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How to Use Laundry Detergent Pods Correctly

This simple detergent option works in both front-load and top-load washers

Learning how to use Tide and other laundry pods correctly can make laundry day much easier and more efficient. Using laundry pods correctly is essential for cleaning your clothes properly because they aren't used in the same ways as liquid or powder detergent.

We have answers on how to use laundry pods, how many single-dose pods to use, and what you need to do if you notice streaking or spotting on your clothes after using these little concentrated packets of laundry detergent.

How to Use Laundry Detergent Pods Correctly

The Spruce

How to Use Laundry Pods in Top-Load and Front-Load Washers

  1. Add the laundry pod to the bottom of the drum of the washer. Do not put pods in the dispenser unless specifically directed by your washing machine's manufacturer.
  2. Place clothes in the washer.
  3. Wash as usual, selecting the appropriate wash cycle.
choosing the correct number of laundry pods
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

How Many Laundry Detergent Pods Should I Use?

Single-dose laundry detergent pods cost more to use per load than liquid or powder detergent. For an average-sized load of laundry (around 12 pounds), one detergent pod is all you need.

The cleaning ingredients in single-dose detergent pods are concentrated and perform comparably with the specific brand's liquid counterpart in removing stains and soil.

Tip

If you have an extra-large capacity washer like a front loader that can hold up to 20 pounds of laundry and it is filled with laundry, use two pods.

laundry detergent pods on a towel

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

When to Add Laundry Pods to Washing Machines

The number one rule for successful use is that the pods must be added to the empty washer drum before adding clothes and water. If the pod is placed on top of a load of clothes, it may not dissolve properly.

This can result in streaks and spotting from deposits of detergent left on the wet clothes. Streaking can also happen if the washer is overloaded with clothes and the pod isn't exposed to enough water to dissolve.

adding a laundry detergent pod to the washer
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Do Laundry Pods Dissolve in Cold Water? 

The single-dose pods should dissolve completely in both cold and hot water. During the winter, if the incoming cold water is extremely cold, the pod may not dissolve correctly.

If you experience the problem of the pod not dissolving in cold water, dissolve it in a quart jar of hot water first. Add the detergent water directly to your empty washer drum before adding the dirty laundry.

dissolving a laundry pod in water
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Which Is Better, Laundry Pods or Liquid Detergent? 

The cleaning ingredients are the same in liquid detergent and laundry pods, so they perform equally.

Liquid detergent offers the advantage of easier use to pretreat laundry stains, but over- or under-dosing is common due to hard-to-read measuring lids.

Laundry pods are easier to use, premeasured, and perform well. However, some cons are that they are more expensive to use per load of laundry, more difficult to use for pretreating stains, and a potential hazard for kids, pets, and vulnerable adults.

Troubleshooting Laundry Pods​

If a pod does not dissolve correctly and the laundry is streaked or spotted, immediately rewash the clothes with no added detergent. Choose the largest load capacity setting to make sure all of the clothes move freely through the water.

Do not place clothes that are stained with detergent into a hot clothes dryer. The heat will make the product more difficult to remove.

Tip

When using the pods, your hands should be completely dry when handling them or the outer film will begin to dissolve. Keep the storage container sealed when not in use to prevent damage from moisture, especially if you live in a high-humidity area.

Important Usage Tips

FAQ
  • Why shouldn't you put laundry pods in the dispenser?

    Most detergent dispensers in a washer are not designed for laundry pods that require a significant amount of water to start the dissolving process. Placing the pod in the dispenser will result in a clog and clothes that aren't clean.

  • Why are my Tide pods not dissolving in my washing machine?

    If the water is extremely cold or you place the Tide pod on top of the dirty laundry, it may not dissolve correctly. Always place the pod in an empty washer drum before you load the dirty laundry. Consider using warm water for the load or dissolve the pod in a quart of hot water first. Pour the detergent solution into the washer before you add the dirty laundry.

  • What happens if you put too many Tide pods in the washer?

    Using too much of any type of detergent leaves residue in clothes that traps soil and odors, and causes them to feel stiff and scratchy. If you accidentally use too much detergent, add an extra rinse cycle or rewash the load without adding more detergent.