Blog

Oct 14, 2024

Powder vs. Liquid Detergent vs. Pods: The Best Choice for Your Laundry

By Maryn Liles Reviewed by Mary Marlowe Leverette Updated on May 28, 2024 Laundry experts break down the pros and cons of powder vs. liquid detergent, as well as pods. Find out which is right for you.

By Maryn Liles

Reviewed by Mary Marlowe Leverette

Updated on May 28, 2024

Laundry experts break down the pros and cons of powder vs. liquid detergent, as well as pods. Find out which is right for you.

Getty Images (3)

When it comes to laundry detergent, the options may feel endless. There are tons of brands to choose from, but the more important question may be which type of detergent works best when doing laundry: Is powder vs. liquid detergent better? And what about laundry pods? Are they worth the hype—or should you stick with the basics?(While you’re at it, also learn how to wash silk and hand-wash clothes properly!)

“All detergents have pros and cons,” says LaundryTok expert Melissa Pateras, author of A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home. She notes that it boils down to personal preference and your laundry needs. For example, your desire for a more budget-friendly option may take precedence over a neatly contained detergent. But if you want a detergent that can double as a stain pretreater, your idea of the “best” choice will likely be different.

Reader’s Digest spoke to both Pateras and Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist who’s also known as Dr. Laundry, about which type of detergent is right for you. Ahead, you’ll find out what each has to offer, as well as expert tips to help you maximize their performance.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more cleaning, tech, travel, humor and fun facts all week long.

Nature/Getty Images

On a budget? Powder is by far the most wallet-friendly option when it comes to laundry detergent. It’s also a smart pick for extra-dirty loads. “Powder detergent is usually formulated at a higher pH, which can optimize cleaning of heavily soiled work clothes and sports uniforms,” Gagliardi says. Here’s what else you need to know.

Pros:

Cons:

AndreyPopov/Getty Images

If you prefer washing your clothes in cold water, this is the best type of detergent for you. “Liquid detergent disperses easily in cold water temperatures, so it’s great if you want to exclusively use cold water,” says Gagliardi, noting that people often use cold water for energy savings (though it’s also gentler on clothes). Simply measure the correct amount with the cap provided, and add it to your washing machine’s tub or dispenser. If you’re still deciding between powder vs. liquid detergent, the pros and cons below should help clear things up for you.

Pros:

Cons:

While you probably now know where you stand on the powder vs. liquid detergent debate, you might still be wondering about pods. The least-messy detergent option, pods are premeasured and the detergent is contained. They are also easy to transport, which is why they’re a good pick for people using communal laundry rooms.

Pros:

Cons:

LumenSt/Getty Images

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Maryn Liles tapped her experience as a home writer, and then Mary Marlowe Leverette, a fabric-care expert with more than 40 years of experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We also relied on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

How to Hand-Wash Clothes

How to Separate Laundry

How to Wash White Clothes

Next: Learn how to remove fabric pilling and prevent those annoying balls from forming.