HE Washer Detergent

Updated on December 04, 2009
L.S. asks from Northville, MI
43 answers

Dreft does not work in my HE washer, does anyone know of an HE brand of detergent that works and safe for a newborn?

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So What Happened?

You guys are wonderful! I'm going out this morning to buy some new detergent! Thanks for all of your input!

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A.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have been using All perfume and dye free for a while and that works well for us. We've since switched to dynamo perfume and dye free because it was on sale and we still haven't had a problem. A..

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L.L.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Melaleuca has wonderful products that work wonders in any type of washers, and all of Melaleuca are products are safe for newborns.

If you want more info call me at ###-###-####.

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K.S.

answers from Detroit on

My son developed severe rashes to most detergents. We took him to a few dermatologists before we found things that worked. The pediatric dermatologists did not recommend Dreft. THey recomend All or Tide - All Clear variety, which can be found in HE. They also recommended not using dryer sheets and mild soaps and lotions like Cera Ve and Cetaphil. Baby lotions are still full of chemicals - that is what makes them smell good.

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C.L.

answers from Detroit on

I'm not sure what HE is, but Trader Joe's has a brand of detergent that is gentle and cheap and with no scent.

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M.M.

answers from Detroit on

any detergent "works" in an HE so no worries, just use about 1/4 what you would in a front loader.

honestly I used tide he on my newborn cloths. extra rinse. no family history of allergies :)

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T.N.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L., I like to use Method's HE baby brand for my baby's clothes or Meijer's brand Naturals Especially for Baby HE. But, I have a caveat regarding front load washers. Mine is a Maytag HE washer and it uses a very small amount of water to do the washing. I used to put the manufacturer's recommended amount of HE detergent in my wash (which isn't much, I know). However, after almost 2 years of doing this, a fungus built up inside my washer and my towels and clothes started to smell like mildew. After many washes using bleach and even vinegar to remove the odor, it came back within a week. So, I researched on the net and came across a website that makes a product called "Purewasher" to remove the mildew. The instructions for Purewasher emphasizes that front load washers MUST use HE detergent. HE (high efficiency) means low sudsing. If you notice excessive suds in the washer with ANY detergent, then you are using too much detergent. This will lead to a build up of the fungus and you'll start experiencing mildew on the articles you wash. Detergent companies instruct users to use too much detergent so they can increase their profits...the more you use, the more you need to buy. You only need to use 1/4 of what the laundry soap instructions advise, unless your clothes are completely soiled, then use 1/3 of what the manufacturer advises. Overuse of detergents in your front load washer, including HE detergents, will also ruin a high speed spin bearing that spins the basket. The replacement and repair of the parts for this is very expensive. Purewasher emphasizes that we do not overuse the detergent. If you notice sudsing, cut back on the amount you use. Hope this helps for you and anyone out there experiencing the same problem. I have tried using bleach and also vinegar to remove the mildew odor from my clothes and machine. Within a week, the odor came back. So far, I've had the longest run (several months) without the odor since using the one time use of Purewasher. But, please don't find yourself in my situation...struggling to remove mildew. Cut back on the detergent and use HE in your front load washer.

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V.S.

answers from Lansing on

Even the dreft made my ultra sensitive daughter break out. My peditrican said that any deteregent wound be safe for most babies. We ended up using tide free because it did not cause her ezcema to get worse

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N.A.

answers from Lansing on

we use ALL free and clear. Anything that doesn't have perfumes sasy anything about for low allergens works.
I don't use Dreft

J.W.

answers from Detroit on

This is the best stuff out there. Ecos Laundry Detergent, see it at this link: http://www.ecos.com/pages/ecosliquid.html

I only use a 'drizzle' in my HE and it works wonders and the bottle lasts FOREVER. It's good for the environment and your skin.

I am sure you can get it at Whole Foods or a larger natural foods store.

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C.G.

answers from Detroit on

Tide and Purex both have free and clear versions that are safe for newborns and have the HE logo on the bottle.

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L.H.

answers from Detroit on

Most any deterdent will be fine. We buy whatever Costco has for our LG.

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B.S.

answers from Detroit on

We've used Tide Free for HE Washer since my daughter was born (she's now almost 19 mths). We also put our washer on extra rinse and she's never had any allergic reactions to it. Good luck in your search!

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V.K.

answers from Saginaw on

We have an LG front loader that uses "strictly" HE detergent, but we have used Dreft in it just fine for a year now. Dreft now even has a more concentrated version so you use less detergent. We have not had an issue with the cleanliness of the baby laundry and our washer is working perfectly even though Dreft is not HE. You might just try it. The HE detergent is simply designed to use less detergent and create less sudsing in the wash load, meaning less rinsing and hence, "high efficiency." Your washer may just rinse a little longer. Ours doesn't seem to need to. Good luck to you!

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M.D.

answers from Detroit on

I use all clear free HE. works great.

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I am not sure of what an HE is, but have you tried Method brand? I love it and it is safer for the environment as well. Seventh Generation is another great brand. Both are found at Target and very safe for newborns.

Plus, Method does offer a fabric softener as well. (you can use it in the downy ball if you want to.)

It is all I use at home and for my practice so no one will have a reaction. (so many have skin conditions, this is the safest way!)

