🫧 What Is a High Efficiency Washer? HE Washers Fully Explained

What Does High Efficiency (HE) Mean on a Washer?

A high efficiency (HE) washer is a washing machine designed to use significantly less water and energy than traditional top-load agitator machines. The HE label refers to both the machine's engineering and the type of detergent it requires.

How Do High Efficiency Washers Work?

Traditional washers fill the entire drum with water and use a central agitator to tumble clothes. HE washers — both front-loaders and modern top-loaders without agitators — work very differently:

• Much less water — HE machines use sensors to detect load size and add only as much water as needed. A typical HE washer uses 15–25 gallons per load vs 40+ gallons for traditional machines.
• Tumbling action — Rather than submerging clothes, HE washers repeatedly lift and drop laundry through a small amount of water, relying on mechanical action and concentrated detergent to clean.
• High-speed spin — HE machines spin at higher RPMs (1,000–1,600 RPM) to extract more water from clothes, reducing drying time and energy.
• Low-sudsing detergent required — Because there's less water to rinse, HE machines require HE-formulated detergent that produces very few suds.

How to Know If Your Washer Is HE

Look for the HE symbol — a small "HE" logo printed on the washer's front panel, control panel, or detergent drawer. You can also check:

• Your washer's model number on the manufacturer's website
• The owner's manual — it will specify HE detergent requirements
• The detergent drawer — HE machines often have separate compartments for pre-wash, main wash, and fabric softener
• Most front-load washers are HE. Top-load washers without a centre agitator post are also typically HE.

What Happens If You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer?

Using standard detergent in an HE washer creates excessive suds. This leads to:

• Poor rinsing — soap residue left on clothes and in the drum
• Error codes and cycle interruptions as sensors detect over-sudsing
• Mould and mildew buildup inside the drum and door seal
• Long-term damage to the pump, bearings, and drum seals

Always use detergent marked with the HE symbol. Use less than you think — most people use 2–3× too much detergent, even with HE products. See our guide on how to clean your washing machine to clear built-up detergent residue.

HE Washer Benefits

• Lower water bills — Up to 50% less water per load
• Lower energy bills — Less hot water to heat; faster drying times
• Gentler on clothes — Tumbling action is less abrasive than agitators
• Larger capacity — Without a central agitator, you can wash bigger loads

HE Washer Maintenance Tips

• Run a monthly drum clean cycle with a washer cleaner tablet
• Leave the door and detergent drawer open after each use to prevent mould
• Wipe the door gasket/seal regularly — this is where mildew loves to grow
• Clean the detergent drawer monthly to prevent blockages