High Efficiency detergents 101

[drhardee]

From those wacky folks at the Soap and Detergent Association..

Talk amongst yourselves...

http://cleaning101.com/laundry/HE.pdf

 

[tuthill]

I hate people telling me how to do my own laundry. I've been doing it since I was three, I think I have it figured out.

 

[frigilux]

While Jed is right that everyone who frequents AW already knows all about why/how HE machines differ from traditional washers, I think the average citizen---who often knows nothing about washers or the products used in conjunction with them---would find it informative and easy to understand.

I used regular detergent for years in my front-loaders, but they all (including my current machine, a 2002 Frigidaire) used substantially more water than today's Hettie/Duet/LG.

For instance, I used powdered Tide ColdWater (non-HE) for over a year with excellent results. Most of the time, though, I use HE detergents; I certainly would if I had a newer, ultra-low water use machine.