Laundry detergent is a type of cleaning agent used for cleaning dirty laundry or clothes. It is manufactured in powder and liquid form. Laundry detergent is formulated to remove mixed soils from fiber surfaces. Soils can be grouped into water-soluble soils such as sugars, inorganic salts, urea, and perspiration. Laundry detergents were mainly used in industry until after World War II, but new developments and the later conversion of aviation fuel plants to produce tetrapropylene, used in household detergents production, caused a fast growth of domestic use in the late 1940s.

HE (high-efficiency) laundry detergents are specialized formulas made to use in HE washing machines. The main difference between a HE detergent and a regular one is the amount of suds. HE detergents are formulated for HE washers that use less water and tumble clothes rather than using an agitator. HE detergents disperse quickly in the lower-water environment and use fewer suds to remove dirt and oils from laundry. HE laundry detergents are specifically formulated for high-efficiency washing machines, allowing you to reach optimal cleansing in low water levels and a shorter cycle. HE detergent also yields fewer suds than standard detergent and disperses dirt and dyes quickly, minimizing the likelihood of soils redepositing on your garments. When shopping for laundry detergent, look for the “HE” symbol on the container or packaging to ensure the detergent is made for your HE washer. HE detergents are specially formulated to hold soil in suspension in that lower volume of water, so it is not re-deposited onto clean clothes. HE detergents only create a small amount of suds and must be used in high-efficiency washing machines. Any laundry detergent or laundry product like stain removers, boosters, and fabric softeners with the HE symbol are formulated to be used in high-efficiency washing machines like front load washers as well as top load washers that require a low-sudsing detergent.