We’ve been using a top-loader for the past 17 years (or something like it), but after shifting home, we figured we might as well get a new one. So we bought a new one, a front-loader this time.
Now, the user manual for this machine says that we should use “front-loader detergent” only. Is there really a difference in top-loader and front-loader detergents, or is this a weak attempt to force me to buy a certain kind of expensive detergent only (because I noticed in the stores that the front-loader detergents were more expensive than the others)?
Our laundromat uses front loaders & we can use any kind of soap we want, but they say only ONE load measure of soap, but they are double loaders. too much soap & it comes out the top of the machine.
There is also a ‘how do you do your laundry’ topic in IMHO forum & you might want to ask them.
I have a Whirlpool Duet front loader and they recommend using “High Efficiency” detergent. I’ve been using standard detergent (about 1/4 of the recommended amount, and about half of what I used to use in a top loader) with almost no problems. The machine does sometimes give me an “F09” error, but it hasn’t yet been determined if the detergent is the cause (the manufacturer wasn’t much help), and since it generally occurs towards the end of the cycle, when pretty much all the soap has been purged from the machine, I doubt that’s the problem.
Commercial washing machines are a different animal; they need to cope with people abusing them, so need to be built to survive just about anything. Modern residential front loaders are super-efficient electronic wonders, with sensors everywhere, and may be somewhat more delicate.
We got a new, high-efficiency front loader a few months only to discover it was hard to find the high efficiency detergent (look for the HE symbol on the label). after several emails and calls to both the manufacturer and Proctor and Gamble, they both admitted somewhat grudgingly that we could get our clothes clean without all the foam by using half the recommended amount. It works pretty well, but sometimes we need to pre-treat the heavier stains.
The liquid HE detergent is more available than the powder around here, so when we need to use liquid, we do use the genuine stuff.
One nit to pick: it’s Procter & Gamble. But lot’s of people get that wrong.
I was a little underwhelmed by the info here. I’d suggest either using less detergent or using a non-synthetic, something like Dreft or Ivory Snow, which are made from Soap flakes and tend to have a lot less suds (and are easier on your skin, hence they are often targeted at mothers of young children).
I’ll also check with some people I know on if they have anything better in the works. Top loaded washers are used almost exclusively in Europe, because of their smaller footprint (floor space used), more efficient use of water, etc. Still gaining popularity here in the states, but the lack of availability of proper detergents can’t help.
I assume you meant front, not top. Front loaders are definintely becoming more popular here, but there is still a paucity of models compared with top loaders. I don’t believe that detergent availability is affecting sales significantly (although I have no cite to back that up).
I bought my front loader several months ago from Sears. At the same time I picked up a medium-sized bucket of the Sears-brand HE detergent, which lasted me until a few weeks ago. I’m not dragging myself clear to Sears just to buy detergent, so I went out looking for HE detergent at the supermarket. My mom was shopping with me and told me that her first washer was a front loader – back in the '60s. At that time, they were told to use All or Dash in front loading machines. Dash is now extinct, but there was a box of All at the market – although it had no mention on the label about high efficiency or front load washers. There was also some Tide HE there – but the All was much cheaper, so I bought that. I kept the little scoop from the Sears HE bucket, though and I’ve been using that instead of the bigger scoop that came in the All – the little scoop is equal to about half of the bigger one. This is working fine – no suds and my clothes are still getting clean. AND, my 80-load box wil last 160 loads. In fact, when I’ve used up the All, I’m going to give my old, pre-front-loader brand a try, using the smaller scoop. I used to use Gain, which I liked and which is wicked cheap.
I’ve had a front loader for about three-four years now - one of the earlier Maytag Neptune models. It’s a great machine, and I love it - it’s from before Maytag gave the Neptunes fancy electronic controls, which I don’t care for.
Until last year, I used Tide HE. Then, my dryer died and had to be replaced. I was talking with the salesperson at the local Maytag store, and he told me something interesting - you don’t HAVE to use HE detergent in a front loading machine. According to him, especially in areas where the water tends to be somewhat hard, you’re better off using regular detergent; just use half as much as the package/bottle says to. (It’s also a cost savings).
I’ve been using regular liquid Tide in my front loader for about the last six months, and have noticed that there is considerably less ‘scummy buildup’ in the detergent dispensing compartment, and there’s been no change in the performance of the washer - my clothes are just as clean.
I’ve been really happy with the sales/repair people from Maytag itself as compared with, say, Sears. Several times they’ve saved us money by advising us how to make minor repairs ourselves (rather than trying to sucker us into buying a new machine or charging $$$, both things Sears tried to do to us) and selling us small parts at cost.