Although we've had top-loaders in the past, we are currently in a rental and have a Samsung HE front-loader set. We have been using home-made soaps for years (Fels Naptha, Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, and Borax). The mix works great! The Naptha on its own is a great pre-treater, too. I had a work shirt that I managed to dribble some grease onto that went through three wash/dry cycles (I kept forgetting to pre-treat it). I figured the stain was permanent. I got a sliver of the Naptha, wet the shirt, and rubbed away at it fore a minute or two. Threw it into the wash and the stain was gone.
Fels Naptha is fantastic for getting rid of poison ivy on skin, clothing, etc.
;-)
What ratio do you use?