Liquid Vs. Powder HE Detergent for Front-Loading Washing Machines

Powdered Detergents

• HE powdered detergents are specially formulated to work with HE washing machines. Some detergent manufacturers, such as Tide, provide consumers with concentrated powder detergent choices. These detergents often come in a smaller box than what you may be used to seeing. However, this is because HE detergents are used in smaller quantities than non-HE detergents. What this means is that while the box may appear smaller, the number of loads you can wash balances out. You can wash the same number of loads with one box of HE detergent as you can with a non-HE detergent, as long as you follow the manufacturer's quantity and usage recommendations.

Liquid Detergents

• HE liquid detergents make the transition to operating an HE washer easy. Simply follow the detergent manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of liquid to add to the washer. In most cases, the cap on the bottle is used as a measuring instrument. Liquid HE detergents are just as efficacious at removing soil and dirt as their powdered counterparts. And, just as with powders, liquid detergents are specially formulated for use in HE washers only, so suds production is decreased without reducing cleaning effectiveness and performance.

Similarities

• Both powder and liquid HE detergents are specifically designed for use in HE washers. They will not perform well in non-HE washers and dryers. This is because the sudsing level will be off. On the other hand, if you use a non-HE detergent in an HE washer, whether it is liquid or powder, you will overload the machine with suds. Non-HE detergents "cushion" the fabrics inside the washer with suds. This means that if a non-HE detergent is used in an HE machine, the detergent will not be effective at removing soil, stains and dirt. Manufacturers make every attempt to provide consumers with all of the formulations they are accustomed to using, including products with fragrances, formulas designed for diapers, delicate care fabrics, color-safe formulas and products that include bleach and whiteners.

Differences

• The formulations and packaging are the only major differences between HE liquids and powders. Liquid HE detergents are formulated with a combination of dry and liquid ingredients, and the majority of the elements in powdered detergents are made with dry ingredients or liquids that have been dried and crystallized. Liquid HE detergents include more alcohol-based cleaning agents and ingredients, and powders contain more sodium-based cleaning agents and ingredients. You can identify whether a detergent is appropriate for use with a high-efficiency washer by looking for the "HE" symbol or logo on the package.