Let’s be honest, No matter how expensive your washer is, you are less likely to get the desired results if you are not using the right detergent.
It may be the best and most sophisticated washer on this planet, it will still need a good detergent to deliver the right results.
A washing machine is simply a device that saves manual effort by performing tumbling action (in case of Front-Loaders) OR by Rotating back and forth (in case of Top-Loaders).
The real trick is in the detergent that you use.
Furthermore, selecting the wrong detergents can not only make your washer inefficient but also reduce the lifespan of your washer in some cases.
Lastly, To make matters worse, there are tons of detergents to choose from, which also means there is a problem of choice.
There will always be a problem of choice in selecting a specific brand of detergent, but we can certainly be sure of the type of detergent to use.
In this article you will learn:
- What does detergent mean?
- The difference between Top-Load and Front-Load detergents
- Learn to select the right type of detergent
- And more…
What are detergents?
Detergent in layman language refers to a soap-like compound used for cleaning clothes and fabric.
Technically, a soap-like compound does not mean soap.
The main difference between a detergent and a soap is their chemical composition. Detergents are either sodium salts of long-chain alkyl hydrogen sulphate OR a long chain of benzene sulphonic acid (1). Whereas, soaps are sodium OR Potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.
When we talk about Laundry detergents, it simply refers to a solution that has been formulated to clean clothes and fabric by either using a washing machine OR through manual effort.
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There are mainly two types of detergents:
- Liquid: Liquid Detergents are highly concentrated. You simply need to use the appropriate dosage for cleaning clothes by either using a washer or through manual effort.
- Powder: These detergents are in powdered form and are equally effective.
Both liquid and powdered detergents are further categorized into High-Efficiency Detergent and Standard Detergent.
High-efficiency Detergents are usually used by HE Washer which has much higher RPM than Non-HE washers. Standard detergents, on the other hand, are either used by Non-HE washing machines OR for manual wash.
Having said that HE detergents can still be used in Non-HE washers by increasing the quantity of detergents per wash.
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Difference between front load and top load detergents
The main difference between a front load and a top-load detergent is their chemical composition. High-Efficiency Detergents are formulated to produce less lather or suds, thereby making them suitable to work with High-Efficiency washers. Standard Detergents, on the other hand, produce lots of suds or lather as they are not formulated to work with High-Efficiency washers.
One of the easy ways to differentiate a High-Efficiency detergent from a Standard detergent is to look for a HE mark. Almost all High-Efficiency Detergents these days have a HE mark on the detergent pack.
Let’s take a quick look at the table below to understand the major differences between a HE Detergent and a Standard Detergent.
| High-Efficiency Detergents | Standard Detergents |
| Produce less lather (Suds) | Produce lots of suds |
| Designed for High-Efficiency Washer | Works with Non-HE washer and also used for manual wash |
| Produces less residue | Residue builds up in the washer |
| Cleans better even with less suds | Requires suds to clean better |
| HE Detergents are expensive | Less expensive as compared to HE Detergents |
| Easy on your washer | A High-Efficiency washer will struggle to complete the washing cycle |
| Not Suitable for Hand Wash | Suitable for Hand Wash |
| Can be used by any type of washer | Cannot be used HE Washers |
Note: Suds simply means foam OR Lather produced through detergents during the washing cycle.
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Can we use top load detergent in a front loader?
No, Top-Load detergents are not recommended to be used in front loaders.
Since most Front-Load washers are High-Efficiency, it requires a low sudsing solution to clean dirt and residues. Pouring a standard detergent in HE Washer will only make it inefficient by prolonging the washing cycle. At times, your HE washer can even overflow if there are excess suds, as it confuses the working mechanism.
At times, your washing machine may also show a ‘SUDS’ error in the display panel and even stop the washing cycle for a while. These errors occur usually when you are using unsuitable detergent OR when too much detergent is used.
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Can we use front load detergent in a top loader?
Yes, Technically you can use a Front-Load detergent in Top-Loaders as there is no harm in doing that. However, you will need to increase the quantity of detergent for a washing cycle.
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Can we use the hand wash detergent in Washing Machine?
No, It is not recommended to use a hand wash detergent in washing machines; this is because they produce a lot of Suds. Excess Suds produced through a hand wash detergent may confuse the washer and prolong the washing cycle. It may even give an error in the display panel.
Furthermore, detergents for washing machines are formulated to mix well and leave a limited amount of residue behind. Using hand wash detergents may leave a large amount of residue and fillers behind after a washing cycle, which can further damage your washing machine as it just builds up over time.
READ: How to troubleshoot a Portable Washing Machine?
Final Thoughts
Be very specific in using suitable detergents.
If you are using a Front-Loader always use High-Efficiency Detergents and if you are using a Top-Loader, use a detergent designed specifically for a Top-Loading washer.
It’s always a good practice to use Liquid detergents, as they act quickly in different water types (example: Hard and Soft water). Always refer to the instruction manuals and recommendations from the manufacturer for any confusion.
If you are unsure about any kind of technicalities, always take the expert’s advice. Additionally, you can also visit our FAQ section where we may have already answered queries related to the washing machine.
