Laundry Pods vs Liquid Detergent

When it comes to keeping your clothes clean and smelling fresh, the right detergent makes all the difference. But with so many types to choose from, how do you know which one is the right choice for you? And what are the differences, anyway? 

If you’ve been wondering whether to make the switch between liquid detergent and laundry pods (or vice versa), we’re here to help. Here we explore the pros and cons of each option to help you decide between the two. Or maybe you’ll discover that neither one is the perfect fit, in which case, we’ve still got you covered.

Let’s discuss the differences between laundry pods and liquid detergent in X key categories.

1. Convenience

When using liquid laundry detergent, getting the measurement right can be tricky. After all, every formula is different and measurements can vary significantly depending on whether the formula is concentrated or not. Laundry pods take the guesswork out of the equation. 

Laundry pods are single-use packets of laundry detergent contained within a biodegradable film. When exposed to water, the film dissolves and releases the detergent into the water. For most loads, you only need to toss in a single laundry pod instead of guessing at how much liquid detergent you need to pour in. 

Though handy, laundry pods are less customizable than liquid detergent. If you have a heavily soiled load, an extra tablespoon of liquid detergent might be just right while a second laundry pod could be too much.

2. Messy Spills

If you value a clean and tidy laundry area, liquid detergent might not be the right choice. Though many detergent bottles are designed with easy-pour spouts, there are bound to be drips and there’s always potential for spillage. And then you have to deal with rinsing out the cap so it doesn’t drip detergent down the side of the bottle. 

With laundry pods, you don’t have to worry about measuring and each dose of detergent is neatly contained inside a packet of plastic-like film. You can just grab a pod from the tub and toss it into the washing machine—no measuring, no mess. 

As with any household product, however, proper storage is essential with laundry pods. If they’re exposed to moisture, the plastic film could start to dissolve and leave you with a sticky mess inside the storage tub. Exposure to heat and direct sunlight can cause the product to start breaking down as well. 

3. Cleaning Power

It’s difficult to make a direct comparison between laundry pods and liquid detergent, simply because there are so many different products out there. Generally speaking, the two offer similar cleaning power. But it depends on how you use them.

Laundry pods are ideal for a typical load of laundry—one that’s not too big and not too heavily soiled. That said, many pods contain concentrated formulas, so you might get more cleaning power than you would with a similar volume of liquid detergent. 

If you’re dealing with a large load or heavily soiled clothing, however, it’s easy to add a little more liquid detergent in cases when a single laundry pod might not do the trick. Liquid detergent can also be used to pre-treat stains while laundry pods don’t dissolve until they’re in the wash.

4. Cost Per Load

When it comes to choosing the right detergent, it can be a challenge to balance cost against effectiveness. Cheap liquid detergent is often watered down, so you may need to use more of it to achieve the desired level of cleaning power. In other words, your upfront cost may be lower but you might go through the bottle more quickly. 

Laundry pods typically cost more than liquid detergent on a per-load basis but they’re pretty consistent. One pod generally equates to one load of laundry. This makes it easier to budget out your weekly or monthly laundry expenses, and there’s less potential for waste or overuse.

If you tend to wash heavily soiled loads or often deal with stubborn stains, laundry pods might not be enough. You may still have to shell out for stain removers whereas liquid detergent can generally be used as a pre-wash stain treatment.

5. Eco-Friendliness

In terms of eco-friendliness, your washing machine might make more of a difference than the detergent you choose. For example, front-load models use less water than top-load models and high-efficiency (HE) washers are designed to consume less electricity. However, if you’re concerned about waste or environmental impact, there are some points worth making. 

When you purchase liquid detergent, you’re usually buying a big plastic bottle. Concentrated formulas often come in smaller volumes, but there’s still a good deal of packaging to deal with. Some brands use materials like mono polyethylene (PE) which is easier to recycle than plastic but many detergent bottles still end up in the trash.

Laundry pods are self-contained but they’re still sold in bags or tubs. Depending on the quantity you’re purchasing, the packaging might be smaller than a detergent bottle but it’s not necessarily going to be recyclable. Some brands use cardboard boxes or recyclable pouches but because laundry pods need to be protected from moisture, plastic is still the material of choice.

Which Option Is Right for You? 

The market for laundry detergent is vast and varied, so there might not be a single “perfect” product. Depending on your needs and preferences, however, one type of product might be a better fit than another. 

To help you decide between laundry pods and liquid detergent, we’ve put together a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

Laundry pods might be the right choice for:

• Smaller households and people who only do laundry once a week

• People seeking a simple, mess-free alternative to liquid and powder detergent

• Regular and high-efficiency washers, as long as they’re placed in the drum

• Households that typically do warm or hot water washes

• People looking to reduce plastic waste by minimizing detergent packaging

• Households that don’t typically deal with heavily soiled loads or stubborn stains

Liquid detergent might be the right choice for: 

• Families or households that do multiple loads of laundry per week

• People who want to choose how much detergent to use in each load

• Any type of washing machine, including models with dispensing drawers

• Households that primarily wash in cold water cycles

• People looking for a refillable option (only some detergent brands offer this)

• Households that deal with heavy soiling where pretreatment is needed

Try Something New with Sheets Laundry Club

If by now you’ve started to wonder whether your current laundry routine is the right fit, don’t worry—there’s another way. With Sheets Laundry Club, you can ditch messy liquids and powders without settling for pods. Our detergent sheets are mess-free and easy to use. 

Plus, if you sign up for our Subscribe & Save program, you can have them delivered right to your door on a schedule that works for you. So say goodbye to the headaches and hassles of your current laundry routine and say hello to simplicity with Sheets Laundry Club.

Shop laundry essentials from single-use detergent sheets to powerful scent boosters to get started.