The Best High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent - 2022
We looked at the top 10 and dug through the reviews from 19 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best .
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Our Picks For The Top
- The Best
- 1. Biokleen Non-Toxic Plant Based HE Laundry Detergent
- 2. Sapadilla Biodegradable High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent
- 3. Arm & Hammer HE Liquid Laundry Detergent
- 4. Gain Aroma Burst HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack
- 5. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated HE Laundry Detergent
- 6. Purex Mountain Breeze HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack
- 7. Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender HE Laundry Detergent
- 8. all Mighty Pacs Free & Clear HE Laundry Detergent
- 9. ECOS Hypoallergenic 2X Liquid HE Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack
- 10. Tide Free & Gentle Hypoallergenic HE Liquid Laundry Detergent
Plant-Based Keep your laundry fresh with this clean laundry detergent.
Handy and EffectiveThis high efficiency laundry detergent is easy on the earth and clothes.
Naturally FreshTry this detergent with baking soda for an all-natural clean.
Bulk PickStock up with this two-pack of great-smelling detergent.
Why we recommend these ?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 10 and also dug through the reviews from 19 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best .
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Biokleen Non-Toxic Plant Based HE Laundry Detergent
Our Take
This detergent is derived from plants and non-toxic for a clean you can feel good about. It removes tough stains and odors, all with no residue or harsh scents, thanks to its grapefruit-seed and orange extracts.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Arm & Hammer HE Liquid Laundry Detergent
Our Take
This high efficiency laundry detergent boasts a powerful clean and a natural fresh scent, thanks to its inclusion of baking soda. Its low-sudsing formula rinses cleaner, and it is effective in both regular and high efficiency machines.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Overall Product Rankings
5. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated HE Laundry Detergent
9. ECOS Hypoallergenic 2X Liquid HE Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack
10. Tide Free & Gentle Hypoallergenic HE Liquid Laundry Detergent
Our Findings
Biokleen Non-Toxic Plant Based HE Laundry Detergent
What We Liked: This detergent is derived from plants and non-toxic for a clean you can feel good about. It removes tough stains and odors, all with no residue or harsh scents, thanks to its grapefruit-seed and orange extracts.
Sapadilla Biodegradable High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent
What We Liked: Leave harsh chemicals behind and opt for this plant-based detergent instead. This eco-friendly pick is scented with essential oils, like rosemary and peppermint, so your clothes smell fresh without the use of artificial ingredients. Since you only need a small amount of this detergent to get your clothes clean, the 32-ounce bottle will last you a long time.
Arm & Hammer HE Liquid Laundry Detergent
What We Liked: This high efficiency laundry detergent boasts a powerful clean and a natural fresh scent, thanks to its inclusion of baking soda. Its low-sudsing formula rinses cleaner, and it is effective in both regular and high efficiency machines.
Gain Aroma Burst HE Liquid Laundry Detergent, 2-Pack
What We Liked: This two-pack of high efficiency laundry detergent works in all washing machines and boasts a clean, fresh scent. Enjoy up to six weeks of freshness, thanks to the included AromaBoost, as well as amazing dirt removal properties.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated HE Laundry Detergent
What We Liked: Enjoy an all-natural clean for up to 53 loads with this two-pack of free and clear, high efficiency laundry detergents. It’s USDA-certified as a bio product and contains 96% plant-based ingredients, so you can feel good about using it.
Our Buying Guide
High-efficiency laundry detergent is specifically formulated for washing machines that are also designated as high efficiency. These machines use less water than traditional units, so high-efficiency laundry detergent is designed to create fewer suds and to disperse quickly. This way, it can offer the best possible clean, despite smaller amounts of water.
In most cases, you can determine whether a laundry detergent is designated as high efficiency by looking for the “HE” logo on the product’s package. Usually, these letters are surrounded by a stylized circle.
While it might be tempting to use whatever detergent you have on hand, you shouldn’t use regular varieties in your high-efficiency washing machine. These other detergents produce too many suds for the lower water levels in your machine, which could leave your clothes less clean, result in a longer wash cycle for machines with a rinse sensor. It could even cause the machine to overflow.
That said, it is completely acceptable to use high-efficiency laundry detergent in a regular washing machine. You will need to use more detergent than you would in a high-efficiency washer, since a traditional washing machine uses more water. Follow the instructions on the package to learn more about proper detergent quantities.
When shopping for a high-efficiency laundry detergent, you’ll be able to choose from HE versions of your favorite detergents, as well as many all-natural and fragrance-free varieties. Whether you want a fully biodegradable detergent or one without any added scents, there is a perfect option for you.
Best of all, many high-efficiency detergents come in multipacks, offering you the convenience of getting more detergent at a time, and often at bulk cost savings. Be sure to calculate the unit price per load when ordering your laundry supplies.
You may find that the detergent you’re considering costs more per load than a comparable brand, even though it costs less per package. Similarly, verify that a multipack is less expensive per load than a single unit of the detergent. While it might seem that buying in bulk should save you money, this isn’t always the case.
DWYM Fun Fact
How exactly does high efficiency laundry detergent work?
It all starts with suds. Suds, or bubbles, work hard to break apart dirt and stains on your clothing and linens.
Have you ever wondered why the dirt and stains don’t just fall back onto your clothes, re-soiling them during the laundering process?
You can thank your detergent for this, too.
Detergent actually suspends the soil, dyes and other unwanted substances in the water during your washer’s cleaning cycle. This prevents them from getting back onto your clothes.
When the water drains out of your washing machine and is carried away through your septic or sewer system as what is called gray water, the dirt and stains go with it.
The Tips and Advice
- When you are using high-efficiency detergent in a traditional washer, plan to use 1/4 cup for a normal-sized load of laundry.
- If you are using high-efficiency detergent in a newer HE washing machine, you will only need about 2 tablespoons to get an adequate clean.
- High-efficiency detergents come in a variety of concentration amounts, noted on the product’s packaging as “2X,” “4X,” “8X,” etc. Always check manufacturer instructions before adding detergent to your washer to be sure you understand what the product’s concentration means.
- Avoid mixing liquid and powder detergents in your washer. If you choose to use both types, don’t do so in the same load of laundry. Wipe out the remnants of one sort of detergent before using another.
- Consider the use of a washing machine cleaner periodically to rid it of molds and mildew. Particularly with a high-efficiency washer that is front-loading, smells can build up over time. Leave the washer door open a bit after each load to encourage proper drying and limit smells.
- Read product labels before purchasing a high-efficiency laundry detergent. Not all contain the same ingredients. Consider an all-natural or “free and clear” variety of detergent, especially if you have sensitive skin or have small children at home.
- If you don’t have a high-efficiency washing machine, you can price compare to determine whether a regular or HE detergent is the best choice for you. In some instances, the high-efficiency option may still come with cost savings.
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