Recommend me an HE detergent

[washabear]

Can anyone recommend a good HE detergent that cleans well and rinses well? I’m currently using Tide HE powder in my Frigidaire FL. It cleans well, and I like the fragrance, but it’s pretty sudsy. With assorted clothes, it’s OK, but with towels, forget it—then I get suds even after the fourth rinse, and I use less than half the amount that would reach the number 1 line on the scoop. What else is good? I prefer powder detergent and would like something reasonably priced. I was thinking of getting one of the Sears detergents that come in the buckets, but I read in Consumer Reports (December 2005) that they only had a “good” rating for “Keeps dirt off,” so I’m not sure. Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[gyrafoam]

Save your money and buy FAB. Cheap, low-sudzing, and very effective.

 

[frigilux]

I have very soft water and a similar suds problem. In fact, there's usually more suds in the 1st rinse than there was during the wash. I solved that problem by putting just a bit of liquid fabric softener in the bleach dispenser (maybe a teaspoon). Then I'd put a bit more in the softener dispenser for the final rinse. That was the best solution.

SA8 rinses out well, even in soft water, but you have to get it online (Quixtar.com) and it's spendy. It's a fantastic detergent though, and I highly recommend it.

 

[oxydolfan1]

The Sears products are pretty good, affordable, and get the job done. They just don't have very much pizzazz.

 

[appnut]

I've been using Sears powdered detergents for almost two years. My favorite is the stian fighting formula (enzyme) in the large bucket.

 

[~sudsshane]

I agree with Gyrafoam...

Fab "Spring Magic" or "Rain Forest" powder is formulated for HE Front and Top Load machines. I will also recommend Fresh Start which I use in my LG Front load machine. Both detergents are excellent, low sudsing and very inexpensive.

 

[sudsmaster]

I've found that terry towels and throw rugs do tend to whip up the most lather in a front loader regardless of the HE detergent I use. You could try suppressing excess foaming with a dash of fabric softener. I have found that Sears HE powder tends to have fairly well controlled sudsing, but even that can over-suds.

Method HE liquid tends to be rather low-sudsing, and seems to leave terry cloth reasonably soft, but I'm not sure it's a great cleaner. My towels are generally not that dirty anyway so it's not a big matter. And it does leave a pleasant enough fragrance.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: {HE} Detergent:

Hi! Bruce, I've actually more recently tried Purex Liquid, with Reneuzit Freshener and it isn't an "HE" Detergent, but it doesn't to my amazement Sudz-Up hardly at all in my LG Compact Washer/Dryer Combo. I had gotten 2-Bottles {80 or 100 load size} at Target for 2/$6.50. I complained to a Manager about their not having any "HE" Detergents on the Shelves and he asked an Employee to check the Stock in the Warehouse. The Employee brought out one of the huge 300-oz Dispenser Spout All "HE" Liquid Containers and the Manager offered it to me for $7.95, normally $12.95 so I bought both the Purex w/Reneuzit and the All "HE" Liquids. The All "HE" also hardly Sudz-Up either and both don't Sudz-Up much even if I've put a little too much in the Washer Dispenser, ending up with a somewhat smaller Load of Laundry. After I finished using the 2nd Bottle of Purex, I've kept it, so I can refill it with the All "HE" not making the larger Container too heavy for me to lift from the Floor, whenever I needed to Dispense the Detergent, I just grab the Purex Bottle and use the Cap in it to Measure out what I need.

I've also used Wish "HE" Cheer "HE" and Gain "HE" with great results from all of these Liquid Detergents.

I hope that this helps you, please keep us informed as to what you decide to use of "HE" Detergents.

Peace and Great Laundry Washing Days, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[MikeS]

Kirkland Ultra Also Worth A Shot

If you have a Costco store near you, give the house brand Kirkland Signature Ultra liquid a shot. I've found it effective in my Roper top loader and it produces less suds. Also, it's HE compatible and cheaper to use than the leading brands.
Haven't tried it in a front loader, but maybe others have an opinion.

 

[bleacho]

go for the kirkland detergent.

its inexpensive, and is rated very high in consumer reports.. i have been using it for years in my front loader, with great success. scent is nice,and never too much sudsing.
give it a try, you'll love it , and it'll save you money

 

[washabear]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had never heard of SA8 until I saw it mentioned here. I suppose I could try the smallest package and see how I like it. The Kirkland seems to be highly regarded, too, but I have read some comments on another forum that it is one of the sudsiest HE detergents. Perhaps people were using too much? Does that come in liquid only? I never see Fab anywhere these days, but I see from another post that dollar stores carry it. I never would have thought to look there.

I wasn’t aware of the fabric softener remedy. Normally I don’t use softener. Does it lessen the effectiveness of the detergent when used that way?

Thanks again.

 

[frigilux]

Don't put the softener in at the beginning of the wash cycle; On the occasions its needed, add it at the very end of the wash cycle, when all the cleaning that's going to happen has happened. You needn't use a full dose, either; Just a bit will knock down the suds.

 

[westyslantfront]

I found that Tide HE powder foamed as much as any other powder detergent. I like Tide HE LIQUID, original scent the best and it does not foam as much as the powder did. It does a good job. I do not care for any "Brand X" detergent.
Tide HE liquid does a fine job.

Ross

 

[rp2813]

My partner bought a small container of Tide he liquid and I found that it was sudsing up too much. Then I actually paid some attention to the label and realized that it was super concentrated and I only needed to use a couple of tablespoons full. Problem solved. I'm amazed at how little detergent my Duet HT requires. Makes me wonder why they made the detergent "cup" so large on these machines, as even using powder I would think that filling up to the "max" line on the dispenser would create way too much suds.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I discovered years ago that if one of the HE machines started developing too many suds, a tablespoon of powder Tide HE would bring the suds level back down to passable. I also found that you can mix regular powder detergents half and half with the Powder Tide HE and get controled suds.