High Efficiency (HE) Washers and Detergents
Sharon Stevens, Former Assistant Coordinator, Missouri Textile and Apparel Center,
College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia


The Soap and Detergent Association recommends that the new High Efficiency detergents be used with the new HE washers. Many new washing machines load from the front, rather than the top, and utilize a tumbler system rather than an agitator system. The laundry sits in shallow pool of water and the washtub rotates clockwise, then counter clockwise. This tumbles the load back and forth so that the water moves through each item, removing the soil. Other types of HE washers are top loading and use other water-saving systems. Benefits of the HE washing machines include water savings, energy savings, efficient cleaning and gentle handling of fabrics.

New detergents have been formulated for optimum cleaning in these new HE washers. Since tumble action creates more suds than agitator action, detergents must be low foaming, while still able to clean the same amount of clothes and soil. They also need to dissolve easily, distribute evenly and prevent eh redeposit of soil and dye onto clothes.

To locate a source for HE detergents, use the toll-free number on the packaged detergent that comes with the washer or check the washer use and care guide. If HE detergents aren't readily available in your area, it's possible to use a regular detergent. To prevent oversudsing, it may be necessary to use less than the generally recommended amount. To compensate for this, employ good laundry practices. Pretreat all stains and sort loads by color (whites, pastels and medium colors, brights and darks) and by amount of soil (light, and heavy). It is also a good idea to reduce the number of item in the load which will help improve cleaning, especially for heavily-soiled garments.

References: Cleanliness Facts, May/June 2003