Good luck! ;)

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C.L.

answers from Saginaw on

All free and clear or any of the perfume free dye free detergents. You can actually use Dreft if you want or whatever you want, just use less (about 1/2) so it doesn't oversuds.
Had an HE for a long time, HE detergent is fine, but I sometimes think the HE soap is just a way to get you to buy another one of their products.
Good luck,
C.

PS- Both my kids did fine without specific :baby: soaps. Just use the dye free-perfume free.

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A.L.

answers from Lansing on

All makes a free and clear HE now.

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B.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Any detergent will work as long at it is "free", that would be perfumes and color...I personally used ALL FREE, not the kids stuff and both of my kids were fine.

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

I also have a front load washer and I have always deluted the draft detergent. The manual said you could use regular detergent just delute it half and half with water. I have not had any problems with my washer as of yet.

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J.L.

answers from Detroit on

HE tide works well and is safe for the baby

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L.C.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L. - I had the same concern because Dreft is not safe for HE washers - they Dreft website even says not to use it in HE washers. They suggest using Tide 2x Free (2x is the ultra concentrated). I haven't started using it yet because I still have some time before our second son is born but that is what I am going to do. I say any dye free, scent free HE detergent will probably work for the infant clothes.

L.

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D.G.

answers from Detroit on

I uses ALL free clear. My boys have senitive skin just like a lot of babies do and it works great. D.

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A.A.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My twins have very sensitive skin and we also have the HE washer/dryers. Tide Free & Sensitive seems to work great!

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L.C.

answers from Lansing on

someone bought me dreft when I had my son, I was shocked when i opened it and it had perfume in it! We have a HE front loader as well, we use an HE free and clear (i think it's tide) on all our sensitive skin. Our washer also has a sensitive skin rinse, but i only use it if i'm out of our clear stuff and have to use regular.

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L.N.

answers from Detroit on

I purchase ALL - HE, which is really resonable.
You can hand wash in dreft too, that may be an option.

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T.P.

answers from Detroit on

I use Tide Free He - no dyes or fragrances, so safe for baby. I have kept using it for my 2 1/2 year old and for us also, as I myself have sensitive skin and can't have dyes or perfumes in my detergent. (I continue to wash my son's clothes separate from ours, though, as adult versus toddler dirt just seems still to be too different to combine ;o))

Hope this helps!

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N.O.

answers from Detroit on

I have had very good success with ALL small and mighty dye free and fragrance free. I typically find it at Target.

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J.L.

answers from Detroit on

I used wisk with all three kids. I did a double rinse just to be on the safe side. Make sure it was all out. Good Luck.

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

Try the Better Health or Whole Food stores. They have a good selection of safe products. I use them for washing dishes and laundry.

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E.B.

answers from Detroit on

Is the baby that sensetive to laundry detergents? I know I didn't use Dreft when she was born in 2006. I used Tide laundry detergent and she was okay. I kept my eyes open for rashes. Babies can also get rashes from dry skin too. Good luck.

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R.P.

answers from Detroit on

Not sure what HE means, but Amway SA8 Bioquest Laundry Detergent costs less per use than almost anything else, does great wash job and rinses out completely to eliminate residual irritation. Great for babies & us too!

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K.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I am not sure if it is HE safe, but I love Baby all. It smells great, cleans better than Dreft and is less expensive. You can find it at Meijer and probably WalMart too, but I am not sure on that store.

Good luck!

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B.V.

answers from Detroit on

target sells a brand called Method and they have a baby degergent.

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A.M.

answers from Detroit on

We just got a new washer and I LOVE the stuff I get at Costco called Wintree . It's environmentally friendly, works great, lasts forever and is only 10$ for a HUGE bottle.

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D.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hey check out http://www.switchingstores.com/fourply
they have a wonderful laundry line and they have HE laundry soap as well. It is all I use and I have a now 4 1/2 year old and a now 18 month old...Best of luck and happy holidays!!!
P.S.
I used to have to use all free and clear for my kids because of eczema and allergies...this soap does the trick for us and saves us tons of $$!

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L.Y.

answers from Saginaw on

Hi L.,

I never used Dreft with my daughter. We use MelaPower which is more cost effective than Tide Free and is eco friendly. We only need 1/2 oz in a load for a HE washer.

L.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

I use the Kirkland dye and perfume free brand from Costco. It is very inexpensive, my daughter has very sensitive skin and she has never had a reaction from this detergent. It is HE. My daughter even has to have a particular wash and lotion because of it. This detergent is that sensitive.

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T.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Seventh Generation at Family Fare or Harvest Health or any health food store. We use it and LOVE it

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S.Y.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have used Dreft with my HE washer, but I only fill the cap to the lowest line for a full load. I have never had a problem with it before. So I guess I'm wondering how much you've been putting in? Good luck :)

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N.C.

answers from Detroit on

I don't know what HE means "high efficiency?" but I have many issues with laundry detergent myself. I use Arm & Hammer for sensitive skin (it's free of perfume and dyes) and my doctor said that it's absolutely fine for my baby. It can easily be found at Kroger. Good luck to you!

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A.K.

answers from Detroit on

I don't know anything about that type of washing machine. We have used All Free or Tide Free on everything for our son and have had no problems.

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T.N.

answers from Detroit on

I just use the tide pure HE. Works great and I have no problems and both my boys have ezema.

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E.F.

answers from Detroit on

I use Kirkland Free HE or Tide Free HE and it I have had no problems with my newborn. I do use the Dreft spot remover on formula stains so I still get the pretty smell!

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