Detergent for high efficiency machines.

[snozzleberry]

Hi there,
Has anyone had to alter or create a detergent recipe specifically for high efficiency washing machines? Does it make a difference on the formula? If so, can someone post a recipe? Thanks all.

 

[TanksHill]

I think most of use the standard laundry soap recipe for our HE machines. I make liquid/goop and just throw it in the front door.

g

 

[freemotion]

I've seen instructions to use the basic recipe but as a dry powder, a tablespoon per load.

 

[valmom]

I use the usual recipe in mine, but I like the powder better than the goop. I drizzle it in as the water is running to fill it. I probably use 2 tablespoons (mostly because one tbs seems so little! But, it doesn't suds much anyway, and it works.

 

[MorelCabin]

I use the powdered recipe in my HE machines too, have done so for years...and I also switch it up a bit and use other stuff that comes on sale. Right now i am using sunlight powder detergent...I sometimes use regular liquid in my HE machine as well. Never had a problem yet, and have had an HE machine since 1995. I'm on my second one now, bought it last year when we moved and left my old machine with the old house.
I don't believe what they say about needing HE soap...it is more expensive and comes in smaller quantities...I have NEVER once used it.

 

[valmom]

HE detergent is a marketing scam. It isn't necessary, just use less of whatever you normally use.

 

[Marianne]

Not having an HE machine, isn't the only thing is to use a non sudsing detergent? Like Valmom said, the homemade stuff doesn't suds up like the high dollar stuff.

And welcome!

 

[~gd]

HE detergent is a marketing scam. It isn't necessary, just use less of whatever you normally use.

Actually HE detergent is not a scam. First get your terms straight All the recipies I have seen for the home made products are SOAPS mixed with various laundry boosters. The big difference between soap and detergent in laundry is in hard water. soaps will form a fairly insoluble scum with the minerals in hard water while most detergents will not. The big weakness with HE machines is not the washing but the rinsing and soap scum makes it worse. Build up of soap scum on whites slowly goes to yellow and then light grey. Scum tends to mute colors. So if you have soft water for your laundry use the homemade stuff and remember that less is likely to work better than more. If you have hard water you will do better with a detergent frankly I use auto dishwasher deteregent powder at two teaspoons per load because the detergent is low suds and the bosters (phosphates) are better than borax or washing soda used in the homemade products. (I formulated laundry powders and auto dish detergent for 13 years and frankly you can use whatever you want, it isn't my concern,)~gd

 

[Marianne]

So if you have soft water for your laundry use the homemade stuff and remember that less is likely to work better than more. If you have hard water you will do better with a detergent frankly I use auto dishwasher deteregent powder at two teaspoons per load because the detergent is low suds and the bosters (phosphates) are better than borax or washing soda used in the homemade products. gd

Okay, you got my attention. I have hard water and have occasionally used auto dishwasher detergent in the 'whites'. Never thought about using it on colored clothes.

I think soap/detergent is another of the common misconceptions, like hay/straw and cement/concrete. I always knew that there was a difference between soap and detergent, just never took the time to find out what it was.

 

[Icu4dzs]

I have been using some laundry preparation from a company out of Canada called NORWEX. (A number of the more "enterprising" gals in my neck of the woods sells it at "parties" to which guys are NEVER invited. ) I have a brand new (well about a year now) front loader and only put in 1 tablespooon of it in the little drawer. Other than only one time (cleaning up the bathroom in the cellar where I brooded chicks that I had hatched in an incubator , I don't use bleach and have NEVER used fabric softener in it either. After discovering dryer balls, I've never had to use any fabric softener (which saves pollution of the water)

I get fairly hard water out here but have not had any problems simply using a very small amount. The company says it is very "concentrated" (what ever that really means) and only to use a very small amount...so I use the 1 Tbs.

I've been doing ok with it so far. Anyone ever use this NORWEX stuff too? How about you folks in Canada? Any idea?