WHY "HE"

While the need for High Efficiency (HE) detergent can easily identified, understanding why to use HE can be difficult. When it  comes to cleaning, the most powerful substance in the world is water. It has been referred to as the universal solvent. Given  sufficient time and quantities, water can and will get anything clean. Unfortunately, time and water are limited resources in today’s world. This is where the use of soaps or detergents helps water perform more effectively.

Detergents are compounds that help water penetrate soils and stains. One end of the detergent molecule binds to the water molecules while the other end binds to the soil or grease that needs to be removed. This linking action allows water to hold the loosened soil in suspension and helps the dirt from getting back on the cloths. Detergents also help to decrease the surface tension of the water. With this reduced tension, the water can more easily penetrate the fabric fibers so it can loosen soils and stains for easy removal.

Water temperature has an effect on cleaning performance. Most detergents need water that is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit to be effective. Even with the new detergents that are being formulated to be effective in cold water, an ATC (automatic temperature control) cold setting or a warm water wash setting may be best for cleaning performance.

The biggest difference with HE laundry is the reduction of the water amount that is used. The majority of detergents on the market are designed and advertised for the conventional top-load laundry product. A conventional top-load laundry product will use over twenty gallons of water for one fill alone. Compare to a HE unit that uses no more than six gallons of water per fill. If you use the same amount of detergent in the front load unit as the top load, it will result in a significantly more concentrated mixture of water and detergent. This higher concentration can produce excessive sudsing

Most people equate detergent suds with cleaning power when the facts support just the opposite. One of the factors that allow water to remove soil from clothing is mechanical action. If mechanical action didn't improve cleaning effectiveness there would be no use for agitators or tumblers. As the fabrics circulate around the tub and rub against the machine components and each other, the soil is loosened and freed to become suspended in the water. Excessive suds act as a cushion between the different articles of clothing. This reduces the effectiveness of mechanical action.

The creation of suds is even more dramatic in a front load machine. As the laundry is tumbled in the bottom of the spinner, air is folded in with the fabric and detergent solution. The amount of air drawn into the water and the resulting suds is so great and has such a negative effect on cleaning performance; most machines have incorporated detection systems to deal with excessive suds. With only the bottom few inches filled with water, suds deposits in the upper tub may dry in place and leave residue behind.

Is the solution to use less detergent? Yes to a point. The amount of detergent will reduce sudsing but will also reduce cleaning effectiveness. The best solution is to use detergent designed for proper performance in reduced water levels. These detergents are most often indicated with the designation of “HE”. This is not the same as “HE compatible”. While not as numerous as standard detergents, they are readily available in supermarkets, chain stores and on-line. “HE”detergents are specially formulated for use with low water levels. Not only are these detergents designed for low suds production, they are also formulated suspend the soil in the water.

Cloths come out of high efficiency machines cleaner than they would out of the washing machine that was replaced. This all depends on what goes in the unit in the first place. “HE” detergent is a key ingredient that is need to insure that you the customer gets the most out if the high efficacy machine that you decide to invest in.

Front Load Washing Machines & High Efficiency Detergent