Detergents for High Efficiency Washing Machines

How They Work

• High efficiency detergents clean just as thoroughly as regular detergents but they are different in their composition in that high efficiency detergents do not create as many suds as traditional detergents. Excess suds in a high efficiency machine can interfere with tumbling and hamper the cleaning process.

Why Needed

• High efficiency detergents are formulated to work in low water volumes. They are also designed not to re-deposit soils and dyes onto clean laundry. Using only high efficiency products in a high efficiency machine also helps to keep the machine in proper working condition.

Cost and Availability

• The need for proper detergent has grown right along with the increased availability and awareness of high efficiency of high efficiency washing machines. Cost for high efficiency washing detergent is comparable to that of traditional washing detergent and made by the same manufacturers. High efficiency washing detergents are noted by the "HE" symbol on packaging.

  The American Cleaning Institute advises consumers to carefully check labels and avoid purchasing products that claim "HE compatible," as many of these products have the same sudsing action as regular washing detergents.

Other HE Products

• Along with high efficiency washing detergent, it is important to use high efficiency bleach and fabric softener as well. Pre-soakers for stains may be used, sparingly, because they tend to have a high-sudsing quality.