The efficiency of your washing machine depends greatly on the type of detergent and how you use it for washing. However, there are many types of detergents in the market, making customers confused about the one they should choose. Some are designed to be used for hand washing, or with only washing machines; some are made for removing tough stains, and some are for delicate items like silk and woolen. Also, due to the differences in washing mechanisms, there are different detergents for front load and top load washing machines. While top load washing machine requires detergent
that creates a lot of suds as they have an agitator in the drum, and need more water and washing cycles to clean your laundry. However, due to their lower water usage, front load washer performs better with high efficiency (HE) detergent with a low suds formula. This detergent produces less lather, removes dirt and detergent residue with less water.
Electrolux India will compare different types of detergent and some tips & tricks to help you choose the best detergent for your washer.
What are the differences between front load and top load washing machines?
The main difference between these two types of washing machines is the location of the door. For top-load washers, you put in the laundry from the top, whereas front loaders are opened from the front of the machine. Top load washing machines have an agitator in the drum, so they consume more water and have a longer washing cycle. Front loaders, on the other hand, have no agitator and clean laundry using tumbling.
What are different types of detergents available in the market?
- Hand wash powder is designed for washing clothes by hand or for semi-automatic washing machines which need more water and suds (foam) to remove stains with less agitation. Since this type of detergent produces more suds, it takes more time in dissolving.
- Machine wash powder is commonly used in a fully automatic washing machine where you generally require less water and detergent to clean your laundry. It takes less time to dissolve, yet it is harsher on your clothes and not suitable for hand washing.
- Liquid detergent is the most widely used detergent and can completely dissolve in the water even in cold water, thereby not leaving any residue on the clothes. It is also can be used in a fully automatic washing machine.
The table below summaries the different usage of those three detergents:
|
Hand wash powder |
Machine wash powder |
Liquid detergent |
Do’s |
- Hand washing
- Semi-automatic washing machines
- Remove tough stains
|
- Fully automatic washing machines
- Wash whites
- Remove outdoor stains or soil
|
- Fully automatic washing machines
- Pre-treat stains
- Remove greasy stains
- Wash colors and baby clothes
|
Don’ts |
Fully automatic washing machines |
- Hand washing
- Semi-automatic washing machines
|
- Hand washing
- Semi-automatic washing machines
|
How to choose the proper detergent for your washing machine?

A top-load washing machine needs a detergent that generates a lot of suds because it has an agitator or pulsator in the drum. It also requires more water and washing cycles to clean your laundry. However, since a front-load washing machine uses less water than its top-load counterpart, it requires a high efficiency (HE) with low suds detergent. The low suds formula of the HE detergent produces less lather and removes all the dirt and detergent residue with less water. If you add any other kind of detergent to a high-efficiency washer, then it may cause excessive foam, which creates a residue of detergent over the clothes and machine. Plus, this can also block up the system, which can prevent the washer from draining out water from the washer and, in turn, cause more suds.
Frequently asked questions about washing machine detergents
