If you bought a washing machine within the last few years, or have one that has no agitator, then you have a high efficiency (HE) washer. You might be wondering, “can I use regular detergent in an HE Washer?” The answer is very simple. No.
This can seem ridiculous or confusing for those of us who don’t often think of how our washing machines work— After all, soap is soap, right? Well, yes and no. We’ll go in-depth on frequently asked questions about HE washing detergent, including how HE machines work, the difference between regular laundry detergent and high efficiency, and more.
Can you use regular detergent in an HE washer? No. 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.
FAQ # What’s the Difference Between Regular & HE Detergent?
The difference between regular laundry detergent and high efficiency laundry detergent lies in the amount of suds it creates. Regular detergent will create much more suds than high efficiency detergent will, because the amount of water used in the wash and rinse cycles will get rid of them.
Detergent Details: “Can I Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer?” and Other FAQs
The reason why you can’t put regular detergent in an HE washer is mostly due to how the machine washes clothes. A high-efficiency washing machine is meant to conserve water by doing washes with as little water as needed. This is why they don’t have agitators and are often larger— to accommodate more clothes in fewer washes. So why does the kind of detergent matter?
Tide HE Turbo Detergent: How to Tell the Difference Between HE Detergent and Non-HE Detergent
FAQ
What happens if you use regular detergent in a HE washer?
What if I used the wrong detergent in my HE washer?
Does HE detergent really matter?
Can you use Tide in a high efficiency washer?
Can you use non he detergent in a washing machine?
This cleaning cycle removes excess soap residue and helps keep the machine free from odors. If you’ve been using non-HE detergent for an extended period, consider having a technician inspect the machine for damage or potential problems. Can You Use Regular Detergent in HE Washers?
What happens if you use a non he detergent?
Excessive bubbles and suds from a non-HE detergent can actually destroy the electronic capabilities of a high-efficiency washer, void the warranty, and cause excessive odors to build up. So, low-sudsing or HE detergents had to be introduced to the consumer market.
Can you use he detergent in a he washer?
Because they use less water, they can’t easily handle the suds produced by regular detergent, so all HE manufacturers recommend using only HE detergent in HE washers. You can, however, use HE detergent in both regular and HE washers. Here’s a closer look at HE washers and detergents. Why Use Only HE Detergent in HE Washers?
What happens if you put regular detergent in a he washer?
Using regular detergent in an HE washer could result in clothes that are still soapy or sudsy. Regular detergent residue in your washer can cause mold and odors that are hard to eliminate, and their use can also void the manufacturer’s warranty.