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Is Laundry Detergent Bad? (Here are your best options)

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While detergent is great for cleaning your clothes, they can be detrimental to your clothes, washer, plumbing, and not to mention, the environment.

In this article, we will look at the different forms of detergent and which one is the best option for you.

Are Laundry Pods Bad for Your Washer?

Laundry pods aren’t bad for your washer. If you place them directly into the drum (rather than the dispenser) and let them dissolve before you put your laundry in, you shouldn’t encounter any of the problems laundry pod users report online. The instructions should explain how to use laundry pods. 

More information about whether laundry pods are bad in this detailed article.

Is Liquid Detergent Bad for Your Washing Machine?

Liquid detergent is bad for your washing machine because it usually comes in a more concentrated form and needs a lot of water to dilute properly. It must dilute properly to avoid leaving a lather on clothes—or over-foaming the machine, which can damage your clothes and washing machine. 

Here is a detailed article on whether liquid detergent is bad or not.

Does Powder Detergent Damage Your Washing Machine?

Powder detergent can damage your washing machine over time. Sometimes powder detergent may not fully dissolve in water, leaving little chunks with every wash. These chunks eventually build up into hard residue that causes blockages in the drain pump of your washing machine.

My full article on if powder detergent is bad has more details.

So Which is Better, Pods, Liquid, or Powdered Detergent?

Powder detergent is cheaper than both pods and liquid detergent. However, liquid detergent can wash your clothes better while preserving the colors. Laundry pods are essentially liquid detergent in a convenient package, but they also cost significantly more than the other two options.

So which one is the better choice then?

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