Laundry experts take on the liquid vs. powder detergent vs. pods debate to help you determine which is right for your laundry
When it comes to laundry detergent, the options may feel endless. There are tons of brands to choose from, but the more important question may be which type of detergent works best when doing laundry: Is liquid vs. powder detergent better? And what about laundry pods? Are they worth the hype—or should you stick with the basics?
“All detergents have pros and cons,” says LaundryTok expert Melissa Dilkes Pateras, author of A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home. She notes that the powder vs. liquid laundry detergent vs. pods debate boils down to personal preference and your laundry needs. Saving money may take precedence over ease, for instance. But if you want a product that can pretreat stains, your idea of the “best” detergent choice will likely be different.
To find out which type of detergent is right for you, Reader’s Digest consulted Pateras and Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist and laundry expert. Ahead, you’ll find out what each type has to offer and get expert tips to help you maximize their performance.
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Powder laundry detergent
In the long-standing liquid vs. powder detergent debate, powder comes out on top in one aspect: budget. Powder is by far the most wallet-friendly option.
It’s also a smart pick for extra-dirty loads. “Powder detergent is usually formulated at a higher pH, which can optimize cleaning of heavily soiled work clothes and sports uniforms,” Gagliardi says.
As you’re considering powder vs. liquid laundry detergent, be mindful of the benefits and drawbacks below.
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Expert tips for using powder laundry detergent
If you find powder detergent a little hard to work with but your budget absolutely loves it, our laundry experts have some advice.
Always use warm or hot water
Yes, the correct water temperature for washing clothes ultimately depends on the fabric, but you really need warm or hot water if you decide to use a powder detergent. That’s because some powders struggle to dissolve in cold water. As a result, clothes may end up coated with a grainy residue and not get as clean.
Predissolve powder detergent for delicates
If you’re washing an item that calls for cold water, Gagliardi suggests predissolving powder detergent in a little hot water before adding it to the machine. This will take care of potential dissolving problems and give your detergent the right amount of cleaning power.
Put powder detergent in the tub or dispenser
When you’re washing everyday laundry loads, pouring powder detergent into either the dispenser or tub should work fine. Just be sure to check your washing machine’s instructions first.
Liquid laundry detergent
If you prefer washing your clothes in cold water, you’re going to want to go with a liquid vs. powder detergent. The main difference between powder and liquid detergents is their dissolvability in water at different temperatures. “Liquid detergent disperses easily in cold water temperatures, so it’s great if you want to exclusively use cold water,” says Gagliardi, noting a common laundry fact that people often use cold water for energy savings (though it’s also gentler on clothes).
If you’re still deciding between liquid and powder detergent, the positives and negatives below should help clear things up.
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Expert tips for using liquid laundry detergent
Before you pour that liquid detergent into your next load of laundry, be sure you know how to use it properly. Below, Pateras and Gagliardi share their tips for using liquid laundry detergent in a way that cleans clothes and removes stains—and doesn’t fall into common traps.
Use it in the right quantity
Simply measure the correct amount with the cap provided and add it to your washing machine’s tub or dispenser. Resist the urge to pour extra in a misguided attempt to get your laundry extra clean! As our experts point out, anything more or less could affect how your laundry comes out.
That’s especially true if you have a high-efficiency washer. These machines use smaller amounts of water than traditional washers, so they actually perform better with less detergent.
Use it to combat stains
“I prefer liquid detergent because I also pretreat stains with it,” says Pateras. Just pour just enough detergent onto the garment to cover the stain, let it soak for a few minutes and then toss it in with the rest of your load.
Laundry detergent pods
While you probably now know where you stand on the powder vs. liquid laundry detergent debate, you might still be wondering about pods. The least-messy detergent option, pods are premeasured, and the detergent is contained. They are also easy to transport, which is why they’re a good pick for people using communal laundry rooms.
Read on for some benefits and drawbacks to think about before you reach for that container of laundry pods.
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Expert tips for using laundry pods
Pods make doing laundry quicker, easier and less messy, but you have to know how to use them the right way. And if you have kids or pets, it’s essential that you take some basic safety precautions. Here’s what the experts advise:
Know when and where to add the pods
If you have a front-loading washer, your gut instinct may be to put the pod in the detergent drawer, but not so fast! These go in the drum, just like your clothes.
The exact placement matters. “Laundry pods typically must be added to the clothes washer prior to adding your laundry so that they dissolve,” says Gagliardi. If you put the pods on top of your laundry, they might not dissolve, which could leave residue on your clothes and not clean them as well.
So place the pods in the bottom of the washer drum, then add your clothes and run your washing machine cycle. If you have a large-capacity washer and it is fully loaded, use two pods for better cleaning results.
Keep pods out of reach of young kids
You’ve probably heard about the dangers of laundry pods—and for good reason. The brightly colored pods look like candy to kids and are toxic if consumed. That’s why proper storage is so important.
“Pods must be kept in their original packaging,” says Gagliardi. “The pods won’t be visible and therefore are not appealing to children.” That said, you should still go one step further and store them high up, where children (and pets) can’t reach them.
FAQs
Liquid or powder detergent: Which is better?
There’s no single answer to the liquid vs. powder detergent debate. It depends on the stain, the fabric and the water. Powder detergents work better at warmer temperatures but struggle with cold water. They’re great for tough stains, though, like mud or grass.
Liquid detergent, on the other hand, can help pretreat oily or greasy stains before you toss items in the laundry. This is the most effective type of detergent for cold-water cleaning, and experts say it’s ideal for hard water.
Can you mix powder and liquid detergent in the same wash cycle?
Experts generally advise against mixing two kinds of detergents. This is because the detergents can react to each other and make it tougher for the washing machine to clean your load. Whether you’re using liquid or powder detergent (or pods), stick to one type.
“But wait,” you say, “I can use both detergent and fabric softener at the same time! How does this differ?” For starters, detergent and fabric softener work at different times in a wash cycle. And fabric softener is specifically formulated to be used after detergent.
Which type of detergent is better for the environment?
Powder detergent is more environmentally friendly than liquid or pod formulations. One big reason for that: the packaging. Liquid detergent and pods use a lot of plastic in the packaging process, while powder detergent packaging is mostly recyclable. Beyond that, powder detergent uses less water during the wash.
How do these detergents affect washing machine maintenance and longevity?
Using too much laundry detergent (of any type) can leave a residue in your washing machine that clogs pipes and other components. Pay close attention to the recommended detergent amount on the container, and clean your washing machine regularly.
About the experts
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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 on liquid vs. powder detergent vs. pods, Maryn Liles tapped her experience as a home writer, and then Mary Marlowe Leverette, a fabric-care expert with more than 40 years of experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We also relied on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and 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
- Roto-Rooter: “What Can Break a Washing Machine? 4 Items to Watch For”
- Swash: “Why You Shouldn’t Put Too Much Soap In Your Washing Machine”
