Can You Use HE Detergent in a Regular Washer?

Can you use HE detergent in a regular washer? This question might wander around your head for a while. 

While the short answer is yes, you can use HE detergent in a regular washer. BUT, it might be a little bit more complicated than that.

So, to get the more comprehensive answer for that question, let’s get going more into this article!

What is a HE Detergent?

A HE detergent also known as high-efficiency detergent is a type of detergent that is specifically formulated to be used in high-efficiency washing machines.

Whether it is a liquid, powder, gel or pod, a HE detergent can be easily spotted by the HE symbol on its packaging.

Like most liquid detergents sold nowadays, HE detergents contain less water and are more concentrated than detergents were in the past.

How Does HE Detergent Work?

HE detergents work by producing less foam than regular detergents. While regular detergents can also effectively clean your clothes, they can lengthen the wash cycle and use more water than necessary. 

Here’s how HE detergent works to clean your clothes:

• Creates foam to help break down stains and release soil.
• Hold stains, soil and dye in water, so they don’t stick to clothes.
• Freshens clothes to keep them looking their best.

Can You Use HE Detergent in a Regular Washer?

Yes, you can use HE detergent in a regular top-loader washing machine with a center agitator but not the other way around.

You can’t safely use regular detergent in HE washer, this is because regular detergent will create too many suds that can disrupt the tumbling action needed for cleaning.

Other than that, the excessive suds of regular detergent can also overflow the washer and can cause permanent damage to washer’s electronic controls.

Back to the HE detergent, you can use it in a regular washer because it basically contains the exact same cleaning ingredients such as surfactants, enzymes and water conditioners as the non-HE detergents.

The only difference being a HE detergent formulated to be low-sudsing because a HE washer uses less water in its wash and rinse cycles.

Other than that, if you’re planning to use a HE detergent for your regular washer, you might notice fewer suds, but don’t worry it will be fine and your clothes will most likely be just as clean.

How Much HE Detergent Should You Use?

You need about 1/4 cup for a normal-sized load when using HE detergent in a regular washing machine, there will probably be less suds, but you will still get clean results.

For normal-sized loads in a high-efficiency washing machine, the recommended amount of HE detergent is usually 2 tablespoons.

However, the recommended amount also depends on the concentration level of the detergent as different types of detergent may have different concentrations.

And in addition to that, if you have an automatic detergent dispenser on your standard top-loading washing machine, check your instruction manual to find out how much detergent it can hold. 

And if you lost your manual book, you could also use a measuring cup to fill the dispenser with water to determine how much it holds. 

Compare that amount to the recommended 4 tablespoons. You may need less HE detergent than the dispenser can hold. 

If the dispenser works better with more product, add more detergent and then fill it completely with water.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is best to measure the detergent you’re about to use for your laundry.

If you’re skipping this step and directly pouring the detergent into the washer, you might end up with two different results.

First, you might use less detergent that may end up not clean your clothes as it should be, or you’ll use excessive amount of detergent that won’t washed away and will attracts soil and leaves your clothes looking dingy.

So, can you use HE detergent in a regular washer? While it is safe to use HE detergent in a regular washer, it’s important to remember that HE detergent is designed to create less foam than regular detergent, as it’s formulated for high-efficiency machines that use less water. 

In a standard washer, this will not pose a problem, but you may notice fewer suds. The key is to use the appropriate amount.