Bestsellers for Laundry Detergent
HE detergent is a low-sudsing detergent made to rinse out in the small amount of water used by high-efficiency washers. HE stands for high efficiency, and you can spot these detergents by the small "he" symbol on the bottle, box or bag. You can also use HE detergent in a regular washer, where it works fine.
Below, see how to tell which washer you have, then which detergents on our shelves fit it.
HE vs Regular Washers at a Glance
Here's a quick side-by-side look at HE and regular washers.
HE washer | Regular washer | |
|---|---|---|
Water | A small amount; clothes tumble or lift through it | Fills the tub |
How it cleans | Tumbling drum, or a low wash plate in a top-loader | A tall center agitator swishes clothes |
Detergent | HE only (look for the he symbol) | HE or regular |
Suds | Few | More |
Cycle length | Usually longer | Usually shorter |
Is My Washer HE?
Every front-loading washer is an HE washer. If your machine loads from the top, open the lid and look inside the tub. A traditional top-loader has a tall center post called an agitator that swishes clothes around in a full tub of water. A top-loader with no center agitator, and only a low wash plate or impeller in the bottom, is usually an HE washer too.
Because an HE washer tumbles or lifts clothes instead of filling the tub, it uses much less water. That's also why HE cycles usually run longer than traditional top-loader cycles. Many HE machines also have the "he" logo on the lid, door or control panel, and your owner's manual will tell you which detergent to use.
What Makes HE Detergent Different
Because an HE washer tumbles or lifts clothes through a small amount of water, HE detergent uses a low-sudsing formula that rinses out cleanly. Look for the small "he" symbol on the bottle, box or bag when you shop.
Regular detergent in an HE washer makes too many suds for that small amount of water. The suds cushion clothes so they do not get as clean, and they can leave residue on fabrics. Too many suds can also make the washer add rinses, cause it to stop with an error, and leave buildup over time that smells musty, which is why washer makers say to use HE detergent in HE machines.
HE Liquid Detergents at Safeway
Most liquid detergents on our shelves now carry the HE mark, including ones from Tide, Gain, Persil, Arm & Hammer and all. For a dye-free and perfume-free option, look for Tide Free & Gentle HE or all Free & Clear Advanced Oxi HE.
Ingredients C10-16 alketh; sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium and MEA C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate; sodium and/or MEA laureth sulfate; C10-16 alkyldimethylamine oxide; calcium and/or sodium formate; hydrogenated castor oil; sodium and MEA salts of C12-18 fatty acids; phenylpropyl ethyl methicone; trimethylsiloxysilicate; simethicone; sodium and MEA citrate; subtilisin; amylase enzyme; cellulase enzyme; mannanase enzyme; polyethyleneimines alkoxylated; tetrasodium glutamate diacetate; diethylenetriamine; methyl di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate; alcohol; ethanolamine; propylene glycol, benzisothiazolinone; colorants; fragrances; water; may contain: PEG propylene glycol terephthalic acid polymer, sodium cumenesulfonate
Ingredients water; C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated; sodium laureth sulfate; sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate; MEA-citrate; polyethyleneimine alkoxylated; propylene glycol; fragrances; ethanol; C8-18 fatty acid amide MEA; sodium metaborate; tetrasodium iminodisuccinate; ethanolamine; hydrophobically modified acrylate/styrene copolymer; disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate; protease enzyme; methylisothiazolinone; amylase enzyme; colorants; methylchloroisothiazolinone; mannanase enzyme; cellulase enzyme. Contains fragrance allergen(s).
Ingredients Cleaning Agents (Sodium And MEA C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate; C10-16 Pareth; Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate; C10-16 Alkyldimethylamine Oxide), Stabilizers (Sodium Borate; Sodium Cumenesulfonate; Hydrogenated Castor Oil; Calcium Formate), Water Softener (Sodium And MEA Citrate), Enzymes (Subtilisin; Amylase Enzyme; Cellulase Enzyme), Cleaning Aids (Polyethyleneimine Alkoxylated; Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate), Process Aid (Sodium Formate), Odor Removers (Diethylenetriamine; Methyl Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate), Solvents (Propylene Glycol; Alcohol; Ethanolamine), Preservative (Benzisothiazolinone), Colorants, Fragrances, Water
Ingredients Water Cleaning Agents (C10-16 alketh, sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate), Cleaning Aids (polyethyleneimines alkoxylated), Suds Reducer (sodium salts of C12-18 fatty acids), Solvent (propylene glycol), Water Softener (sodium citrate), Cleaning Agent (C10-16 alkyldimethylamine oxide), Solvents (alcohol, sodium cumenesulfonate), Cleaning Aids (PEG propylene glycol terephthalic acid polymer, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate), Stabilizer and/or Process Aid (calcium formate), Enzymes (subtilisin, amylase enzyme, cellulase enzyme, mannanase enzyme),Quality Preserver (benzisothiazolinone)
Can You Use HE Detergent in a Regular Washer?
