Laundry pods, also known as detergent pods or packs, are a popular way to do laundry. They contain a pre-measured amount of detergent in a convenient single-use package. However, some people find that the pods don’t always fully dissolve in the wash.
The Role of Water Temperature
One factor is water temperature. Laundry pods are designed to dissolve best in warm to hot water temperatures. If you wash clothes in cold water, the pod may not dissolve completely. The gelatin material surrounding the detergent dissolves more easily in warmer water.
Issues with Pod Placement
Proper placement of pods in the washing machine can also affect dissolution. For top-loading machines, it’s best to place the pod directly in the drum before adding clothes. If placed on top of clothes, the pod may get encased in a piece of clothing and not make full contact with the water.
In front-loading washers, make sure the pod goes in first and lands flat on the bottom for best results. If it gets stuck on the door seal or somewhere out of the main flow of water, it may not fully dissolve.
Looking to the Future
Laundry pod manufacturers continue working to improve the product, enhancing dissolution in all water temperatures and machine types. Many have adjusted their pod formulas over time to be more water soluble.
While pods don’t always dissolve completely under certain conditions, following usage directions can help ensure you get the best results from laundry pods. Check your machine’s manual if you have any doubts. With some adjustments to laundry habits, pods can be an effective way to get clothes clean.
References
- American Cleaning Institute. “How to Use Laundry Packet Detergents.” Clean Living. https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean-living/how-to-use-laundry-packet-detergents
- Persil. “Why Won’t My Laundry Detergent Dissolve?” Persil.com. https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-questions/why-won’t-my-laundry-detergent-dissolve.html
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.