I have the Sears Kenmore energy star rated high efficiency front loader (mine's a 2002) and I use natural soap to wash my clothes. They never mentioned what I should or shouldn't use when I bought it, or maybe they did and I tuned them out... Anyway, I use Aubrey Organics' Earth Aware cleanser. Soap and herbs. Works great. I also have a water softener as my well water is fairly hard (though I make sure it's a low level of softener as I know that it's healthier to drink harder water).

Those laundry discs didn't work for me, and they're quite expensive.

Here's what I found out about them:

Consumer Reports tested laundry disks from the Real Goods catalog, and came to the following conclusion in the February 1995 issue of Consumer Reports: "We don't think the disks are worth it. If they unleashed an "electromagnetic wave" in the wash, we sure couldn't tell from the results. The disks performed no better than plain water in our tests for stain removal and brightening, not even when we added a bit of detergent, as the instructions advise." The tests were conducted at the University of Utah Department of Physics and an independent chemistry lab, San Rafael Chemical Services of Salt Lake City. Several laundry disk manufacturers and marketers have come under legal fire for making unsubstantiated claims. TradeNet Marketing, Inc. of Dunedin FL, a large manufacturer of laundry balls, has been forced to pay substantial legal settlements in several states for making claims which could not be independently verified. TradeNet was ordered to pay the Oregon Department of Justice $190,000 and was fined $10,000 by the Utah Division of Consumer Practice.

They may show decent results for a few loads, as the detergent residue left over from previous washings will continue to work until it is eliminated from the clothes. However, over time clothes will become dingy.

Here's more: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_007b.html

and here:
http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/localshows/dontwasteyourmoney/20bfe412.html

I have a Bosch Nexxt Front Loader and I find that Bi-o-kleen Premium Powder is the best detergent that i have tried. If things are extra dirty throw in a 1/2 cup of borax. With non-petroleum based laundry detergents you'll probably find you dont need fabric softener either, more money saved and better for you too!

I have a 3 year old Kenmore Elite front loading washer and have been using Seventh Generation's Free and Clear liquid laundry detergent and am happy with its performance. I have never used the Max amount level of detergent, not even with very large loads. About 1/3 of the fill cup seems about right with normal size loads.

Seventh Generation now makes a high efficiency version of their Free and Clear laundry detergent which I have have using successfully in my front loading washing machine for the past couple months. I purchased it at Whole Foods. I called the company and according to them it does contain a small amount of petroleum. I tolerate it very well even thought I have mcs and am reactive to almost all mainstream laundry products even second hand. It works well and is completely fragrance free.

I got a Kenmore HE front loader 11 months ago. I contacted Seventh Generation as the only HE detergent I could find from them was scented. They told me they are working on an unscented HE detergent, and didn't recommend I use their regular unscented detergent in a HE washing machine. I found ecoVantage powdered detergent at a local appliance store. It works for me, but I'm not as sensitive as many people with MCS. Check out www.amappliancegroup.com or 800 837-0994.

Trader Joe's has a product. I use it in my Eurotech and am satisfied. They have great prices for everything.

kwd

We use Country Save detergent www.countrysave.com and I really like it. It is very inexpensive and has just a tiny bit of scent that most people (I am chemically sensitive, so I notice everything!) would not notice.

I have beem trying to find a msds for a tide he low suds laundry detergent in my travels I got to this site best info so far. I have an Asko front load so far Shaklee basic l works for me. I will be looking into the products mentioned here. thanks.

Does anyone know if these products also work on delicates in a HE washer? I have a new HE Tromm front loader and love it. I like to put hand washables in the machine but have not tried using the regular detergent on it. Using Seventh Generation Free and Clear currently - interested to try Method's HE soap as it is cheaper.

HI Debra, Lauren here. I have a Bosch front loading and I use the Seventh Generation brand (Free and Clear), I use literally a few tablespoon as it doesn't need much detergent. When I had the GE brand, the one with the agitator, I remember using half a cup of detergent minimum to get things clean. These front loading machines are awesome, use little water, little detergent and my laundry is cleaner than before and it's much more gentler on the clothes. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have MCS & am extremely sensitive. I tolerate the All Free & Clear very well. No smells at all and it has been endorsed by the American Lung Association for asthmatics & those w/lung disease. I was going to buy the HE washing machine but having MCS must prewash my new/exposed clothes many times w/a degreaser (like Palmolive) and lemon juice or vinegar to rid the clothing of pesiticides, perfumes, etc. before wearing. I was told I could not use those products in my HE machine so I had to stick w/a top loader. I contacted Tide a few years ago and they were wonderfully honest sharing information with me about the carcinogens in their product and how they were not regulated by the FDA and, therefore, were allowed to have them in their product. It was then that I began to search for a healthier detergent that kept my clothing very clean & white.

I have a HE front loading washing machine and for my hand-wash/delicates I use a product from Ecover. I don't remember the exact name of the product, but it can be used in HE machines and is for hand wash laundry. I've been using for about a year and it seems to work very well.

