10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Using Laundry Pods (And How To Use Them Correctly)

Laundry pods can be appealing for many reasons. They're quick and easy to use. There's no need for pouring, scooping, or measuring. You simply need to toss the pod in your washer and move on to the next thing on your to-do list. The detergent is also concentrated to help ensure each load gets thoroughly cleaned. Many laundry packs also feature multiple types of detergents, which are released at different points throughout the wash cycle. Without pods, you wouldn't be able to ensure these different cleaning agents were added at the right time during the cycle.

However, while laundry tablets come with many benefits and are generally easy to use, there are several mistakes that people often make when using them. These mistakes have the potential to cancel out some of the advantages of choosing them over other detergent types. They may prevent the tabs from fully dissolving in the load, can interfere with their ability to get each load clean, and could even decrease the lifespan of the pods that you're saving for later use. Ahead, we'll explore some of the errors that you should avoid when using laundry pods and share some pointers to help you ensure that you're using them correctly.

You only need to toss one dishwasher tablet in to clean a load of dishes, so you should only use one laundry pod when cleaning clothing or linens, right? Unfortunately, if you've been operating by following this line of reasoning, then you've just identified one mistake that you're guilty of. The number of pods you should actually be using on laundry day can vary. Using only one tablet with your large loads may result in your clothing, sheets, towels, and other items not getting fully cleaned.

Instead, it is important to choose the ideal number of pods that are needed based on the size of each load. While this can vary based on the manufacturer of the specific product that you are using, a single pack is typically only recommended for small to medium loads. If you are washing a large load of laundry, the directions will typically call for two tablets. Manufacturers will often direct you to use three pods on extra-large loads.

While there are no precise measurements for when a load changes from standard (small to medium) to large or extra large, there are some general indicators that you can use to help you gauge how many pods you'll need. A standard load of laundry weighs about six pounds and will fill most washing machine drums about halfway. Large loads weigh closer to 11 pounds and will consume about three-quarters of the drum space. Extra-large loads may weigh more than 20 pounds and will fill the drum nearly all the way (just make sure that there is still sufficient space for the laundry to move around to get cleaned properly). Extra-dirty loads may also require an extra pod.

If your washing machine has a detergent dispenser, it is a logical conclusion to assume that you should put the pods in the dispenser. After all, they're technically detergent, and you're using them in place of powdered or liquid options, so shouldn't they go where these cleaners would go? However, adding packs to the detergent dispenser is a mistake that can have a negative impact on how your laundry comes out. Laundry tablets that are placed in the dispenser likely won't fully dissolve. If not dissolved properly, you may be disappointed to find that your clothes come out of the wash looking streaked and not fully cleaned. Adding them to the drawer for liquid detergent could also clog the dispenser or the path that liquid detergent follows to reach the drum.

To avoid making this big mistake when using laundry pods, you'll always want to add them directly into the washing machine drum. This will allow them to come into contact with more water, ensuring that they dissolve fully and don't leave your clothes streaky or not fully cleaned.

We just told you to put the pods directly into the drum, but did you know that there is a correct order to load your laundry and the tablets? If you put your clothes, towels, or sheets into the washer before the pods, you'll actually be making another serious mistake. When the laundry packs are put in last, they're less likely to dissolve properly. The water doesn't always reach them to break through the casing and release the detergent. Sometimes, tablets that are added last get stuck on the side of the washing machine or even the inside of the lid/door. If they don't dissolve properly, your clothing isn't going to get fully cleaned and may come out smelling dirty still. Again, it will also be possible for items to be covered with streaks of the undissolved, concentrated detergent.

The solution to avoid this mistake is simple. The laundry packs should always be the first item to go in the washing machine. This will make sure the water that fills the tub reaches the table and enables it to dissolve fully. So, pod first, then clothes.

Several laundry pods currently on the market feature a stain remover. Because of this, a common mistake that many people make is assuming that included treatment will take care of all stains and eliminate the need for pre-treating spots before washing. If you follow this line of thinking, you're likely to remove your clothes at the end of the cycle, only to realize that the discoloration is still there. And, even worse, after washing and drying the load, that stain may now be set in and all the more difficult to remove.

Instead of seeing the included stain removers in your laundry pods as the only thing you'll need to eliminate blemishes from your item, view them as an added bonus that will support your other efforts. It is still important to pre-treat stains to make sure they are effectively removed. You can use a stain remover product for this, or you can also apply a little bit of liquid laundry detergent to the affected area before starting the load. The key is to make sure you aren't letting those blemishes slip by, as they'll be much more difficult to remove after the clothing or linen has gone through cycles in the washer and dryer.

When you're working in the laundry room, your hands often get wet. Whether you just finished moving a load of damp towels to the dryer, wiped up some spilled fabric softener, or just rinsed residue from a cleaning product off of your hands, they might be wet when you're ready to reach into the package and grab a laundry pod. Reaching in and grabbing that pod with wet hands, however, could wind up being a costly mistake. As you know, the packs are designed to dissolve when they mix with water. So, if your hands are wet when you touch them, the casing could start dissolving. This can result in several pods sticking together from the bit of damp detergent that is released. Plus, you'll be exposing your bare skin to the concentrated detergent. Depending on your level of sensitivity, this may irritate your skin. It could cause even more serious irritation if you happen to rub your eyes with your hands.

