Do I have to use HE detergent in my new front-loader?

November 9, 2008 3:48 PM

Do I really have to use "HE" detergent in our new front-loader?

We got an awesome new front-loading, high-efficiency washer/dryer. The book says we have to use detergent with the "HE" (high efficiency) label. Something to do with the amount of suds it produces, I think.

But not only are there fewer options with the HE label - and of course, they're a little bit more expensive - we can't find baby detergent (Dreft, Ivory Snow, etc.) in HE.

Does anyone here have experience using regular detergent in an HE, front-loading washer? And, I suppose secondarily, do you see any benefit from using Dreft/Ivory Snow for baby clothes, or do you just wash them with your other stuff?

posted by jbickers to Home & Garden (21 answers total)

Best answer: We said "pshaw" and used regular soap in our front loader soon after getting it. The machine got gummed up, and we had to call the Sears people out to fix it. He said it was the detergent. We've since stuck to the HE and had no further problems.
posted by jamesonandwater at 3:54 PM on November 9, 2008

In a lot of the parenting and pregnancy forums I'm in, people are really anti-Dreft. They argue that "free" detergents should work just as well, if not better. Of course I read this after I bought 3 things of the very expensive Seventh Generation baby detergent. Here's a recent discussion on this topic. I also have sensitive skin, so we always use "free" detergents.

My concern with mixing baby and adult stuff is that our adult dirt might contain things that baby shouldn't be exposed too. Of course I can't actually think of what that might be. It is probably a huge waste of water and time though. I'd be curious to hear what other people do.
posted by k8t at 3:55 PM on November 9, 2008

We've used regular detergent (Era Plus) in our front loader for six years now with no problems. We do use less than the full amount, but clothes come out perfectly clean. I'd say we use 3/4 the regular amount.
posted by advicepig at 4:03 PM on November 9, 2008

I think the extra cost of HE is offset by the smaller quantity of detergent required. And non HE creates so much suds.
posted by JayRwv at 4:09 PM on November 9, 2008

I have a front-loader in my tenant's flat. I used the machine myself for two years without any problems (using HE). After specifically telling them they needed to use HE stuff and that there were dire warnings in the manual about using anything else, they went ahead and used the regular stuff. Not too long after we had to call for repairs because it was leaking. After taking a look the repair guy turned to me and said, "So.. you're using regular detergent, huh? I can tell."
Apparently the regular detergent was gumming things up. After cleaning it out and replacing a part, we had to run it several times (empty) with hot water. They've used HE detergent ever since and we've had no further problems. And yeah, they paid for the repair.

Here's a article about why front loaders need HE detergent from ezine.
posted by trixare4kids at 4:15 PM on November 9, 2008

I used Dreft in my front loader, just used half as much. Didn't have a problem.
posted by pearlybob at 4:37 PM on November 9, 2008

We've used regular detergents in our front loading, ass-kicking LG for about 5 years now. I've always used less than the recommended amount, so when we got the LG, I scaled back even further. I have clean, good smelling clothes and no problems with the machine. Honestly, when we got our machine, I couldn't even find the suggested detergent in my hometown!
posted by Richat at 5:14 PM on November 9, 2008

We have a baby and a front-loader; we use Tide Free HE. What possible benefit does a "baby detergent" offer over any regular unscented variety?

We had some appliance hassles and the repair dudes actually inspected the shelf above my washer and stood there saying "Well, she does use the HE, so it's not the [mutter mutter]..." I assume it to be a big deal. I have on occasion thrown in minute amounts of Woolite or Eucalan when washing one sweater, no problems, but that's it for non-HE.
posted by kmennie at 5:24 PM on November 9, 2008

Best answer: We have a front loader and use HE soap... the cost, here, is the same as the regular detergent. For that reason alone, I don't bother with non-HE versions.

