Amy- I’m a longtime Tide fan. If it’s helpful, here are the top-rated detergents from a leading testing organization. Tide makes some detergents specifically formulated for HE washers, others that are recommended for use in either traditional or HE machines.
I really liked Persil Proclean + Stain Fighter, as well, but my local grocery store no longer carries it. For the sake of comparison, Tide Ultra Stain Release, made specifically for HE washers, and the aforementioned Persil—for any type of washer—are the top-scorers, with an overall score of 84.
Tide Ultra Oxi- overall score of 83, so virtually identical in cleaning power/stain removal to the two top-rated detergents.
Tide Heavy Duty 10X- score of 80. I’m using this at the moment, and have to say it’s not worth the extra 10-cent per load cost. Cleans well, though; just expensive. I’m going to try Tide Ultra Oxi. It is sometimes available at the local grocery store, so I’ll have to grab a jug when I see it.
Tide Original- score of 70. Did not remove several stains as well as the Ultra Oxi and Heavy Duty 10X versions.
Front-loaders had been my “daily driver” since the mid 1980s, but in 2017 I purchased a Speed Queen 9-series top-loader pair upon moving to an apartment building with a cramped, communal laundry area that has a wooden floor. I was concerned the high spin speed of a front-loader would cause a lot of noise and vibration, annoying the other three apartments. Turns out the floor is robust enough to handle front-loaders, but I’ve grown to like the Speed Queen, so probably won’t bother spending the money to return to my preferred format.
