity.

We at Challenge Soaps are committed to creating and crafting detergents, both as powders and detergent cakes that takes care to kick off the dirt and defend the colors so that you do not have to suffer the penalties of poor dressing, and this, we believe, will surely help you achieve your goals!!!

[challenge-soaps]

White Spells Unity

The title alone covers what needs to be stated? Well… Yes! Looking at History throughout, it’s been white that unified people! Let’s take a few things.

The Church – it was seen as the single largest unifying force after the disintegration of the Roman Empire. The clergy, primary clad in white, was one of the reasons we have something called ‘Europe’ today. They managed to pull together, in the name of God, all the separated Empires…back in the days when there was no Germany but Prussia and Bavaria, and there was no France but the Kingdom of the Gauls, and when Austria was more powerful than what it is today.

It was the white attire that paved way for the modern Europe, and the Modern World at large.

Now let’s look at something very close to our heart – the Indian Freedom Struggle. Unlike the lavishly clad whites of Europe, there was one man who decided to go minimalist on White – Mahatma Gandhi. Unifying a country that was, a few decades before, thought to be an epitome of diversity is no ordinary task. With a band of men in white, he led a movement across the country that was powerful enough to overthrow the most powerful Empire of the time.

Yes…He proved that the red of the bloodshed was nothing in comparison to the white of peace and non-violence.

And last, here’s one that’s close to our times – it’s about probably the largest religion in India, called Cricket. We recently had a time when we saw the future-legends like Gambhir, Kohli, Ashwin and Sharma take on each other – in colors. And it’s just a matter of a few days before they sport a white and take on the team against which our Mahatma struggled, albeit with a spirit of sportsmanship!

What was once divided by colors will now unite them all in the purest form of the game, and all our states to cheer for Team India as one!

Time and again since time immemorial, White has been the revolution…and we remember that every time we churn out a detergent powder or a cake from the house of Challenge, it might make someone’s cloth pure white…we never know who is the next Gandhi in the making.

…and every time you sport a white, remember you are wearing a revolution!!