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Cleaning Tips

The good, the bad, and the popular.

1 What Is High Efficiency Laundry Detergent?

America Fresh Laundry Detergents are HE & Regular.

Any laundry detergent or laundry product like stain removers, boosters and even fabric softeners with the HE symbol are formulated to be used in high efficiency washing machines like front load washers as well as top load washers. High efficiency washers – both front and top load – use much less water than an older standard washer. The HE detergents are developed as low-sudsing and quick dispersing cleaners for use in low water volume machines. HE detergents are developed to hold soil in suspension in that lower volume of water so it is not re-deposited onto clean clothes.

2 Why Do I Need To Use A High Efficiency Laundry Detergent?

Most of us grew up using a standard washer that pulled nearly 40 gallons / 150 L of water through a load of laundry during the wash and rinse cycles. Housewives wanted to see lots of bubbles because they thought that meant the clothes were getting clean.

Fortunately, the washer used enough water to rinse away all those suds. Even the newer standard top load washers use around 27 gallons / 102L of water to handle detergent/soil residue. However, high-efficiency washers use only 11GL / 40L to 14Gl / 52L of water.

Using a traditional laundry detergent in a high-efficiency washer will produce too many suds that can never be rinsed away.

Excess suds will interfere with the tumbling action in both types of high efficiency washers used to clean clothes. The use of traditional detergent with lots of suds can also cause the washers to leak, damage the electronic system of the washer and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.

The use of traditional detergents in HE washers also contributes to the growth of mold and the odor that can linger in the washer. There just isn’t enough water used in each load to wash away all the suds and the soil they contain and that sticky combination may cling to the washer. Those suds and the soil they contain are perfect breeding grounds for mold.

3 How Much High Efficiency Laundry Detergent Should I Use?

Most high efficiency washers have automatic detergent dispensers. Read your washer’s care and use guide on how to fill the dispensers. If you have lost the guide, you can find it here. Most will accept either powder or liquid detergents. Never mix the two in the same dispenser because caking and clogging can occur.

If you choose to use single unit detergent packs, those should be placed in the empty washer drum before adding the dirty laundry and water. Never place a laundry pod in a dispenser.

As with all detergents, take time to read the label and guidelines on how much to use per load. More is not always better! If there is one thing to remember in using a high efficiency washer, it is this:

For a normal size load of laundry, you need only 1 to 2 teaspoons of high-performing high efficiency detergent.
Use only one or two single-dose detergent units per load. One is sufficient unless the load is heavily soiled or super large.

If your high-efficiency detergent is not getting your clothes clean, do not simply add more. Overdosing only leads to more problems like stiff and scratchy fabrics, trapping of odor bacteria and streaks from redepositing soil. Instead switch to a better quality detergent. Yes, it will cost more but you can use less and avoid re-washing clothes.

4 Can I Use High Efficiency Laundry Detergent in a Standard Washer?

If you still have a standard washer and picked up a bottle labeled with the high efficiency symbol, you can use the high efficiency in a traditional top load washer with no problems.

You won’t see lots of suds but your clothes will still be clean.

Use no more than 1/4 cup high efficiency laundry detergent in a standard washer for a normal to large load. Use less if the load is lightly soiled or smaller.

5 How Biodegradable is America Fresh Laundry Detergents?

All Our Laundry Detergents are 95% Biodegradable

6 What’s the Deal With Phosphates?

Phosphates enter waterways from human and animal waste, phosphorus rich bedrock, laundry, cleaning, industrial effluents, and fertilizer runoff. These phosphates become detrimental when they over fertilize aquatic plants and cause stepped up eutrophication.

Eutrophication is the natural aging process of a body of water such as a bay or lake. This process results from the increase of nutrients within the body of water which, in turn, create plant growth. The plants die more quickly than they can be decomposed. This dead plant matter builds up and together with sediment entering the water, fills in the bed of the bay or lake making it more shallow. Normally this process takes thousands of years.

7 Sustainability

Since the beginning, the America Fresh team has made its green commitment a priority by developing non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate- free products, keeping our world clean for future generations.

With this in mind, we implemented a sustainable development approach for all the company.