High Efficiency Washing Machine Detergent: What to Use and How
High Efficiency Washing Machine Detergent: What to Use and How
You bought a high efficiency (HE) washing machine to save water and energy. But you’re still using your old detergent and your clothes aren’t coming out clean. There’s a white residue on your dark shirts and the machine has a sour smell. The problem is your detergent. HE machines use less water than traditional machines, so they need a special detergent that produces fewer suds and rinses cleanly. Regular detergent creates too many suds in an HE machine, which confuses the sensors, leaves residue, and causes odors. Here’s how to choose and use the right HE detergent.
High efficiency (HE) washing machine detergent is a low-sudsing detergent formulated for HE machines that use less water than traditional machines. HE detergent produces fewer suds and disperses quickly in low water levels. Using regular detergent in an HE machine causes oversudsing, residue, and odors.
To use HE detergent, choose a detergent with the HE symbol on the label, use 2 tablespoons per normal load, select the right cycle and temperature, and don’t use fabric softener. Clean your HE machine monthly with affresh to prevent residue and odors.
What Is HE Detergent?
HE detergent is formulated for high efficiency washing machines. HE machines use 20 to 66% less water than traditional machines. The detergent is designed to work in low water levels.
Key differences from regular detergent:
- Fewer suds: HE detergent produces fewer suds, which is important because HE machines don’t have enough water to rinse away heavy suds.
- Faster dispersion: HE detergent disperses quickly in low water levels.
- Cleaner rinse: HE detergent rinses more completely, leaving less residue.
- HE symbol: Look for the HE symbol on the label. It’s a small circle with “HE” inside.
What Happens If You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Machine?
Oversudsing: Regular detergent produces too many suds in the low water of an HE machine. The suds confuse the machine’s sensors and can cause the machine to add extra rinse cycles, which wastes water.
Residue: Heavy suds don’t rinse out completely. The residue coats the drum, dispenser, and rubber seal, feeding mold and causing odors.
Poor cleaning: Excess suds cushion clothes and prevent them from rubbing against each other, which is how they get clean. Clothes come out less clean.
Machine damage: Over time, excess suds can damage the machine’s pump and sensors.
How to Choose HE Detergent
Liquid vs. Powder vs. Pods
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Easy to measure, good for pre-treating | Can leave residue if overused |
| Powder | Dissolves well in warm water | Can clump in cold water |
| Pods | Convenient, pre-measured | Can’t adjust for load size, expensive |
Recommended HE Detergents
Best overall: Tide Free and Gentle is an HE detergent that’s fragrance free, enzyme-powered, and rinses cleanly.
For odors: Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash cycle with your HE detergent.
For stains: Pre-treat with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for oil, OxiClean Max Force Spray for food, or Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for grease.
How Much HE Detergent to Use
The most common mistake is using too much detergent. The lines on the detergent cap are 3 to 5 times larger than needed.
| Load Size | Detergent Amount |
|---|---|
| Small load | 1 tablespoon |
| Normal load | 2 tablespoons |
| Large load | 3 tablespoons |
| Heavily soiled | 3 tablespoons + pre-treat stains |
Tips for Using HE Detergent
Use less than you think. 2 tablespoons is enough for a normal load. Using more leaves residue and causes odors.
Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener coats the drum and dispenser with waxy residue. Use half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead.
Clean the machine monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to remove residue and prevent odors.
Leave the door open. HE machines trap moisture. Leave the door open between washes to let the drum dry.
Use the right cycle. HE machines have multiple cycles. Choose the right one for each load.
Don’t overload. Fill the drum no more than three-quarters full. Clothes need room to move.
FAQ
What is HE detergent? HE (high efficiency) detergent is a low-sudsing detergent formulated for HE washing machines that use less water. It produces fewer suds, disperses quickly in low water, and rinses cleanly. Look for the HE symbol on the label.
Can you use regular detergent in an HE washing machine? No. Regular detergent produces too many suds in the low water of an HE machine. This causes oversudsing, residue, odors, and poor cleaning. Always use HE detergent in an HE machine.
How much HE detergent should you use? 2 tablespoons for a normal load. 1 tablespoon for a small load. 3 tablespoons for a large or heavily soiled load. The lines on the detergent cap are 3 to 5 times larger than needed.
What happens if you use too much HE detergent? Excess detergent leaves residue on clothes and in the machine, feeds mold, causes odors, and reduces cleaning effectiveness. Use 2 tablespoons per normal load.
Can you use pods in an HE washing machine? Yes, if they’re HE pods. Pods are convenient and pre-measured, but you can’t adjust the amount for load size. If you have a small load, liquid detergent is more flexible.
References
- Tide. “HE Detergent Guide.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “What Is HE Detergent?” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “HE Detergent Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- American Cleaning Institute. “HE Detergent Facts.” cleaninginstitute.org.