Wool and silk are damaged by Oxy-bleach and washing soda. Hand washables can be washed in a front loader with a liquid "HE" detergent or soap. Try to use very little. The less dirt there is, the less detergent is needed. If you see more than a few bubbles, you have added too much. If there are bubbles durring the final rinse, set it to rinse again.

I have heard other people say that they can use any detergent in their frontloader that they want, they just use a tiny amount (like a Tablespoon or less) and rinse really well. It seems to work okay for me if I use a non-low sudsing soap once in a while, but I have to be careful because it will build up in the machine and clothes if everything isn't rinsed really well and if I do it frequently or use too much soap.

We have a front loading high efficiency washer by Bosch. I'm really impressed with it.

We use Nature Clean All Natural Laundry Powder along with Nature Clean All Natural Oxygen Bleach (which is just powdered hydrogen peroxide) and vinegar.

For delicates, I use Melaleuca Original Antibacterial Liquid Soap and vinegar. It works jim-dandy.

I have the Whirlpool Duet HT frontloader and use ECOS Laundry Detergent. It has direction on the back of the jug that state "For HE front loader, use half the amount". I did contact Seventh Generation as I had just opened a new box of their detergent when we both the frontloader to question how much detergent I should use. They stated that the soap poweder should NOT be used in a front loader as it will bleach the clothes. Graciously, they sent me a free bottle of liquid detergent.

Bi-O-Kleen granular laundry detergent works very well in my front loader. I use 1/4 scoop.

We have had a Kenmore frontloader or 2 or 3 years and have used various combinations of Oasis Laundry Biocompatible detergent, EM Technologies (look for EMNatural Laundry Soap (diluted with water), vinegar, and Ecover non choline bleach with good results.

I have a Frigidaire front load HE machine. I make my own laundry soap using Fels Naptha, washing soda and borax. It cleans just as well as the ECO that I was using, at a fraction of the cost!

I was reading my prior comment about laundry soap, and since then have had to replace my Sears Kenmore front loader (it was only 4 1/2 years old). The Sears repair guy told me how many service calls he gets on that machine. Argh. So, I replaced it with a Kenmore Elite Oasis HE washer. It's a top loader with a large capacity, and still very energy efficient (qualifies for the Energy Star rebate). So far so good. I really like it. Just wanted to pass this info along to anyone who might be in the market for a washer.

All the best,

Amy

Shaklee has a New Laundry product out now. It's for HE washers.
If you have any questions. feel free to contact me.

acjelinek@comcast.net

I use Country Save and it works very well. I have also used Charlie's Soap . There is a good detergent chart for HE detergents at www.diaperjungle.com/he-detergent-chart.html

I have a Kenmore Front Loading washer and have used pretty much any type of detergent, but in smaller quantities. Even when I had a top loading washer, I only used 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent after realizing how much residue is left in the clothes. I discovered it while washing baby diapers. When they started to smell, I ran them through a wash with no detergent and yet my washer was filled with suds! As soon as I started using 1/2 amounts, things were fine. I lived in Europe for a while and had a European front loader and used my regular American detergent (Wisk at the time) with no problems - just using smaller quantities.

Right now, I've been using Ecover Liquid Detergent, again only 1/2 the recommended amount and it works great. For delicates, I either use the Ecover Wool Wash or Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap. I LOVE the way my delicates come out smelling like lavender when I use that!

I have been reading about the high efficiency washers. It seems that the high efficiency detergent is what triggers me to have difficulties. Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone know what is in the high efficiency detergent that might set me off? Thanks.

Of course, suds have noting to do with the efficacy of the detergent.

Anyway we love Soap Nuts (Soap Berries). Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry Tree (Sapindus mukorrosi), related to the lychee, They contain saponin, an all-natural surfactant. The natural surfactant works like the poison ones by breaking the surface tension of water so it can more easily penetrate into fabrics, effectively making water “wetter". But the saponins are healthful to people, pets and environment, some folks use them for household and personal care cleaning also.

Skye

I've been using Wintree Laundry Soap, about a third of the recommended amount for washers with a third cup of white vinegar in the rinse. I'm wondering now if I might be using a bit too much. Thanks all of you for your comments!
Sadie

I've been using Wintree Laundry Soap, about a third of the recommended amount for washers with a third cup of white vinegar in the rinse. I'm wondering now if I might be using a bit too much. Thanks all of you for your comments!
Sadie

I've been using Wintree Laundry Soap, about a third of the recommended amount for washers with a third cup of white vinegar in the rinse. I'm wondering now if I might be using a bit too much. Thanks all of you for your comments!
Sadie

I've been using Charlie's Soap for about 6 months in my front loading machine and love it. This is a very gentle detergent that doesn't deposit ANYTHING on the clothes. I use it for everything - grubby jeans and delicate silks. It actually leaves clothes soft without fabric softeners, as there is no residue left in the clothes. (It may take one or two launderings to remove all the old detergent residue in your clothes.)

