Tide Laundry Detergent, 50 Ounce (Pack of 2), $10.98 AC / FSSS or Prime @ Amazon

Quote from Koubiak : From my machine's manual: "Use only High Efficiency detergents. This wash system, along with less water, will create too much sudsing with a regular non-HE detergent. Using regular detergent will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times and reduced rinsing performance. It may also result in component failures and noticeable mold or mildew. HE detergents are made to produce the right amount of suds for the best performance.". If you want to jeopardize your own HE machine by using non-HE detergent, by all means feel free to do so, but do not spread lies on a forum just to make a point.

Quote from DmoRulez : Right on. It's not worth using non HE in a HE machine. Plus the non HE detergents are more harsh on your clothes. My guess is that also thinks it's ok to never change oil in a car and only change the filter because oil doesn't break down, it just gets dirty.

Quote from Divilish : Same BS that most new cars have in their owners manual about the grade of gas........

Quote from slackingoff7 : You can't use non HE in an HE machine because HE detergent creates less sods. This is because in the HE machine, there is less space. Using non HE in an HE machine will likely cause it to overflow and leave bubbles all over the ground (just like using normal hand dishwashing soap in a dishwasher, my sheltered roommate did that once :-(). Also, dirty oil is less lubricating that clean oil. If the oil doesn't flow well enough, then its not lubing the engine. Technically, as long as it doesn't gunk up, the oil should be OK for the car. Car manufacturers are there to save their asses just in case that happens. Not like oil can gunk up under 5K miles, even though when you change your oil, your oil pan still has old oil that doesn't get drained out completely. Lastly, oil is consumed by the car in small quantities. If you are not going to change your oil, check on its level.

For everyone interested the real reason you should never use nonHE in an HE front loader is because of the bearing at the back of the tub. The regular nonHE will suds up and that gets into the tub bearing and will leach out the sealed in lubricate from the bearing.

Simple as that.

If you would like to replace your tub bearing on a front load washer use nonHE.

So what's the consensus on using HE detergents in non-HE washers?

I only use HE detergent in my oil.

got it for $8.80 yesterday at big lots with the coupon......... 100 oz bottles. They are normally $11 there.

Quote from onlycash : For everyone interested the real reason you should never use nonHE in an HE front loader is because of the bearing at the back of the tub. The regular nonHE will suds up and that gets into the tub bearing and will leach out the sealed in lubricate from the bearing. Simple as that. If you would like to replace your tub bearing on a front load washer use nonHE.

I agree with you that you shouldn't use non HE detergent in an HE machine. Although now I'm curious, how does that impact a top load HE machine?

Quote from DmoRulez : Right on. It's not worth using non HE in a HE machine. Plus the non HE detergents are more harsh on your clothes.

Not true at all. "HE" detergents are simply regular detergents with a foam suppressor added to the formulation, something like a silicone or fatty acid that is water soluble and has no impact on clothes

Quote from Foreveryours : So what's the consensus on using HE detergents in non-HE washers?

See above for why it makes no difference.


Frankly, I'd be shocked to find out that even the non-HE branded Tide wasn't dual-compatible (aka safe for use on both), but don't quote me on that. Almost everyone in the industry is moving towards dual-compatible by default and I highly doubt P&G didn't start doing it first

I stocked up on Purex when it was $2 for 32 loads a canister. Now why would I pay $5.50 for Tide, is it 2.75 times better?

Quote from DmoRulez : I agree with you that you shouldn't use non HE detergent in an HE machine. Although now I'm curious, how does that impact a top load HE machine?

Just use 1/3 the amount (66% less) of regular detergent in your top load HE machine. It won't hurt it. It will create a lot less suds by using such a small amount.

The only thing I would be concerned with is if you get enough cleaning power using 1/3 as much.

However, a lot of research also indicates that you may NOT EVEN NEED TO USE DETERGENT to get clothes clean:

http://gumbo.blogspot.com/2010/04...rgent.html

Quote from audiokingman : However, a lot of research also indicates that you may NOT EVEN NEED TO USE DETERGENT to get clothes clean: http://gumbo.blogspot.com/2010/04...rgent.html

I am now mind blown after reading that. Having I just been wasting money all these years?

Quote from DmoRulez : I am now mind blown after reading that. Having I just been wasting money all these years?

perhaps. Most people, especially those working office jobs, really have no need for premium laundry detergents, the cheap stuff will do the job pretty well. No detergent at all seems pretty extreme since body oils and other stains are usually composed at least in part of stuff that has a much higher affinity for cotton fibers than water, so some detergent is necessary to remove them. Making your own detergent is something I hear a lot of around here, usually utilizing a crap load of borax, washing soda and bar soap. Those might be effective, but over time those ingredients have adverse effects on clothes. Washing soda forms insoluble carbonates that cause encrustation on cotton fibers, and bar soap forms soap scum that can also build up on your clothes. both of those things, over time, make your whites dingy and gray and your colors a lot less vibrant. Fully formulated detergents contain ingredients to prevent those things from happening and the surfactants they use are a lot more effective than what you get in bar soap. So is Tide worth it over A&H, Purex or Xtra? It depends on how dirty your clothes are.