Can top loading & front loading wash machines use the same laundry detergent?

Question

When in Toronto, the store attendant found it amusing when I asked for top loading detergent. However here in the middle east there are separate detergents made by the same big companies TIDE, OMO, etc.

Answer 1

Joan H is correct; my husband is in the Army and we live on base, before we had the means to purchase a washer/dryer we used the front loading HE washers in the barracks.. I used a sample pack of regular ol Tide in one of those washers and it shut it down. Locked our clothes in it, even. :D Long story short.. use HE soap for HE washers. :)

Answer 2

Yes, you can use any laundry soap in either a top loader or side loader washing machine.

Answer 3

No you can't, and no that wasn't a stupid question. The clerk was stupid, as the stores like to hire brain dead clerks these days for some reason. And don't listen to the first person who answered your question on here, cause he/she are apparently ignorant on this subject.

Front loading machine laundry detergent is formulated differently than top loading machine laundry detergent. Top loading detergent will suds too much in front loaders, so it's not recommended as it's easy to use too much and possibly cause damage to your machine and clothes.

Answer 4

"Tide HE"  liquid, comes highly recommended for front loaders. I have a toploader & use regular Tide liquid.

Answer 5

No. I have a front loader and if you use regular laundry soap (liquid) in it, it will be too sudsy and won't rinse the clothes. It will even shut down the washer due to suds. Be safe and buy the HE recomended.

Answer 6

"Top loading detergent" isn't called that in Canada. It's called "regular", since the majority of washing machines in operation are still top-loaders. Detergent for front-loaders is called "high-efficiency" or "HE". So perhaps he was amused by your terminology and not by the actual facts.

Anyone who thinks you can use regular detergent in a modern front loader is going to have a sudsy mess on his or her hands one day.

Answer 7

Sorry hunny, but front loaders MUST use HE detergent.

I was told it has to do with the way it's transfered to the drum (to get in the wash.)

HAGD!!