What happens if you use non he detergent in an he washer

If you have an HE washer, you’ve likely heard that it can only be used with HE detergent. Is it ok to use regular detergent in an HE washer anyway? In short, no, it isn’t. Regular detergents can create excess suds that compromise your machine and leave laundry dirty. Learn more about why HE detergent is essential with HE washers and what to do if regular detergent is used.

Why Using Regular Detergent in an HE Washer is a Bad Idea

HE detergent was designed to work with an HE washer’s movement and water usage. Using regular detergent in an HE washer can interfere with these factors and ultimately result in short and long-term problems. We’ll detail what those problems are and how to lessen the effects of regular detergent if it’s accidentally used. But, first, here are some important facts about HE detergent.

What is HE Washer Detergent?

The main difference between regular laundry detergent and high efficiency reflects HE washer’s more efficient operation. HE detergents are specially formulated to clean clothes with lower water levels and tumbling motion unique to HE machines. 

Here’s how HE detergents work:

• Fewer suds: HE detergents don’t create as many bubbles as regular detergents.
• Suds disperse more quickly: The few suds that are created break up faster and more easily.
• Suspending stains: Both HE and regular detergent lift stains and hold them in suspension, preventing them from re-infiltrating clothes. HE detergents are designed to effectively suspend stains in lower amounts of water.

What Happens if You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer?

Will regular detergent ruin an HE washer? With repeated use, it could. Using regular detergent in an HE washer creates more suds. Excessive suds cause common washer problems that also affect the cleanliness of your clothes.

This is what can happen when you use regular detergent in an HE washer:

• Less effective cleaning: Excess suds interfere with the washer’s tumbling motion, creating a barrier that limits cleaning performance and rinsing.
• Buildup of residue: Suds aren’t easily rinsed away, leaving behind particles that can generate smelly mold and mildew.
• Washer damage: Overflowing and overheating can occur as a result of too many suds. 
• Decreased efficiency: The washer may use more rinse cycles to dispel suds, creating longer wash times and increased energy and water usage.

What to do if You Used the Wrong Detergent

If you accidentally used regular detergent in HE washer, don’t let the wash cycle continue. This will only generate more suds that can negatively affect your clothes and your machine.

Here’s what to do if you used the wrong detergent:

1. Stop the wash cycle.
2. Restart the washer by selecting a spin cycle.
3. Follow with a rinse/spin cycle using cold water.
4. Resume a regular wash cycle with cold water.

Even if you don’t use regular detergent in an HE washer, malfunctions can happen from time to time. When they do, rely on the washing machine repair experts at Appliance Genie to solve the problem!

You’ve got a fancy new HE washing machine, but you’ve heard you can’t use your regular detergent. That’s right.

Are you wondering why? We’re here to answer all the questions surrounding HE laundry detergent and where you can and can’t use it.

We’ll explain why HE is compatible with regular washers, but not the other way around.

Keep reading for all the top tips and advice so that your clothes are clean and your machine lasts for years.

Can You Use HE Detergent in a Regular Washer?

Yes! HE detergents use the same ingredients as regular detergents, so they will wash the clothes just as well, even with fewer suds. We recommend using ¼ cup of HE detergent in regular machines for normal loads. This may vary depending on the brand.

What is High-Efficiency Detergent?

High-efficiency detergent is specifically made for high-efficiency washing machines. Since these machines use less water, the detergent produces fewer suds and disperses quickly. This allows the detergent to work wonderfully even with minimal water.

It’s essential to use HE detergent in HE machines, including top-loader and front-loader appliances.

Using regular detergent will create way too many suds that don’t wash off the clothes effectively. Plus, it can damage your machine.

To identify HE laundry detergent, you’ll notice an HE symbol on the detergent packaging. It’s a lowercase “he” inside of a circle.

HE Detergent Vs Regular Detergent

There are some important differences and similarities to note when comparing the two.

They actually contain the same cleaning ingredients such as surfactants and enzymes to create suds that break apart stains and clean dirt. The ingredients suspend this dirt before draining it away in the water so that your clothes come out clean.

