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Today's high-efficiency (HE) washing machines offer more cleaning power, use about 70 percent less water and are actually gentler on fabric.
Traditional washers use the friction of an agitator to remove soil. HE machines require low levels of water so clothes do not soak in gallons of water and diluted detergent, but rather are washed in a small amount of water, making the cleaning power of the detergent more concentrated. The clothes are moved through the concentrated solution and the solution is pulled through the fabrics to dislodge soil and stains.
The efficient new washers are available in top-loading and front-loading styles. Front-loading machines alternate the wash motion of the clothes back and forth in a repetitive motion, tumbling clothes clockwise and counterclockwise for a more efficient and gentle cleaning cycle. Top-load and front-load HE washers are equipped with a wash plate at the bottom of the tub using low water with high concentrations. The wash plate replaces the traditional agitator and spins the clothing driving cleaning solution through the fibers.
For the most effective cleaning, HE laundry detergents should be used with these machines. These detergents are highly concentrated, keep suds levels low, have enhanced cleaning agents that help keep dyes from being released from garments, and suspend the soils to keep them from redepositing on the wash load. It's a smart idea to read the directions on your detergent for proper dosage. Too much detergent can lead to extra suds that inhibit proper cleaning by holding on to soils and redepositing them on clothing.
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