Laundry pods vs liquid detergent – how to choose the right one for your needs

Which is better: laundry pods or liquid detergent? With such a dizzying choice of products out there, it can be difficult to decide which to go for when doing your laundry.

While laundry pods are liquid detergents in a solvable capsule, they do offer somewhat different results from liquids, our laundry experts share. There are different schools of thought on whether liquid detergent works best when encapsulated into a pod, or when you pour it out yourself from a bottle.

Of course, learning how to do laundry is all about trial and error, but if you want to enjoy optimal results, our laundry pros have the answers.

What are the pros and cons of laundry pods?

The main pro of laundry pods is that they are convenient to use and easy to store. Just make sure to keep your laundry pods in an air tight container to avoid any humidity dissolving the membrane around the liquid and sticking multiple ones together.

When you're ready to do laundry, take one pod out and toss it into the washer drum directly with your items.

The other pros of laundry pods are:

• Concentrated: Many laundry pods contain concentrated laundry detergent, which results in a better clean and less product used.
• Better stain-lifting power: Many laundry pods are formulated specifically for heavily soiled laundry loads. This is great if your clothes are regularly muddy from a sports activity, for example.

The main con of laundry pods is that they can be more expensive than liquid detergent, despite being advertised as a budget-friendly option. Taylor Sutherland, President of Charlie's Soap, explains that ‘the small size often means you need to use two or three of them to get the clean you want.’

Other cons of detergent pods are:

• They tend to contain harsher detergents, leaving clothes less soft than liquids.
• Not suitable for delicates or wool sweaters: in fact, using laundry pods on delicates is one of the main laundry pod mistakes people make.
• Limited options for those who like a nicer fragrance, although the Natural Solutions Laundry Pods (which you can buy on Amazon) have real lavender oil in them and smell great.

What are the pros and cons of liquid detergent?

The main pro of liquid detergent is that it’s ‘great for getting the detergent mixed into the wash cycle, even in cold water,’ says Taylor. Other pros of liquid detergent are:

• There are many more liquid detergent options out there than detergent pods.
• Liquid detergent tends to have nicer fragrances, including designer fragrances.
• Many liquid detergents have more luxurious formulas than pods, which means they leave fabrics feeling softer. This reduces the need for dryer sheets.
• More specialized options for delicate fabrics and woolens. We think that The Laundress range of liquid detergents cannot be beaten for great results for silk, cashmere, and other expensive fabrics.
  

The cons of liquid detergents ‘are:

• They are often not as concentrated as pods.
• They are usually messy, especially if you have an unwieldy large bottle.
• According to Taylor, ‘People fear that they are buying unnecessary amounts of water.’ Liquid detergents are often perceived as wasteful, and it is easy to misjudge how much to pour in.
• Easy to use more than necessary, which can lead to build up on clothes and in your washer.

Which is the overall better option: laundry pods or liquid detergent?

Overall, neither laundry pods nor liquid detergents is inherently ‘better’. It all depends on what you wash the most, how often, and how your laundry room is organized.

As Taylor aptly puts it, ‘Asking which is the best, is like asking which is the best car, a Ferrari or a Chrysler minivan? Each is very good at what they were intended to do.’

‘All you have to do is find out what kind of person you are and the detergent delivery method that fits your particular lifestyle. Once you figure out which flavor, brand, and style you like, just choose and relax’, recommends Taylor. No matter what different brands claim, neither is necessarily superior – it’s all about preference.

Taylor also strongly urges people to ignore the claims that a particular product is ‘super-concentrated’, and that it will save you more money than any other type. ‘ If I could stress one thing’, he says, 'it would be to ask that consumers pay close attention to how many real-world loads you'll get out of each package. That is where you'll discover the real value.’

If a detergent says you only need one cap or pod, but in reality you end up using more for your needs, you will know that it’s not cost-effective for you. Despite efforts to give consumers an idea of the number of uses you can get from a product, these are approximations.

In the laundry pods vs liquid detergent battle, neither wins definitively. Both forms of detergent have their pros and cons. These days, both product types have a variety of options to suit most tastes. However, bear in mind that laundry pods are unsuitable for delicate fabrics and wool.

Learn how to hand-wash wool like a pro and avoid damage and build up, as well as why toxicologists recommend ditching blue detergent.