Yes, You Can Go Green in Your Front Load Washer (2024)

You can use natural, non-commercial, or unconventional laundry products like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and borax in a high-efficiency (HE) washer. However, the directions are not listed on the packaging. Read on to learn the usage instructions and quantities you need when using these products and more in a HE washing machine.

Using Natural Products in HE Washers

While high-efficiency (HE) washers do require the use of low-sudsing HEdetergent formulas due to lower water levels used in each cycle, the "old-fashioned" detergent boosters like baking soda and borax can still be used in the machines. Detergent boosters add more cleaning power to less expensive laundry detergents to help whiten whites, remove stains, and act as a water softener.

Here's how and when to add each one whether your HE machine is a front loader or top loader:

Baking Soda

Since baking soda is dry, it should not be placed inthe automatic detergent dispenser with your regular detergent. The baking soda can cause clumping and clog the dispenser. Instead, sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda into the empty washer tub before you load the clothes. Baking soda acts as a natural brightener and deodorizer.

If you have particularly smelly clothes, using a full cup of baking soda will not harm your washer. You'll get better results if you allow the clothes to soak in the baking soda and water for at least 30 minutesbefore completing the wash cycle.

Borax

Treat powdered borax the same way as dry baking soda. Sprinkle 1/2 cup borax into the empty washer tub before adding the dirty laundry.Be sure there are no lumps in the borax powder if you are using cold water because they may not dissolve properly. Borax works as a water softener and deodorizer.

Distilled White Vinegar

If you dislike commercial fabric softeners, white distilled vinegarcan be used instead to help soften the clothes.

The white distilled vinegar should be placed inthe fabric softener dispenser so it will be added during the rinse cycle. Fill the fabric softener cup to the top level with the white vinegar. The vinegar helps remove any detergent and soil that is clinging to fabric clothes, leaving them feeling soft and clean. There will be no vinegar odor clinging to the fabric.

An added benefit of using white distilled vinegar is that your washer will be left much fresher and cleaner than if you use a commercial fabric softener. Fabric softener residue traps bacteria and encourages the growth of mold and mildew and causes anodorin front load washers.

Using Ammonia in HE Washers

Some smelly clothes like those of hog farmers, skunk encounters,and even some cat urinestains require the use of strong ammonia to remove the odors.

It is safe to use non-sudsing household ammonia in HEwashers. Take extra care to read the label and make sure that there will be no excessive suds. The ammonia can be added directly to the washer drum before loading the dirty clothes and adding water.

How to Use Bluing in a Front Load Washer

Laundry bluing helps trick the eye to make white clothes look brighter and whiter. This natural product has been used for centuries and it still works today. If you have a top load HEwasher, mix the bluing as directed on the packaging with at least one quart water and add to the wash cycle.

For use ina front load washer, always dilute the bluing with water. Mix 1/4 teaspoon with one quart of cool water in a glass container (it will stain plastic).If the dispensing drawers on your HE washer remain unlocked during the cycle, add through the dispenser directly into the wash cycle after it has already filled with water.

If thedrawers on your front load washer lockas the cycle begins, dilute the bluing as directed on the bottle and then put as much diluted bluing as will fit into the largest available drawer,usually the bleach dispenser.