Regular Detergent in HE Washers

[doityrselfguy]

I've used HE detergents religiously in my front loader, but have recently experimented with regular formulas. I found that with a little caution and close attention to load sizes and soil levels, the extra rinse is not triggered (I have a Bosch Axxis+), and the load comes out just fine. I'll probably continue to use HE detergents, but does anyone have thoughts or experiences to share on this topic?

 

[mulls]

Tide

I use regular Tide in my Frigidaire-no problem at all if you are careful with the amount(powder).Enough to make the water slick makes just enough suds to look good-last rinse is clear.
Tom

 

[golittlesport]

At first I used regular Cheer powder when I first got a front loader about five years ago. It works fine on most loads. But some loads, like towels, didn't rinse as well as with an HE detergent. Since there are so many HE brands out now and they are the same price I only use HE these days in the front loader. Most modern detergents don't produce a lot of suds. I use Gain in the Frigidaire Unimatic to generate heaps of suds for viewing pleasure. That seems to be the only high sudsing brand.

 

[gansky1]

I've tried some of the other non-HE brands in the Duet, Neptune, Duomatic with varying results. The formulation of HE detergents is quite different than standard types which gives better results overall, IMO.

 

[kenmore1978]

HE detergents

so why didn't vintage FL machines need a "special" detergent formulation? Was Madison Avenue not on the ball Back In The Day?

 

[mrcleanjeans]

SOAP OPERA

They didn't NEED them, but they didn't clean as well as a good top-loader as a result. Cutting the detergent level way down minimized sudsing, but compromised cleaning. And, low sudsers were not perfected till the 1960s; SO,the thing to do is use a vintage low sudser from the 60s up or a good HE detergent from today, and then see wonderful results from those glorious old front loaders, I'd have one any day of the week over the modern Frigidaire FL that I have.Though it works well and is a quality machine for the money, it takes too long to counterweight itself before finally deciding to spin,and I prefer a higher water level than modern FLs provide.

 

[kenmore1978]

detergent amount

BUT, an FL machine uses less water, so even though one is using less detergent, the concentration would be about the same. As I remember, most detergents in the old days would say to use half the amount in an FL machine, and I think an FL machine, even then, actually used LESS than half the water a TL machine used. On that basis, the detergent concentration would be GREATER in the FL machine.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

the inside half a scoop

True, but the need for greater concentration is higher with FLs, because the same amount of dirt is being saturated into a smaller volume of water, and their gentler wash action needs extra assistance. Don't get me wrong,their strengths greatly outway their weaknesses, and given the right elements, they then at least equal a good TL in cleaning. By the way, the low sudsers of yesteryear were the HEs of their day.

 

[doityrselfguy]

Incidentally, I received my sample of Tide Coldwater yesterday and used it in my Bosch. The entire sample consisted of a little less than a half cup. I divided the sample into two 1/4 cups, and used them on average sized loads of dirty, colored t-shirts...with a cold wash. It performed very well. There were suds, but not a significant amount.

Again, I think soil levels factor in. Front loaders seem to be more tolerant to regular detergent formulas with moderately soiled loads, which seem to balance out the sudsing effect. I would not have attempted to use the Tide Coldwater on a cleaner load such as towels.

Pete

 

[kenmore1978]

Tide Coldwater

Do the directions specify amounts for FL machines?

 

[zipdang]

The directions on the liquid Tide Coldwater suggest using Tide HE if you have an HE machine. I've used the liquid Coldwater formula in my KitchenAid toploader and have had excellent results. It seems to work well on both the SensorSure cold setting as well as the cold-from-the-tap setting. I dare say I'm becoming a cold water convert.

Back to the subject of regular detergents in FL machines. I used to have a Bosch FL, and I used regular Tide powder (1/2 dose) along with about 1 TBSP of Tide HE powder, which was just enough to knock down any suds. (Keep in mind my Bosch was smaller than a Neptune, FriGeMore, or HE3t.) It made the box of HE detergent last forever, and I was able to use the much less expensive regular Tide for every load instead of the pricer HE version. I actually owe the suggestion to someone on this board, although I can't remember whom.

