Doing laundry has always been mundane, yet it's an avoidable chore.

Thankfully, technology has made it super easy to do. Laundry pods allow you to throw your clothes in the washer and go! No measurements or mess. But are laundry pods as good as they seem?

Are they the answer to a hassle-free laundry experience, working better than liquid detergent or powder?

This post seeks to answer which type of detergent is superior in the pods vs. liquid detergent vs. powder debate.

Pros and Cons of Laundry Pods

Laundry pods are similar to dishwasher pods. They contain liquid cleaning ingredients (and sometimes even powder) inside a film designed to be added directly into the washing machine's drum. The film dissolves when the pod comes into contact with the water, releasing the cleaning ingredients into dirty clothes.

Pros of Laundry Pods

Powerful Clean

In addition to the obvious convenience, many people think that laundry pods are better than liquid laundry pods due to their premeasured nature. Besides performing better because they're premeasured, laundry pods also contain more concentrated cleaning agents, allowing for a more effective clean.

Three Products in One

All-in-one liquid laundry pods have three inner chambers. These chambers separate the active ingredients before use and then release them into the wash at the appropriate time. You won't know this is happening unless you're standing there while your clothes complete a washing cycle.

Space Saving

Laundry pods can also save space because, as mentioned above, they incorporate multiple technologies into one pod. You don't need to buy detergents, fabric softeners, or odor eliminators, all-in-one laundry pods do all three.

In a small home or apartment, this is a necessary space saver, but it also comes in handy on trips to the laundromat.

Rather than taking a bulky box or bottle, it's much easier to take a few pods with you.

Cons of Liquid Laundry Pods

The primary con of laundry pods is cost.

However, this con is mitigated because of the concentrated nature of laundry pods and the ability to purchase 3-in-1 pods, which reduces spending on fabric softeners and odor eliminators.

Pros and Cons of Liquid Laundry Detergent

Some people swear by liquid laundry detergent, suggesting it doesn't leave residue and can be properly portioned for the work being done.

Pros of Liquid Laundry Detergent

Can Be Used to Spot-Treat Stains

Liquid detergent can be used as a spot treatment for many stains, including oil and grease, eliminating the need for stain remover.

Good For Handwashing Garments

If you still use the sink in your laundry room for handwashing, laundry detergent works best. It dissolves quicker in cold water than powder detergent and leaves no residue.

Cons of Liquid Laundry Detergent

Not Environmentally Friendly

Liquid laundry detergent can sometimes be quite heavy and difficult to handle.

That doesn't only mean it's difficult to get a precise pour — more on that later — but it also means it uses more gas to ship and transport.

In addition, using liquid detergent often results in a higher amount of plastic waste being generated, which has a detrimental impact on our environment.

Increased Chance of Over-Pouring

Moreover, it's easy to accidentally pour too much detergent when using liquid forms, leading to over-pouring that has the potential to damage your clothes or washing machine. Often clothes shrinkage occurs due to over-pouring liquid detergent, but mechanisms within the machine can also be negatively affected by a heavy pour.

All that overpouring may mean liquid detergent isn't the cost-effective option it's cracked up to be.

Pros and Cons of Powder Laundry Detergent

Powder laundry detergent is the oldest and cheapest of its kind, which to many may equate to it being the best. Wrong.

All the technological advancement in liquid laundry detergent and then laundry detergent pods also means powder laundry detergent is behind the curve.

Pros of Powder Laundry Detergent

Cheap

Because powder laundry detergent is the cheapest of the three types, it can be an effective option on a budget.

However, some of these benefits may be mitigated when you consider the downsides of powder laundry detergent.

Effective on Soiled Loads

Because powder laundry detergent is manufactured at a higher PH, it is often more effective on heavily-soiled garments.

Cons of Powder Laundry Detergent

Damages Washing Machine

However, despite its advantages, powder laundry detergent can be the most expensive and ineffective because it can break the washing machine.

All the undissolved granules build up in the components within the laundry and then damage those parts and the machine.

If you're on a septic or well, that build-up can harm your water supply.

Uses More Water

Although you can portion your powder laundry detergent based on load and soiled clothes, it often can use more water to wash clothes, making it an unsustainable option.

You'll often be left rinsing clothes several times to remove excess powder.

Conclusion

Liquid laundry pods are the superior choice when you're doing a load of laundry. Not only do they provide a more effective clean because of the concentrated formula, but they're also eco-friendly.

You can't go wrong with a laundry pod, especially ones manufactured by POLYVA, a leading manufacturer of OEM laundry pods.