As far as soap for babies - with a couple of sensitive-skinned kids (moreso than just the norm fresh, new delicate baby skin) I had the best luck with the '-free' soaps. Anything baby-specific usually smelled and just didn't help their skin.
posted by Incognita at 5:56 PM on November 9, 2008

My concern with mixing baby and adult stuff is that our adult dirt might contain things that baby shouldn't be exposed too. Of course I can't actually think of what that might be. It is probably a huge waste of water and time though.

mmmhmmm.

Unless you are cleaning toxic waste, significant allergens and chemicals throughout the day and/or your child lives in a bubble... aren't you living and breathing the same world?

Keep your kids safe but don't inhibit their ability to develop their immune system by keeping "dirt" away from them.
posted by FlamingBore at 5:56 PM on November 9, 2008

Best answer: FWIW, the nurses in the NICU specifically told us to not buy special baby detergents and just keep using regular detergent for our babies' clothes, unless they start showing an allergic reaction, at which point we could switch in order to determine the culprit.
posted by puritycontrol at 6:21 PM on November 9, 2008

I've had a front-loader for several years and never used HE detergent with it. I use Tide Free detergent, but in very small amounts and have never had a problem with excess suds.

I also have a 3-year-old. Before she was born, I read in the "Baby Bargains" book (by Denise & Alan Fields) that Dreft is no better than any other detergent, it's just marketed out the wazoo for babies. When the baby was little, her clothes tended to get washed separately, mainly because her clothes were more likely to be dirtier than ours, what with the various baby effluvia.

Unless you're handling the baby in a clean-room suit and living in a plastic bubble, your child will be exposed to all your "adult dirt", and a good thing too. Remember, it is possible to be too clean, and with more allergies and asthma as a result.
posted by mogget at 6:53 PM on November 9, 2008

There is a lot of "new parent" urban legends, and one of them is "wash baby clothes apart from adult clothes" and you hear it so often it does get stuck in your head a bit.
posted by k8t at 7:12 PM on November 9, 2008

I used up three bottles of regular detergent I had left over (don't ask) when I got my HE. I simply used much less. Ten times less.

Did it harm my machine? Maybe, but it sure doesn't look like it. Runs fine. I'm using HE detergent now, though.
posted by converge at 9:04 PM on November 9, 2008

I've probably never used HE soaps - but I do use way less. A third or a fourth depending on the load and how dirty it is.

The thing with front loaders is that usually you have more control over the temp and the clothes never sit in a bucket of dirty water.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 9:32 PM on November 9, 2008

Data point: my in-laws have been using the normal amount of normal soap in their front-loader for the past 5 years. Wound up with suds that took 6 double-rinse cycles to rinse out of the clothes. Repair man came out, said that he was amazed that after all this time they had never had a 'massive flood,' gave them some tablets to break up the build-up, some HE detergent, and a bill for $140.

So, don't do that.
posted by paisley henosis at 9:52 PM on November 9, 2008

I have a front loader that "requires" HE detergent. When the delivery guy brought it he said that it was fine to use regular detergent, as long as you only use half as much or less. I've been doing that for 6 or 7 years now (can't actually remember when we bought it), with no issues at all.

As for baby detergent, I already have sensitive skin, so I decided to stick with the detergent that keeps my skin happy. My son has been fine with the same detergent, and I mix his clothes with ours too.
posted by Joh at 9:56 PM on November 9, 2008

All makes a fragrance and color-free HE liquid. That's what we use. To be honest, if you've invested in a good machine, why not follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 8:40 AM on November 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

You want to use low-sudsing deterg. Really low-sudsing. If you use regular deterg, and it gets fouled, I've heard that vinegar will get rid of the suds, though I haven't tried it.
posted by theora55 at 9:35 AM on November 10, 2008

I have a front loader; I use Tide Free HE for my babies' clothes, and regular Tide HE for everything else.
posted by candyland at 1:07 PM on November 10, 2008

I use Method (all their detergents are HE compatible) and it's the best detergent I've ever used with my HE washer. They have a baby detergent too, if you still want to use that.
posted by nekton at 9:00 AM on November 12, 2008