You can buy this locally in some areas, but I buy it online. At 1 tablespoon per use, it's also economical. (I think the liquid suggests 2 tablespoons per use. I use the powder.)

I think there is information on the website about the greenness of the product. I only know that it doesn't bother my chemical sensitivities. The site is charliesoap.com.

I'm not affiliated with the company - I found out about it on another online site.

I also have a Whirlpool duet front loading washer and I also use Ecos Laundry soap. I have been very happy with it. It has a slight scent but my husband is very sensitive to scented things and hasn't had a problem with it. I follow the directions on the back for HE and it's always worked great for me.

I also use Charlie's after reading about it here, in fact. I love it for the cleanliness of clothes in my front loader and cost effectiveness. And, they provide free shipping when you order from their website, so it really is only pennies a load. I am about to start using it in my dishwasher as well, as I read a user comment on Charlie's website that had tried and loved it for the dishwasher. The only thing I have found is that it claims to eliminate static cling, and I have not found that to be true. There seems to be less static, but it is still there, especially now in the heart of Minnesota winter.

I have a new 6600 & 6400 Cabrio Whirlpool washer & dryer. I am a bit frustrated. I did not realize I could not use my Delicare or Woolite in my new machine for my handwashables. Whirlpool tells me, if I do, these products will ruin the sensors in the machine & probably shut the machine down. I'm desperately looking for products that are delicate enough for hand washables. I can find Tide HE @ the grocery store, but that is hard on your clothes & fades the color out. Can any one give me any info? Just a heads up, Consumer Report rated the washer NUMBER 1 for top loading washer........I can not see how a machine that does not allow the water level to cover the clothes while washing can possibly get the clothes clean. (This is what these over rated washer do!) I do want to be enviornmental good, but need to get my clothes clean without destroying them. Does any one know if Stanley or other home care companies have products for delicates that are HE? DEB

Deb,

I love my Charlie's Soap for my delicates. It is very gentle, yet cleans well enough that I use it for all of my laundry. You can buy it locally in a few states, though I bought mine online from the website. I went through a few of their smaller packages - 1 quart size that lasts me about 3 months, then went ahead and bought a 5 gallon bucket that will do 1280 loads. It only requires 1 tablespoon per load.

I don't work for the company, but am delighted to have found a "special needs" product that works well and costs less than the mainstream products. I refer to is as special needs because it is fragrance free, which is a requirement for me.

I use Charlies soap and love it. Made the switch 4 months ago when I switched to cloth diapers. A gallon lasted a family of 6 over 4 months with washing the cloth diapers too!! I haven't had ANY issues with stains, etc....(4 small children...)and dh who works in manufacturing. I have a kenmore he4t.
Good luck.

We have been using ECOS liquid laundry detergent made by Earth Friendly Products for over 8 years and cannot be more delighted by what a wonderful product it is! ECOS has always been a double concentrated detergent (2X), has always been formulated for HE washers, and has always had fabric softener in it. I use just 2 Tablespoons per load (1 oz)for my front loader, so the a large bottle goes a long way! And I don't have to buy fabric softener or worry about residue in my lint filter from a dryer sheet. The clothes smell great, are soft and clean. And with 2 boys participating in practically every sport they can, I have lots of laundry experience!

I use Nellie's Laundry Nuggets. They are made in Canada, but you can get them online. I have MCS and tolerate them very well and they are very convienient.
Check out www.nellieslaundry.com

Note: don't get their dryerballs if you have MCS. They smell real bad of plastic!

Has anybody tried the soap berries? I have nt seen them yet. I was just curious how well the cleaned?

Melaleuca, a company that sells directly to customers, specializes in products that are good for the environment. They market a high efficiency laundry product that is 6x concentrated (Tide is only 2x). I have been using Melaleuca since 2004 and have been extremely pleased with their quality.

Hello. I have a water softener in my home which is a necessity because our area has very hard water (installing the water softener was one of the best things I ever did!) I had an old Maytag top loading washing machine and never had a problem with my laundry. For some reason, the liquid laundry detergents never dissolved well, so I used a powder (Cheer Free with color guard). Because of the water softener, I used only 25% of the recommended amount of detergent, and my clothes came out clean, soft and beautiful. My mom (who didn’t have a water softener), would come to my house to do her laundry because she said the clothes turned out so nice. About 2 years ago I purchased a Kenmore Elite HE 5t front-loading washing machine and matching dryer, and my clothes are suffering ever since, so much that I have even thought of buying an older top loading washing machine again. The machine uses much less water (and I have seen the savings in my water bills) and from everything I’ve read using less water doesn’t negatively affect the clothing, so I can only guess my problem is the detergent I am using (Tide HE liquid). My clothes come out clean but are definitely not soft. Also, even though I wash things inside out, the fabric surface appears to be wearing. Any advice?

Hi, I have an HE machine and use Charlie's Soap. It is for HE or regular machines. It works great and has no odor. The price is good too. I buy it from www.charliesoap.com

I found it on Debra Lynn Dadd's website.