HE vs. Traditional
So what’s the big difference between an high efficiency washing machine and a traditional one? We’re glad you asked. Here’s a rundown of the basic differences.
Efficiency
High efficiency washers use much less energy, than a traditional washing machine. Nearly every model bears the US Department of Energy's "Energy Star" label, setting it apart as an appliance that meets or exceeds stringent efficiency standards.
Water efficiency is also a big difference. Traditional machines generally require enough water to cover all the clothes in the drum, while a high efficiency washer needs only about a 20-66% of that amount.
Since there's either no agitator or a smaller agitator in high efficiency washing machines, you can also generally do larger, and hence fewer, loads than in traditional machines.
Laundry Detergent
As we discussed in the High Efficiency Detergent section, high efficiency machines cannot use the same detergent you buy for a traditional machine. High efficiency detergents do the same great job of cleaning but are formulated to work better in a low water environment.
Cycles and options
Most high efficiency washers have more wash cycles and settings than you would find on a traditional machine - things like delayed start timers, numerous preset wash cycles, and special settings like sanitary cycles that kill bacteria and allergens - which can initially take more time to explore or understand. Luckily, most high efficiency washers have sensors to adjust water temperature, level and spin to match the load, so there's no guesswork required in those areas once you've chosen a wash cycle.
Washing time
Wash cycle times are generally longer with a high efficiency washing machine. This is partly due to the low water use - it takes longer to get clothes clean – but also has to do with the fact that the average load in a high efficiency washing machine is larger than a traditional machine can handle. Some high efficiency washers can take up to two hours on some heavy-soil settings, although 45 to 90 minutes is typical for normal washes. In comparison, the average wash time in a traditional machine is 30 to 50 minutes. Drying times are shorter with high efficiency washing machines because they have faster spin cycles that remove more water from the load.
Cleaning the machine
As we mentioned in High Efficiency Washing Machine Care <link to HE Machine Care> high efficiency washers need a little more TLC than a traditional model. Since water use is low, there's a tendency for soap and soil residue to build. This requires you to run a monthly cleaning cycle.
The doors also have thick rubber seals on the interior to prevent water leakage where excess water, laundry soils, detergent residue and water hardness minerals. can get trapped and cause unpleasant odors. Wiping down this seal after each wash or leaving the door slightly open when not in use helps with this.
Cost
In this department, traditional washers have a distinct advantage. Typically, they cost several hundred dollars less than their high efficiency counterparts. Once utility costs are included, however, high efficiency washing machines are often the less expensive option over the life of the machine. Over a ten year machine life, the savings can be as much as $500 to $700! But if your budget can’t accommodate a high efficiency washer, you may have to go with a new traditional model.
As you can see, high efficiency washing machines are superior to traditional models in most areas. But at the end of the day, if used correctly both high efficiency and traditional machines will give you fresh, clean clothes. And that’s the most important thing.
Featured Videos
How to Use Your HE Washing Machine
Tips & Tricks
Many stains are more likely to be removed entirely if soaked in cold water before it has had time to set.
If in doubt, test your color garment for colorfastness – apply warm water to an inconspicuous part (inside of the hem, for instance), then press this part with a warm iron between two pieces of white cloth.
To protect your favorite garments, try turning them inside out before washing.
Use a partitioned laundry basket to sort your laundry as you remove it.
Overloading your washing machine could mean that your clothes don’t properly get clean.
White streaks of powder left behind on your clothes due to undissolved detergent are usually caused by overloading your machine, and can be removed with an additional rinse cycle.
Washing much smaller loads on non-cotton cycles to give more freedom of movement in the drum and result in better cleaning.
Using too little detergent can cause whites to become dingy as there are insufficient ingredients to hold soils in the water so they don’t redeposit on the garments.
Overdosing in a soft-water area can lead to “oversudsing” which, in extreme cases, can mean suds come out of the machine.
Always check the fabric care label for the manufacturer’s washing recommendations.
Some dyes will bleed even in very cold water, so always sort your washing into light colors, dark colors, whites, and delicates.
To compensate for washing at lower temperatures, try using a Cotton (most agitation) or Synthetic cycle, if the garment care label allows. There are also detergents specially designed to work in cold water.
Whenever possible, dry your clothes outside on a line; you could see significant energy savings.
Make sure to close all zippers, fasteners, and hooks to prevent and reduce abrasion of fabric and consider placing delicate items into mesh laundry bags.
To pre-treat stains, apply undiluted laundry detergent directly onto stained areas. For best results, allow product to sit on stain for a few minutes, scrub product into stain, then wash.
When adding chlorine bleach, always use the bleach dispenser on your washer to ensure that it is added at the right time in the wash cycle. If your machine does not have a dispenser, add chlorine bleach at the end of the wash cycle.
Check garment care labels for recommended wash temperature.
For all HE washers, make sure to use a low-sudsing HE detergent.
Use the right amount of detergent. Follow package directions carefully. For heavily soiled and/or large loads, use more detergent.
If you do not have a detergent dispenser on your machine, add the detergent while the washer fills with water, ensure the detergent has dissolved, then add the clothes.
Keep your washing machine free of residues by running a monthly wash cycle with Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.
Related Content
How these modern marvels do the wonderful things they do.