Yes, you can use HE detergent in a regular washer, and it works fine. You will see fewer suds in the water than you would with a regular detergent, and that is normal because fewer suds does not mean less cleaning.
Do not use regular detergent in an HE machine, though, because it makes too many suds. Some liquids are made only for traditional top-loaders, such as Gain's 2x High Suds Regular, so check the label. Powder detergents come in both HE and non-HE versions, so check the box for the "he" symbol before you buy.
Pacs and Sheets in an HE Washer
Pacs and sheets give you a pre-measured dose, and most say HE or HE Compatible right on the package. For example, Gain flings says "HE Compatible" on the label. Put one pac for a normal load into the empty drum first, and then add your clothes. Do not put pacs in the dispenser drawer.
Ingredients MEA C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate; MEA laureth sulfate; C10-16 alketh and/or C12-18 alcohols ethoxylated; propylene glycol; glycerin; MEA salts of C12-18 fatty acids; polyethyleneimine alkoxylated; PEG-136 polyvinyl alcohol; tetrasodium glutamate diacetate; may contain PEG propylene glycol terephthalic acid polymer; MEA-citrate; sodium bisulfite; hydrogenated castor oil; disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate; may contain zeolite; methyl di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate; subtilisin; amylase enzyme; mannanase enzyme; cellulase enzyme; styrene/acrylates copolymer; denatonium benzoate; polyvinyl alcohol polymer; colorants; fragrances; water
Ingredients C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, sodium laureth sulfate, water, glycerin, sodium and MEA-cocoate, propylene glycol, MEA-LAS, aziridine, polyvinyl alcohol based film, ethanol, sodium sulfite, disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate, denatonium benzoate
Ingredients C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated; MEA-LAS; water; glycerin; propylene glycol; MEA-cocoate; PEG-10; polyvinyl alcohol based film; sodium laureth sulfate; ethanol; fragrances; polyethyleneimine alkoxylated; tetrasodium iminodisuccinate; hydrophobically modified acrylate/styrene copolymer; disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate; sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate; protease enzyme; denatonium benzoate; colorants; amylase enzyme; mannanase enzyme. Contains fragrance allergen(s).
How Much HE Detergent to Use
Measure liquid detergent using the lines inside the cap based on your load size and how dirty the load is. HE detergents are concentrated, so using more than the cap line calls for won't get clothes cleaner. It only makes extra suds and leaves residue.
Keeping an HE Washer From Smelling
HE front-loaders hold moisture in the rubber door seal, which can lead to odors if the drum stays damp. To keep your washer from smelling, wipe the door seal and leave the door open between loads so the drum can dry. Run a cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner about once a month, following the package directions. Look for Tide Washing Machine Cleaner With Oxi pouches or our store-brand Signature SELECT Washing Machine Cleaner.
Ingredients Taed (Blue Magic), Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate, Poloxamer 338, Sodium Sulfate, Fragrance, Additional Ingredients: Zeolite, Polymers, Sodium Orthosilicate, Mineral Oil, Sodium Silicoaluminate.
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FAQ
What does HE mean on laundry detergent?
HE stands for high efficiency. The small "he" symbol on the bottle, box or bag means the formula is low-sudsing, so it rinses out cleanly in the small amount of water an HE washer uses.
Can you use HE Tide in a regular washing machine?
Yes. Tide HE liquid works in a regular washing machine too. You'll see fewer suds than with regular detergent, and that doesn't mean less cleaning.
What happens if you use regular detergent in an HE washer?
Regular detergent makes too many suds for the small amount of water in an HE washer. Those suds cushion clothes so they do not get as clean, can leave residue, and over time can leave buildup that smells musty. The extra suds can also make the washer add rinses or stop with an error.
Are laundry pods HE?
Most pacs on our shelves carry the HE mark and are made for HE machines, including Gain flings, which says "HE Compatible" on the label. Put one pac for a normal load into the empty drum first before adding clothes, and do not put it in the dispenser drawer.
Is HE detergent more concentrated?
HE detergents are concentrated, so measure with the lines inside the cap by load size and how dirty the load is. More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes in an HE washer, and extra detergent makes suds and residue.
Why does my HE washer smell?
HE front-loaders hold moisture in the rubber door seal, and using regular detergent or extra detergent can also leave buildup that smells musty over time. To keep it from smelling, wipe the door seal, leave the door open between loads so the drum can dry, and run a cleaning cycle about once a month following the package directions with Tide Washing Machine Cleaner With Oxi or Signature SELECT Washing Machine Cleaner.
