Laundry pods easily deserve a spot in the Clutch Inventions Hall of Fame, right up there with sliced bread and wireless headphones. Pods have prevented countless messes in laundry rooms across the world and eliminated the need to measure liquid detergent in that cap that’s impossible to read.
There’s no doubt laundry pods blow liquid detergent out of the water (pun totally intended). But are you using your laundry pods correctly?
In this article, we’re going back to basics. Keep reading to learn how many laundry pods you really need to use, when to put them in, and where they belong in your washer (yes, there’s a right place for them).
1. Choose the Right Number of Laundry Pods
Laundry pods have a much higher concentration of cleaning agents compared to liquid detergent, so you don’t need nearly as much to clean your clothes.
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide how many pods to use, depending on your load size:
- For small loads of laundry (less than 6 pounds) you only need one laundry pod.
- For a standard load of laundry (6-10 pounds) use two laundry pods.
- If you’re doing a large load washing sheets and towels (11+ pounds) or if you’re using a high-capacity machine, you probably need three laundry pods.
Adding too many laundry pods into the washer can leave residue on your clothes and cause buildup in your washing machine—not to mention you’re (literally) throwing money down the drain.
Laundry pods are little, but they pack a big punch.
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2. Put Your Laundry Pod in the Washer Drum
Always put your laundry pods into the washing machine before adding your dirty laundry—never on top of it. Laundry pods activate when they come into contact with water. Accordingly, if you toss them on top of your clothes they might burst too early and cause stains. Or, if the pods get trapped in a bundle of dirty laundry, the detergent might not distribute properly.
If you have a front-loading machine, place your laundry detergent pod in the back of the bottom of the wash drum (not into the special compartment marked for detergent).
If you have a top-loading machine, fill your washer drum with water first, then place your laundry pod in the back of the bottom of the wash drum. This will evenly distribute the detergent in the water before it hits your clothes.
Pro tip: Be sure not to overload your machine, otherwise the laundry pods may not dissolve and disperse the way they’re designed to.
Also, make sure to never place a laundry pod in an automatic detergent dispenser drawer—that can cause serious damage to your washing machine (not to mention your clothes won’t get clean).
3. Run Your Normal Wash Cycle
After loading your laundry on top of the pod, you can start your normal wash cycle. Laundry pods are designed to work inside any washing machine and dissolve in any water temperature, so you don’t need to worry about choosing a specific setting, like perm press or heavy soil.
At Laundry Sauce, we actually recommend using cold water (minimum 60°F) with our luxury scented detergent pods—it’s better for the environment (and your wallet) since the cycle uses less energy to heat the water.
All that’s left is to let those pods work their magic while you enjoy the sophisticated fragrances wafting through your home.
Pro tip: Hang dry or tumble dry your laundry on low heat to maximize the strength of the scent.
How to Use Laundry Pods: Common Questions
You’ve got questions about laundry pods—we’ve got answers.
How Many Laundry Pods Should You Use?
For small loads, use one laundry pod. For standard loads, use two laundry pods. For large or extra-large loads, use three laundry pods.
Where Do You Put Laundry Pods in the Wash?
If you have a front-loading machine, place the laundry pod directly to the back of the bottom of your washer drum—not into the special compartment marked for detergent.
If you have a regular top-loading machine, fill your washer drum with water first, then place the laundry pod directly into the back of the bottom of the wash drum.
Do You Add Laundry Pods Before or After the Clothes?
Always put laundry pods into your washing machine before adding your clothes, towels, or bedsheets. This will maximize their performance.
What Should You Do If There Are Stains After Washing with Pods?
If you find stains, streaks, or spots on your clothes, rewash them as soon as you can without adding any more pods or detergent.
Avoid placing stained clothes into a hot dryer—the heat can “bake in” the stains, making them harder to remove.
Do Laundry Pods Dissolve in Cold Water?
Yes, the coating around laundry detergent pods will dissolve in any water temperature including cold, room temperature, or hot water.
Do You Use Laundry Pods Instead of Detergent?
Yes, laundry pods are a replacement for liquid laundry detergent. You don’t need to use a combination.
Can You Use Fabric Softener and Laundry Pods Together?
Yes, fabric softener can be a great supplement for laundry pods to make your clothes feel silky smooth. Just make sure you don’t add fabric softener directly into your washing machine drum with the pods. Instead, place a capful into the dispenser labeled “fabric softener.”
Can You Use Bleach and Laundry Pods Together?
Yes, you can use bleach with laundry detergent pods. If you decide to use bleach, make sure you follow the directions provided by the bleach manufacturer and use the designated compartment on your washing machine marked “Bleach,” if available.
Word to the wise: Using bleach will probably lessen the fragrance from your laundry pods.
Meet the World’s Best Smelling Laundry Pods
The laundry detergent aisle might be the most boring place inside any supermarket—it’s an endless sea of boring scents and bland packaging. Luckily, you never have to go there again.
We got bored washing our clothes with the same scents our parents (and grandparents) had, so we created Laundry Sauce luxury-scented laundry pods. We collaborated with world-class perfumers to develop pods that smell as amazing as they perform.
Coming in bold fragrances like Australian Sandalwood, Egyptian Rose, Indonesian Patchouli, and Siberian Pine, these pods are guaranteed to make your clothes smell better for a dollar per load—or we’ll give your money back.
Not sure which scent suits your vibe? Take this 2-minute quiz and we’ll tell you!