 

[richm]

Regular Tide Powder

I've mentioned this in other posts, I use the full amount of regular Tide powder in my Neptune all the time. I always use extra rinse and never have had a problem. If Tide HE powder is on sale, I'll use it, but unfortunately it normally isn't, and costs about twice the amount of the regular.

Rich

 

[peteski50]

Regular Tide Powder

Rich
I buy the powder Tide He in Target it is less expensive. For example I bought 2 boxes on sale last week for $11.00.
Check out Target if one is near you.
Peter

 

[richm]

Thanks Peter

I usually buy my detergent at Target. For some reason, the HE is usually not on sale when the regular is. I should ask the manager why the next time I go.

Rich

 

[peterh770]

I've never used HE detergents in the FL's that I have for a couple reasons:

One, long before HE detergents came out, manufacturers recommended simply using a lesser amount in a FL. If that worked from 1947 until the mid-1990's, then it must still work.

Two, using less detergent obviously is more economical. If a 42 load box can last for 84 or more washloads, that is more money in my pocket (money I can spend washing in hot more often!).

Three, "IF" an HE detergent is a basically the same as regular detergent with a suds-supressing agent in it (which I believe it is), then when it is added to the small amount of water in a FL, the solution is too concentrated and causes fabric weakness, damage and premature wear. I beleive that this is the cause of people mysteriously getting pin holes in their t-shirts, and that clothes feel rougher or stiff coming out of the dryer. The little bit of water used in 3-4 rinses is not enough to rinse out the detergent in modern machines -- suds or no suds.

Four, HE or not, if manufacturers of detergents and washing machines were really serious that HE detergents are so necessary, they would have introduced coin-vend sizes for coin laundries. That has yet to happen.

The only case I see for HE detergents is maybe in a washer that relies on recirculating water to clean the clothes (Calypso). The reason I say this is because the pump impeller is rotating at such a speed to draw both the wash solution and air into it and whip it up like a blender into shaving cream consistancy. An HE detergent used in the proper amount will curb this -- or at least kill the suds when the pump turns off. But then the HE detergent is used as more of a machine protecting additive than it is a dirt removing additive.

Last, the proper amount for a normal washload is up to the first line in the cap or scoop -- approximately 1/2 the full measure. Most people (not the people who post here) use a full cap or scoop. Again, too much is used. I wish manufacturers would make the cap or scoop the RIGHT SIZE and use more if needed.

 

[washman]

how about All & free & Clear

My daughter has an allergic reaction to any detergents with perfumes and dyes. We use All free & clear but they don't have an HE version. I am getting a new Kenmore Fl next week. Any suggestions on what I should use.

Thanks.

 

[peterh770]

Continue to use your ALL Free & Clear. 1/4 scoop. I've used regular ALL for years and really like it.

 

[nmaineman36]

What I do in my Frigidaire FL aka Kenmore I use Tide HE and I use just a 1/4 scoop and then use a full scoop of Tide w/Bleach on my whites. The Tide HE lets me use regular detergent plus I am stretching the amount of HE I have as well. I do the same with colors and use regular Tide with the 1/4 scoop of HE. But I dont use the same detergent all the time. I do use Persil and British Ariel and the Brazilian version of Omo MultiActive that does wonders in my washer. The Persil MegaPearls do a very good job and one detergent that kinda surprised me is Ecover. It does a very good job as well. I have been using Ecover's nonchlorine bleach as well and been impressed with it since I use less than a teaspoon of it in hot water.
I have tried the Wisk Classic liquid in my washer and it does suds up some.
Mike

 

[doityrselfguy]

PeterH770: You raise a lot of good points. I like the HE detergents, but will continue to experiment with non-HE types in my Bosch. I've found that by using only HE detergents, one sacrifices variety. I occasionally used Era in the '93 GE filter-flo I once owned, and miss it. It's still available here, and I just might try it in my Bosch, in a reduced amount.