Since you only need a HE detergent if you have a HE washer, the first step is to check your machine. If it's a front-loader or a top-loader without an agitator in the middle of the drum, it's an HE washer by design. If you aren't sure what type of washer you have, look for the HE high-efficiency logo.
Regular detergent shouldn't be used in HE washers because it produces too many suds in low water levels. This can potentially lengthen the wash cycle, affect the cleaning performance or overflow the machine. High-efficiency washers work at peak performance with HE detergent.
HE detergent is a low-sudsing and quick-cleaning detergent designed for "high-efficiency" washing machines, such as front-load or top-load washers. These machines use less water and have a more powerful spin cycle than traditional washing machines.
Overall, high efficiency washers are highly recommended, but there are a few drawbacks. For starters, they cost more than regular washers. They also take longer to wash, and in most cases, they're larger than traditional washing machines.
High Efficiency (HE) laundry detergent is specially formulated for HE washing machines, which use less water than regular washers. You should never use regular detergent in an HE machine due to differences in how they suspend soils and dyes in water and the amount of suds generated.
When shopping for laundry detergent, look for the “HE” symbol on the container or packaging to ensure the detergent is made for your HE washer. The HE symbol is comprised of a lowercase “h” and “e” inside a circle.
Yes, HE washers really get clothes clean, but you'll need to do more maintenance to the machine and make sure you really understand the balance of detergent to be used so that cleaning efficiency is maximized.
Compared to normal top load washers, these HE bad boys use far less water while also extracting more water (thanks to its faster spin mechanism) so it takes less dry time and provides more savings to your wallet. HE top load washers come without an agitator so there's room for more laundry per load.
HE Washers Require HE Detergents.
HE compatible detergents like ARM & HAMMER™ plus OxiClean™ HE Compatible work in less water, so they're low-sudsing and quick-dispersing, and developed to suspend soils and dyes in low water volumes, preventing them from being redeposited on clothes.
ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean, Fresh Scent, Stain Removing High Efficiency (HE) Liquid Laundry Detergent.
Laundry detergent pods work best in standard top load washers and high-efficiency top-loading and front-loading washers. Washers with automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensers don't mix well with pods.
Yes, you can use detergent sheets in any washing machine, including front-loading, top-loading, and HE models. They are greywater and septic-safe and work well in cold, warm, and hot water. Many customers also use them to hand wash clothes.
What Should I Do if I Used the Wrong Detergent? If you notice that you accidentally used regular detergent in HE washer, the first thing you should do is cancel the wash. Then, start it again, but only at the spin cycle. Next, follow up with a cycle that is rinse and spin only, in order to remove the suds.
By producing fewer suds and dispersing dirt and dyes quickly, soils typically won't redeposit on clothes. Like cars that run best on their recommended fuel grade, if you want optimal performance from your HE washer, then you should use HE detergent.
In addition to trapping dirt and building up over time, using too much laundry detergent can cause numerous problems for your clothes. As detergent builds up, it can leave behind an invisible layer of film that can trap dirt and hard water minerals, giving clothes a dingy or faded appearance.
Since you only need a HE detergent if you have a HE washer, the first step is to check your machine. If it's a front-loader or a top-loader without an agitator in the middle of the drum, it's an HE washer by design. If you aren't sure what type of washer you have, look for the HE high-efficiency logo.
As the washer fills with water, add 3 or 4 cups of white vinegar. Let the washer start to agitate, then stop the cycle. Allow the vinegar to soak a minute. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and turn on the agitator again.
Not all top load washers earn the HE designation, so the best high-efficiency top load washer will use less energy than a traditional top load washer. Portable washers are also available as HE models. These washers are ideal for small spaces, apartments, individuals or two-person households.
Wash towels separately from the rest of your laundry. If your towels aren't cotton, avoid temperatures higher than 40°. *if you don't have a cotton program on your machine, use the 'White/Colors' cycle.
Just as with a regular washer, you should use the amount of Tide HE Turbo Clean recommended on the pack based on the size of your load. Because Tide HE Turbo Clean is specially formulated for HE washers, you don't have to worry about over-sudsing in your machine.
America's favorite detergent, Tide, has every laundry detergent you need - whether it's HE detergent or Tide PODS® with Febreze. For over 75 years, we have been committed to changing the way laundry is done while always delivering the hardest working laundry detergents.
Using regular detergent in your HE washing machine will produce more suds and lead the machine to a longer rinse cycle that uses more water, therefore canceling the benefits of the HE washer. It can also lead to a smelly washer and dirty clothes from leftover suds residue.
Lucky for you, many of Tide's detergents are HE compatible: In addition to lifting soils off from clothes and preventing them from redepositing on the garments, they're also formulated to control and reduce sudsing, saving you time, water, and energy.