However, HE detergent is low-sudsing, so you can use it in HE machines with less water. The good news is that it cleans just as well!

HE detergent is also more concentrated than regular detergent. There is less water in the detergent, meaning you’re paying for more detergent and less water. This also means you can use less detergent, resulting in lower costs over time.

Just note that the up-front cost of HE detergent may be larger. But it lasts longer.

Yes, you can use HE-compatible detergent in your non-HE washing machine! But don’t use regular detergent in an HE machine.

Can You Use Regular Detergent In a HE Washer?

No. Regular detergent has higher water content and creates more suds which can damage or overflow your washing machine. Plus, it can leave a soapy residue on your clothes which can cause wear and tear quickly.

Always use HE detergent in an HE washer.

Can You Use HE Detergent In a Regular Washer?

On the other hand, HE is compatible with a regular washing machine. These detergents use the same ingredients to wash the clothes just as well. They will produce less suds, but that doesn’t result in less efficient cleaning. It’s just the way the detergent works.

Expert Advice

You might need to use more laundry detergent per load since regular washers use more water. Try using ¼ cup of HE detergent for an average size load in a normal washing machine. This may vary depending on your machine and detergent brand, so experiment with the detergent amount until it produces enough suds and cleans your clothes well.

How Much Detergent to Use In An HE Washer

This is very dependent on the brand of detergent you’re using. Before you eyeball the amount, we recommend taking time to read the packaging instructions so that you end up using the correct amount.

In general, for HE machines, use around two teaspoons of HE laundry detergent for a regular load of laundry. This might seem minuscule, but remember, these appliances aren’t using much water.

The bottom line is less is more. Since HE washers don’t use as much water, putting in too much detergent can be overwhelming for the machine. There might not be enough water per cycle to wash away all the soap residue. If this happens add an extra rinse cycle to wash away the soap.

Compared to non-HE laundry detergent, you’re looking at two tablespoons of liquid detergent or four tablespoons for powder.

For Soft Water

If you live in a soft-water area, try using 1.5 teaspoons of detergent for your HE machine. Leveling down a little can result in cleaner clothes.

FAQs

What is the Best HE Laundry Detergent?

There are many HE laundry detergents available, but here are our top three recommendations:

1. Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs: We’ve been using Seventh Generation in our home for years and love it. This formula uses quadruple enzymes to tackle tough, stubborn stains. These packs work in hot or cold water, and they’re made with 94 percent plant based ingredients. No fragrances, dyes, or artificial brighteners.
2. Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Plus Aroma Boost: This liquid detergent gives you six weeks of freshness after washing. Your clothes will smell beautiful for weeks! Plus, this detergent works in hot and cold water. Last but not least, it removes tough stains, including pet messes.
3. Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Laundry Detergent: This popular detergent is designed to tackle all sorts of stains, including dirt, body oil, chocolate, and more. It can even be used to pretreat. It’s also great for hard water areas.

Can you use these HE detergents in a normal washer? You sure can! These detergents will work great in all kinds of regular machines, whether from Whirlpool, Samsung, or even an LG TurboWash.

Can You Just Water Down Regular Detergent For An HE Washer?

It might seem like you could, but we don’t recommend it. While the detergents use the same ingredients, they use different quantities and concentrations. Simply diluting normal detergent with water will not create the same result.

If you get it wrong, you can end up with excess suds, which will leave your clothes covered in residue. Plus, it can overflow your machine and damage it.

Using the wrong detergent in your HE machine could also void the warranty.

Last but not least, regular detergent in HE washers can lead to mold and mildew, as well as foul odors. There’s not enough water per cycle to wash away all the suds.

Detergent Drama

You may have thought soap is soap. But when it comes to high-efficiency washers, it’s important to get it right.

If you’ve been wondering whether HE detergent is compatible with regular washers, the answer is yes.

But is traditional detergent compatible with HE washers? Definitely not. It can ruin your machine and leave your clothes dirty.

So invest in high-quality HE detergent — you won’t regret it.

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