What Is HE Laundry Detergent and Do Really You Need It? Here's What to Know (original) (raw)

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. HE laundry detergent is marked with a small "HE" symbol on the product's label. Washer manufacturers recommend only using HE detergents in high-efficiency washers.

Read on to learn what makes this detergent best suited for these washers and the best types to use for various machines.

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Any laundry detergent or product, such as stain removers, boosters, and fabric softeners, with the HE symbol, is formulated for use in high-efficiency and low-water washing machines.

High-efficiency washers use only 20 to 60 percent of the water used by traditional machines—about 11 to 14 gallons. HE detergents are specially formulated to hold soil in suspension in a lower volume of water so that it is not redeposited onto clean clothes.

Before HE washers, standard washers used nearly 40 gallons of water during a load of laundry. Traditional detergent produces lots of suds, which require an equally large amount of water to wash away.

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Tip

The best way to know what detergent is recommended for your new washer is to read the product manual. Heed the manufacturer's recommendations to keep your washing machine working longer.

What Happens If You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer?

You can use high-efficiency detergent in a regular washing machine, but never use regular laundry detergent in a washing machine marked with a HE symbol; it requires high-efficiency detergent.

HE detergents are concentrated, low-sudsing, and made for high-efficiency washers that only use a small amount of water and cannot correctly rinse away the suds produced by standard detergent.

If you use a traditional laundry detergent in a high-efficiency washer, the excess suds interfere with the tumbling action used to clean clothes in both front- and top-load HE washers. Traditional detergents in HE washers can also become a breeding ground for smelly, unsanitary mold due to the sticky residue left by excess suds and soil.

Warning

Excess suds from a non-HE detergent can cause the washer to leak, damage its electronic system, and void the manufacturer's warranty.

Illustration: © The Spruce, 2018

Can You Use HE Detergent in a Standard Washer?

If you have a traditional washer and a bottle of HE detergent, you can use the detergent. You won't see many suds, but your clothes will get clean. For a normal to large load, use no more than 1/4 cup HE laundry detergent in a standard washer.

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Can You Use HE Detergent in a Hybrid Washer?

You can use HE detergent in a hybrid washing machine, which is a top-load machine with auto-sensing water levels and without the traditional top-load agitator. Hybrid washing machines can provide a cleaner wash for bulky items and large bedding, giving you the best of both worlds—traditional and high-efficiency laundry.

When using HE detergent in a hybrid washer, use the recommended amount for an HE machine. Like the use of HE detergent in a traditional machine, you'll see fewer suds, but you'll still have clean clothes.

Tips for Using HE Detergent

If your high-efficiency detergent isn't cleaning well, don't just add more detergent. Too much detergent produces stiff and scratchy fabrics, odors, and streaks. Instead, try using a better-quality detergent. Here are some other guidelines:

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija