Demystifying HE Laundry Detergent

Are you wondering what HE laundry detergent is? If you've shopped for a washing machine in the last ten years, you've probably heard or read the terms "HE" and "High Efficiency" somewhere... Yes?... but you're not sure what it is, or what it implies?... and you're wondering if you should use it?

Just know that, like a car that performs better with the right fuel, your high-efficiency washer will also perform better if you give it the right detergent.

What does "High Efficiency" (HE) mean?

HE, high efficiency... all these terms refer to the same thing.

For a washing machine, it refers to an energy-efficient appliance that uses, on average, between 20% and 66% less water than a regular washing machine for the same wash cycle. Don't hesitate to read our article on washing machines to find out their differences and which one would suit you best.

For a detergent, the HE mention means that it is designed to work in a reduced volume of water. An HE detergent also produces less foam and dissolves faster. Finally, know that an HE detergent keeps dirt on the surface of the water to prevent it from redepositing on your clothes.

How do I know if my detergent or washing machine is "HE"?

Knowing whether a detergent is "HE" or not is very simple. If its bottle has one of the following two logos, then it is:

If your washer has one of these two logos, then it is also high efficiency.
All front-load washers are high efficiency. For top-load washers, you will usually find this logo on the top or when opening the machine's lid.

Can HE detergent be used in a regular washer?

Yes. It will probably produce less foam than a regular detergent but will wash just as well. Since a regular washer uses more water, note that you may need to use more detergent than the amount indicated on your bottle.

Can regular detergent be used in an HE washer?

If you own a high-efficiency washer, you must use an HE laundry detergent. Using regular detergent will not give you optimal performance and could potentially damage your washing machine.

As we've seen, a high-efficiency washer is designed to clean your clothes with a reduced volume of water. If you use regular soap in an HE washer, it will produce too much foam. Excess foam can negatively affect the quality of your wash, overflow from your washer, or even extend its wash time.

In the long term, prolonged use of a non-HE detergent can cause corrosion on the drum and/or the bearing system of your HE machine, leading to costly repairs. Note that the same thing could also happen if you use a poor-quality HE detergent or too much of it.

How to distinguish a good HE laundry detergent from a less good one?

Visually, this can be seen by the amount of foam it produces. The more foam a detergent makes, the less effective it is. Contrary to the popular belief that "the more a soap foams, the better it cleans," the reality is quite different. It is the amount of cleaning agents (or active agents) present or not in a soap that determines whether it "cleans" or not.

The concentration of your detergent is another good way to assess its quality. The more concentrated a soap is, the better it will be. A concentrated detergent is recognized by the fact that you need very little per load (often 25 mL or less), which is about one tablespoon. A concentrated detergent is therefore likely to contain a high number of cleaning agents.

How to calculate the concentration of my HE detergent?

It can be indicated on your bottle in the following form: 1x; 2x; 4x; 6x etc. Obviously, only the most concentrated detergents will mention this... which is also the minority.

If your bottle has no indication, you can calculate it using the following ratio: number of loads divided by the weight of the bottle in milliliters, then multiplied by 100.

Example:

Number of loads: 25
Weight: 1.9 L or 1900 mL

Calculation: (25/1900) x 100 = 1

1x Concentrated

Number of loads: 68
Weight: 1.7 L or 1700 mL

Calculation: (68/1700) x 100 = 4

4x Concentrated

Number of loads: 200
Weight: 3 L or 3000 mL

Calculation: (200/3000) x 100 = 6

6x Concentrated

A high-efficiency laundry detergent will be considered "good" from a concentration of 4 onwards.

Liquid, powder, capsule: Which to choose for my HE washer?

As there are many choices of high-efficiency detergent, the choice can seem difficult. The most popular format today by far is liquid, but there are also powder or capsule detergents. Here is a summary of each format in a few points:

	LIQUID	POWDER	CAPSULE
Good for…	Front-load washers Regular washers	Regular washers	Regular washers
Pros	Allows adjustment based on load size and dirt level Allows localized stain treatment *Works optimally with front-loader detergent dispensing systems	Allows adjustment based on load size and dirt level Allows localized stain treatment	*Ready to use (no dosing needed)
Cons	Not concentrated enough depending on the detergent brand purchased May leave odors in the drum depending on the detergent brand purchased	Risk of loss and mess Not optimal with front-loader detergent dispensing systems	No adjustment possible based on load size or dirt level Not concentrated enough, too large a quantity per load *Does not take advantage of front-loader detergent dispensing systems

In summary, if you have a front-load washer, you're better off opting for a concentrated liquid solution. This way you'll get the most out of your washing machine. If your washer is a top-loader, all three solutions will work.

Finding an HE detergent for your high-efficiency washer is easy today. Finding a good detergent is less so but not impossible thanks to the tips above.

Demystifying He Laundry Detergent For those who use fabric softener, remember to use one that is also HE. Preferably, choose one that is as liquid as possible to avoid leaving deposits in your washer.