Fortunately, avoiding these problems is as simple as making sure your hands are dry before reaching into the container to remove a laundry tablet. Consider keeping a clean hand towel near the package as a reminder to dry your hands each time you need to grab a pod.

There are several dangers of overloading your washing machine that apply no matter what type of detergent you're using. Clothes and linens don't move properly in an overloaded machine, which can prevent them from getting cleaned thoroughly and may also cause them to wear faster or get caught and damaged on zippers and other embellishments. Overfilling the washing machine can also shorten its lifespan or make costly repairs necessary because of all the work that the motor has to do with such full loads. Overloading the washer is a mistake for an additional reason when you're using laundry pods. If there are too many clothes and linens crammed in the drum, it can prevent the tablet from dissolving properly. There simply won't be enough space for enough water to move throughout the drum and really soak the tablet enough for it to dissolve.

To avoid this error, take steps to avoid overloading your washing machine. Start by checking the user's guide from the manufacturer, as different models might have unique recommendations regarding how full is too full. However, as a general rule, you'll want to make sure to leave a minimum of six inches between the top of the load of laundry and the upper edge of the drum.

If your laundry pods aren't dissolving, you could also be making a mistake when setting the water temperature for the cycle. Reading this may be confusing to you because most manufacturers advertise that their pods are designed to work with cold, warm, and hot wash cycles. However, if the water is freezing cold — such as it might be in the dead of winter — then it can prevent the pods from fully dissolving.

Most of the year, you should be fine washing your laundry in cold water and using detergent tablets. However, if your area is seeing multiple days of absolutely frigid temperatures, you might be better off switching to the warm water setting when doing laundry. The pods will dissolve much better in this warmer water than they will in the icy water that comes out of the cold water tap when outside temperatures are frigid.

If you're like many, you might prefer to use laundry pods for certain loads and a favorite liquid or powdered detergent for other loads. If your washer has an automatic detergent dispenser, you mustn't forget to disable it when you're opting to use tablets instead of powdered or liquid detergent. Otherwise, that load of laundry is going to get two doses of detergent — once from the pod and again from the liquid or powder that is automatically dispensed during the cycle. Extra detergent isn't going to result in your clothes coming out cleaner. Instead, it can build up on your items and can make the colors look faded. Too much detergent also has the potential to cause potentially serious problems with your washer, such as clogged valves and hoses, mold or mildew growth, and other damage. While such serious issues are unlikely to happen if a single load gets an extra dose of detergent, they'll become more likely if you regularly leave the dispensers active when using laundry packs.

To avoid this, be sure to turn off the automatic dispensers before starting a load of laundry with pods. The steps to do this will vary based on the specific washing machine brand and unit that you have, so you'll want to check in your user's guide.

Laundry pods are versatile and can work with different water temperatures and cleaning cycles. However, using them in a pre-wash or very short cleaning cycle (under 15 minutes) will be a mistake. These cycles might be too short to fully dissolve the tablet, which can prevent it from doing its job and cleaning your clothing. You may think that you should be fine using pods with a pre-wash, since that shorter cycle will be immediately followed by a longer, standard cycle. The only problem is that if the pod starts to dissolve at all, any of the detergent that is released will be drained with the water when the prewash ends. That means that there won't be enough detergent left for your full cycle, and that your clothes could come out of the washing machine without being fully cleaned.

To prevent this problem, you just have to remember to avoid using laundry tablets with a stand-alone pre-wash cycle. It is okay to add the tablet before the pre-wash cycle if it is going to be immediately followed by a regular wash cycle, but not if you are just going to pre-wash the clothes and then leave them before doing a full cycle.

Because they're sealed, many people falsely assume that it doesn't matter how they store their laundry pods. However, if the tablets aren't stored correctly, several potential problems can occur. First, you should never move the laundry packs from their original container into something else for storage. The containers offer an airtight design, which helps prevent moisture from dampening the tablets and causing them to start dissolving prematurely. To further prevent moisture from getting to your pods and making them stick together or leave a mess for you to deal with, you'll also want to be selected about where you leave the container in your laundry room. While the dryer might be the most convenient location, it will expose the tablets to more moisture, which still may find a way inside.

Follow these tips when deciding how and where to store your laundry tabs. First, as mentioned above, always keep them in their original container. Next, choose a shelf or cabinet that is at least slightly removed from the washer and dryer. This will keep them cooler, protecting the pods and preventing heat or humidity from causing them to dissolve before you want them too. If you have children, you'll want to be even more careful when choosing a storage location. The brightly colored sections of detergent in a tablet may make it look appealing to children. However, they are obviously not food. In fact, the concentrated detergent found in pods is toxic. As you're baby-proofing your home so that it's safe and stylish, choose a spot to store the pots that is safely out of the reach of your children to prevent them from accidentally ingesting them.