How to Use Laundry Pods the Right Way

Do you know how to use Tide Pods correctly? Here's what the experts say about proper usage, including water temperature and just how many you should be using.

Laundry—it’s never ending. And while there’s no way to make doing laundry disappear entirely, there are certain things you can do to make the job easier. In addition to reading care labels and separating your clothes for a better outcome, learning how to use Tide Pods (or any other brand of detergent packet) correctly can make the chore simple.

While liquid or powder detergent is perfectly acceptable, there’s something especially convenient about a little flubber-looking packet of cleaning solution. Laundry pods are mess-free, require no measuring and get tossed right in your washing machine. But there are some usage requirements. Reader’s Digest spoke with laundry experts Mary Gagliardi and Jessica Zinna to find out how to use Tide Pods the right way, so your wash consistently comes out clean, bright and residue-free.

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About the experts

  • Mary Gagliardi, aka Dr. Laundry, is a stain scientist at The Clorox Company. She has more than 10 years of experience in stain removal and testing laundry products.
  • Jessica Zinna, PhD, is a former senior scientist with P&G Fabric Care who worked on laundry solutions for Tide, Gain and Downy brands.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Mary Marlowe Leverette, a highly regarded fabric-care, stain-removal and housekeeping expert with more than 40 years of experience.

How to use Tide Pods in the washing machine

tide pods going in empty washerAgustin Vai/getty images

The most important task when using Tide Pods is to make sure they dissolve properly, and that means they’ll need to come into contact with as much water as possible. According to Zinna, the best way to use liquid laundry packets is to put them into the drum first, before adding clothes. “Place the [pods] at the back or bottom of the machine drum, not in the dispenser drawer,” she says. That way, they’re sure to be submerged.

Once you put your clothes in the washer, opt for a setting that uses warm or hot water, as long as it’s appropriate for your clothing items. “Cold water—especially if it’s lower than 60 degrees, which is totally possible during the winter months—might not dissolve the pod entirely,” says Gagliardi. If you are experiencing issues when using pods and cold water for laundry, fabric-care expert Mary Marlowe Leverette suggests dissolving the pod in 1 cup of hot water first and adding the solution to the washing machine drum before loading dirty laundry.

How many Tide Pods should I use per load?

The number of pods you’ll pop in the washer will depend entirely on the size of the load and how soiled your laundry is, just as your washer and dryer settings depend on what’s in the machine. “As washing machines become larger, so do load sizes,” Zinna explains. “This means there’s more dirt going into each load, which requires more cleaning power.”

That said, always read the product’s package instructions, as well as your washing machine manufacturer guide, says Gagliardi, as usage can vary. For instance, while laundry detergent pods work well in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines, HE machines use less energy, detergent and (importantly) water. If you have an HE washing machine, consider using fewer pods to ensure they’re able to dissolve. Leverette recommends following this guide:

  • Small loads and compact washers (4–8 pounds of laundry): 1 pod
  • Average-size loads and top-load washers (12–16 pounds of laundry): 1 pod
  • Large and extra-large loads and front-load washers (16–25 pounds of laundry): 2 pods

Keep in mind that while laundry pods may look like a small amount of product compared with the amount of liquid or powder detergent you would use, they are very concentrated.

The benefits of using Tide Pods

  • Convenience. “Liquid laundry packets are great for consumers who are looking for laundry detergent in an easy-to-use, less-messy form in a premeasured amount,” says Zinna. “They are convenient to transport [for shared laundry facilities] and take the guesswork out of measuring with convenient, pre-portioned doses.”
  • Reduces carbon footprint. The format “allows for the use of more-concentrated detergents,” she says. “This means less water in cleaning product formulas, which results in reduced packaging waste and less weight when transporting these products.”

How do Tide Pods work?

According to Zinna, laundry pods typically contain liquid or powder cleaning ingredients in a dissolvable film that can be added directly into the washer drum. “When the packet comes into contact with water, the film dissolves, allowing the cleaning ingredient to do its job and remove yucky stains and odors from your laundry,” she says.

In addition to containing a concentrated form of detergent, laundry pods sometimes also include fabric softener or a color-safe brightener, adds Gagliardi.

FAQs

Tide laundry detergents seen in a Target superstore...SOPA Images/Getty Images

Which detergent is cheaper: Liquid, powder or pods?

In general, using liquid or powder laundry detergent will be cheaper per load than using laundry pods. But there’s a caveat: “Because liquid laundry packets often provide better cleaning performance, stain removal and freshness, they can be a great option if you’re looking for overall value in your laundry routine,” Zinna says.

Are Tide Pods bad for your washer?

No, laundry pods are totally safe to toss in your washing machine. And it doesn’t matter whether you have an HE or traditional washing machine, they work in both. “Liquid laundry packets are safe to use [in] all commercial washing machines, including [high-efficiency] washers,” Zinna says.

What happens when a Tide Pod doesn’t dissolve?

“Typically, the cause of liquid laundry packets not dissolving in the wash is improper use, like adding the packet after clothes instead of before,” Zinna says. The reason that can create issues? The packet needs as much contact with water as possible in order for the film to dissolve.

Your washing machine temperature may also be to blame. “If you are still having issues with dissolution, switch to warmer water during winter months or when water is especially cold,” Zinna suggests.

How do I remove pod residue from my clothes?

If you notice detergent residue after using a laundry pod, soak the item in warm or hot water. If the residue has dried, soak it until it softens or loosens, says Gagliardi. Then rewash the item on warm or hot water and check once more to make sure the residue is gone before putting it in the dryer.

What’s the safest way to store laundry pods?

If you watch the news, you’ve probably heard stories about hospitalizations, and that’s because the colorful pods are sometimes mistaken for candy by kids. Always store laundry packets in the container they came in; putting them in glass jars can make them look like candy. “Like any other household cleaning product, keep liquid laundry packets out of the reach and sight of children,” Zinna says. “Do not let children handle liquid laundry packets, even with supervision.”

Leverette adds that the original container should be stored in a cool, dry place to protect the pods from excessive moisture, which can cause them to dissolve. Always handle the pods with dry hands.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field, in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Maryn Liles tapped her experience as a longtime home and lifestyle writer. Then fabric-care and stain-removal expert Mary Marlowe Leverette gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including cleaning and health experts and reputable organizations. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert at Clorox; email interview, Jan. 8, 2024
  • Jessica Zinna, PhD, former senior scientist with Tide; interviewed September 2021

Maryn Liles
Maryn writes about home and cleaning plus humor for Reader's Digest. She has 15 years of experience as a national magazine editor for brands including Parents and HGTV Magazine, covering everything from the best robotic vacuums to the most remote destinations around the world. She has also written for Walmart, Better Homes & Gardens and others. When she's not chasing down her next story, you can find Maryn working on her latest home-decor DIY project, out for a hike or dancing around the house to '80s jams.