Can You Use Eco-Friendly Detergent in HE Washers? The Compatibility Guide
Author: Kay Baker, MS, OTR/L | CEO & Co-Founder, Green Llama
Reviewed by: Matthew Keasey, Ph.D. | Chief Science Officer, Green Llama
Last Updated: February 2026
Can You Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent in High-Efficiency (HE) Washers?
Yes, eco-friendly laundry detergent works in high-efficiency (HE) washing machines. In fact, most eco-friendly detergents are naturally well-suited for HE washers because they tend to be low-sudsing, concentrated formulas - exactly what HE machines are designed for. HE washers use significantly less water than traditional top-loaders, which means they require detergent that cleans effectively without producing excessive foam. Plant-based, concentrated eco-friendly detergents meet this requirement by default.
One of the most common questions Green Llama's customer service team gets is some version of: "I just bought a new front-load washer. Can I still use your laundry powder?"
The answer is a confident yes. And honestly, the pairing makes a lot of sense.
Here's why eco-friendly detergent and HE washers are a natural match - and the specific things to keep in mind.
Why HE Washers Need Different Detergent
High-efficiency washers (both front-loading and HE top-loading models) operate fundamentally differently from traditional top-loaders.
Less water. HE machines use about 40-50% less water per cycle than conventional washers. This is great for water conservation and energy savings, but it means there's less water to dilute and rinse out detergent. Any detergent that produces heavy suds in a traditional washer will create an over-sudsing problem in an HE machine.
Tumbling action vs. agitator. Front-load HE washers clean through tumbling - the drum rotates, lifting clothes through a shallow pool of water and dropping them back down. This mechanical action is gentler on fabrics but relies on the detergent being fully dissolved and active at lower water volumes. Excessive suds actually cushion the tumbling action and reduce cleaning effectiveness.
Longer cycles with less water contact. HE machines compensate for less water with longer, more sophisticated wash cycles. The detergent needs to maintain cleaning activity throughout the cycle without building up foam that triggers the machine's anti-suds sensors (which add extra rinse cycles, wasting water and energy).
This is why detergents designed for HE washers are labeled "HE compatible" - they're formulated to be low-sudsing and effective at lower water volumes.
Why Eco-Friendly Detergent and HE Washers Work Well Together
Here's where eco-friendly formulas have a genuine advantage:
Naturally low-sudsing. Plant-based surfactants like sodium coco-sulfate and decyl glucoside tend to produce less foam than petroleum-derived surfactants. This isn't a weakness - it's actually ideal for HE machines. Suds don't equal cleaning power. The surfactant is still reducing surface tension and lifting dirt, just without the big foam show.
Concentrated formulas. Most eco-friendly detergents (Green Llama's laundry powder included) are concentrated, meaning you use less product per load. Less product + less water = efficient cleaning without residue buildup.
No fillers or thickeners. Conventional liquid detergents often contain thickening agents and fillers that contribute to residue buildup in HE machines. Eco-friendly formulas - especially powders - tend to have cleaner ingredient lists without these unnecessary additives.
Better cold water performance. HE washers are often paired with cold water cycles for maximum energy efficiency. Eco-friendly detergents with enzyme-based formulas are actually optimized for cold water, making them a perfect match for the energy-saving settings most HE owners prefer.
How to Use Eco-Friendly Detergent in Your HE Machine
Dosing. The most important rule: use less than you think. HE machines need roughly half the detergent of a traditional washer. With a concentrated eco-friendly formula, start with the lowest recommended dose and adjust up only if you're not getting the results you want. Over-dosing is the #1 cause of residue problems in HE machines.
Powder vs. liquid. Both work in HE machines. Powder formulas should be placed directly in the drum (on top of or under clothes) for best dissolution in low-water cycles. Some HE machines have dispensers designed for liquid - check your manual. If using powder in a machine with only a liquid dispenser, placing the powder directly in the drum is perfectly fine.
Water temperature. Eco-friendly detergent with enzymes works well at any temperature, but cold water cycles (which most HE owners favor) are where enzyme-based formulas really shine. The enzymes are highly active at lower temperatures and deliver excellent stain removal without the energy cost of heating water.
Monthly maintenance wash. HE machines - particularly front-loaders - are prone to moisture buildup and residue in the rubber door gasket. Run a monthly maintenance cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to keep the drum fresh. Between loads, leave the door slightly open to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth.
Common HE + Eco-Friendly Detergent Questions
"My HE washer isn't getting clothes as clean. Is it the eco-friendly detergent?"
Probably not the detergent itself. The most common causes of poor cleaning in HE machines are overloading the drum (clothes need room to tumble), over-dosing detergent (creates residue that traps odors), and skipping maintenance washes (bacteria and mold buildup). Try reducing your load size and detergent dose before blaming the formula.
"I don't see suds. Is it working?"
Yes. This trips people up all the time. Suds are not a measure of cleaning power. They're a visual byproduct of air mixing with surfactant solution. Low-sudsing formulas clean just as effectively - they just do it without the foam. In fact, excess suds in an HE machine actually reduce cleaning performance by cushioning the tumbling action.
"My HE machine has a 'detergent type' setting. What do I choose?"
If your machine has an HE-specific detergent setting, use it. This optimizes water volume and rinse cycles for low-sudsing formulas. If it simply has "powder" vs. "liquid" options, choose accordingly based on your detergent format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eco-friendly laundry detergent safe for all HE washer brands?
Yes. Eco-friendly detergent that is low-sudsing and concentrated is compatible with all major HE washer brands, including Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Bosch. Whether front-loading or HE top-loading, the key requirements are the same: low suds, proper dosing, and no heavy fillers.
Do I need a special "HE" eco-friendly detergent?
Not necessarily. The "HE" label on detergent simply means it's low-sudsing and safe for high-efficiency machines. Most concentrated eco-friendly detergents - including Green Llama's laundry powder - meet this criteria naturally due to their plant-based formulation and concentrated dosing.
Can eco-friendly detergent cause buildup in HE machines?
Eco-friendly detergent is actually less likely to cause buildup than conventional alternatives because it typically contains fewer fillers, thickeners, and synthetic additives. Buildup in HE machines usually results from over-dosing (any detergent type), fabric softener residue, or insufficient maintenance cycles.
Should I use more eco-friendly detergent for heavily soiled loads in my HE washer?
Slightly more is okay for genuinely heavy soil, but don't exceed the maximum recommended dose. For very dirty loads, a better approach is using your machine's "heavy soil" or "extra rinse" setting rather than adding more detergent. Over-dosing creates more problems than it solves.
Does eco-friendly powder detergent dissolve properly in HE machines?
Quality concentrated powder detergents dissolve well in HE machines when placed directly in the drum. For best results, add the powder on top of clothes (or in the drum before loading) rather than in a dispenser designed for liquid. Cold water dissolves modern powder formulas without issue.
Dive Deeper into Eco-Friendly Laundry
- What Is Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent? Definition, Standards & What to Look For - Understand the category
- Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent vs. Regular: The Real Difference - Complete comparison
- Unveiling the Green: Spotlight on Green Llama's Laundry Powder - Our concentrated powder formula
- Why Your Clean Clothes Smell Sour (It's Bacteria, Not You) - HE machine odor issues solved
- The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent (And What to Avoid) - The complete resource
Kay Baker is the CEO and co-founder of Green Llama, a Leaping Bunny Certified, WBENC Certified women-owned sustainable cleaning company. Scientifically reviewed by Matthew Keasey, Ph.D., Green Llama's Chief Science Officer.
