High-efficiency washers use a fraction of the water older top-loaders did, so ordinary detergent produces far more foam than the machine can handle. HE detergent is formulated to clean with minimal suds. Using non-HE soap โ€” or a warehouse-club jug of the wrong thing โ€” causes suds lock, long cycles, residue on clothes and eventually a smelly machine. It is one of the most common causes of a "broken" washer that is mechanically perfect.

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