I use Trader Joe's laundry powder for most things, and 7th Generation powder for sheets and towels, because DH gets itchy skin if I use anything else (oddly, only with the sheets and towels, not with his shirts) I have the makings for the homemade powder, and will be making some up when the other stuff is close to gone. I hope that the homemade will not cause the itchy skin thing because 7th Generation is expensive. I have an HE front loader, but have never bought detergent specific to HEs.