Other Links:

HIGH EFFICIENCY DETERGENT CHOICES

Finding a compatible detergent for diaper laundry is a fun and exciting task! Add your new and improved, high-efficiency front-loader into the mix and now it is a whole new spin.

What characteristics are important in a detergent working well in your HE washing machine.

Low-sudsing - a proper detergent for an HE machine will be low-sudsing.
Quick Dispersing/Dissolving - the detergent needs to diffuse quickly throughout the water in the machine and needs to dissolve quickly in a much smaller quantity of water.
Concentrated - with a lower amount of water a higher detergent concentration is needed to aid the water in penetrating the fabric effectively and trap dirt and loose dyes.

Issues with fragrance, dyes, optical brighteners, and even enzymes are going to shrink but not always disappear when using an HE washing machine. HE washing machines have faster, efficient spin cycles which removes more water and will in turn help to remove more of the problematic additives.

KEY TO DETERGENT CHART
	Considered a great choice for diaper laundry.	Easy Tip:	A green background highlights detergents that are recommended; an orange background highlights detergents to avoid.
	A good choice for cloth diaper laundry.
	An average detergent. Not the best for cloth diaper laundry.
	Not recommended for diaper laundry.		Detergent does NOT have this offending ingredient
	Should not be used for cloth diaper laundry.		Detergent does have this offending ingredient

HE Detergent Chart for diaper laundry success

updated March 2008

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		all Small and Mighty Free Clear HE HE Certified
		all Small and Mighty Fresh Rain HE HE Certified
		Allens Naturally Laundry Detergent -Liquid -Ultra Concentrated Powder Standard and HE compatible
		Personal note: Results for use in high-efficiency machines is often considered better than when used in the same water supply with a top-loading machine. Manufacturer's note: "For high efficiency washers use � of the recommended amount."
		Arm & Hammer HE HE Certified
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Powder Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers.
		Bi-O-Kleen Premium Plus Laundry Powder Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers.
		Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Liquid Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers.
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Caldrea Laundry Detergent Standard & HE compatible				natural essential oils
		Charlie's Soap Powder Standard & HE compatible
		Personal Note: There is great controversy over this detergent. Fact is: some (not all) babies have a severe skin reaction to this detergent. Manufacturers Note: "We have found that by following proper procedures with our detergents... we have remedied nearly all the problems. We know there can be a problem with hard water with our detergents" -Charlie Sutherland
		Charlie's Soap Liquid Standard & HE compatible
		Personal Note: There is great controversy over this detergent. Fact is: some (not all) babies have a severe skin reaction to this detergent. Manufacturers Note: "We have found that by following proper procedures with our detergents... we have remedied nearly all the problems. We know there can be a problem with hard water with our detergents" -Charlie Sutherland
		Cheer Ultra HE HE Certified
		Cheer Ultra Free & Gentle HE HE Certified
		Country Save Powder Laundry Detergent Standard and HE compatible
		Manufacturers Note: Independent lab results for this product http://countrysave.com/announce.php
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Eco-Max Standard and HE compatible
		ECOS Free & Clear Laundry Detergent Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in hard water conditions. Manufacturers Note: For HE front loader, use half the above amount.
		ECOS Laundry Detergent with Soy Based Fabric Softener Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in hard water conditions. Manufacturers Note: For HE front loader, use half the above amount.
		Ecovantage HE Certified
		Era HE HE Certified
		Equator HE Certified
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Method -Fresh Air -Lily and Aloe -Sweet Water Standard and HE Certified
		Method Free and Clear Standard and HE Certified
		Method Baby Standard and HE Certified
		Mountain Green Free & Clear Standard and HE Certified
		Mountain Green Free & Clear Baby Standard and HE Certified
		Mountain Green Original Citrus Standard and HE Certified				natural essential oils
		Mountain Green Ultra Baby Standard and HE Certified				natural essential oils
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Nature Clean All Natural Laundry Liquid Standard and HE compatible
		Nature Clean All Natural Laundry Powder Standard and HE compatible
		Nellie's -All natural Laundry Soda -Laundry Nuggets Standard and HE compatible
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent Standard and HE compatible
		Planet 2x Liquid Laundry Detergent Standard and HE Certified
		Purex HE HE Certified
Rating	Detergent Image	Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
good average avoid		Detergent Brand	Enzymes	Fabric Softener	Brighteners	Scents	Dyes
		SA8 -Liquid -Sensitive Detergent -Premium Powder -Plus Powder Standard and HE compatible
		Sears -Stain Fighting -with Oxi Clean -with Bleach Alternative Standard and HE certified
		Sears Ultra Plus Detergent Dye and Perfume Free Standard and HE certified
		SensiClean Standard and HE compatible
		Personal Note: This detergent works well for many people. However some babies will develop severe rash to this detergent. The manufacturer has been reluctant to investigate what could cause these problems.
		Seventh Generation -Baby Laundry -2x Concentrate Standard and HE certified
		Seventh Generation Natural Powdered Standard and HE certified