Do Tide PODS go in the drum?

Author: Bernie Swift  |  Last update: Thursday, July 9, 2026

The most important rule to remember when it comes to laundry detergent pods is to always add the pods to the drum before adding the clothes and water. A pod placed on top of clothes might not dissolve all the way. This leaves you with streaks and spotting from detergent being left on wet clothes.

Do Tide PODS go in the tub?

Add pods to the washer tub before clothing, either to the back or bottom of the tub and never to the detergent dispenser unless you're directed to by your washer's manufacturer. Adding them to an empty tub helps them dissolve properly and can help prevent detergent streaks or residue on clothing.

Do you just throw the tide pod in the washer?

Instead of worrying about measuring the right dose or pre-treating stains, just place a single pac of Tide PODS® into your washer drum before starting your wash. It's that simple!

Where do I put Tide PODS in my washing machine?

How to Dose Tide POWER PODS®:
  1. Simply place one pac of Tide POWER PODS® into the back of your washing machine's empty drum.
  2. Add your laundry, select your preferred wash program, and use the temperature setting indicated on the fabric care label of your garments.

Which slot do Tide PODS go in?

Don't put it in the detergent slot!

While it may seem counterintuitive, laundry pods are designed to be placed in the drum with your laundry, before your laundry and never in the detergent slot. The pods are designed to dissolve in water, so be sure to handle them with dry hands.

How To Use Tide Pods

Do Tide PODS go directly into drum?

Adding Pods to Washing Machines

Washers with automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensers don't mix well with pods. Therefore, never place pods in dispenser drawers, only in the drum. Single-dose pods dissolve completely in both warm and cold water. However, the weather can affect the pod's ability to dissolve.

Do I put detergent in drawer 1 or 2?

1 Main wash compartment: Detergent for the main wash, water softener, pre-soaking agent, bleach and stain remover. 2 Softener compartment: Fabric softener (do not fill higher than the line indicated by MAX). 3 Prewash compartment: Detergent for prewash or starch.

What happens if you put Tide Pod in the dispenser?

Why shouldn't you put laundry pods in the dispenser? Most detergent dispensers in a washer are not designed for laundry pods that require a significant amount of water to start the dissolving process. Placing the pod in the dispenser will result in a clog and clothes that aren't clean.

What is a drum in a washing machine?

All you need to know about washing machine drums

It is what acts as a container for clothes during a wash cycle, and is made of stainless steel generally. It's main purpose is to hold the laundry, while water, detergent, and the drum agitator go about their work, cleaning your clothes thoroughly.

Are Tide PODS better than liquid?

Laundry pods offer a few key advantages over liquid detergent, including pre-measured dosing, less mess, ease of use, and eco-friendly packaging.

Do Tide PODS clog your washing machine?

Laundry pods only dissolve when they come into contact with water, so they may not fully disintegrate in the dispenser drawer. This could lead to parts of your washing machine becoming clogged and you needing to call out a professional — a major inconvenience.

Where is the drum on a washer?

The one you see where the clothes are loaded is the inner drum, which moves around the washing machine and is perforated with holes to allow the water in and out. The outer tub contains the inner drum and the water, stopping it from leaking into the rest of the machine and supports the inner drum.

Can I wash clothes without Tide PODS?

Use Laundry Borax or Baking Soda

If you have no detergent at all, use 1 cup of borax or baking soda for a normal load. Pretreat stains before washing and use the warmest water temperature recommended for the garments.

Do I just throw my Tide PODS in the washer?

How To Use Laundry Pods. "The pod should be placed directly in the drum of the machine, not in the detergent drawer where it can clog the water flow," Mottola explains.

What is considered a large load of laundry?

Generally speaking, while the number of clothing items in a load will vary, a medium or regular-sized load of dirty clothes weighs around 6 pounds. Large loads of laundry weigh about 11 pounds and extra-large loads about 21 pounds.

Where do you put tide pods?

How to Use Tide PODS®: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Determine the size of your load to avoid overloading your washing machine. ...
  • Open the child-safe packaging. ...
  • Place the pod(s) at the back or bottom of the machine drum, not in the dispenser drawer. ...
  • Place clothes into the washing machine directly on top of the laundry pod.

Can you put detergent in the drum?

Yes, you can put washing powder straight in the drum, but make sure to thoroughly dilute it first. This means that there should be water in the drum before you add the laundry detergent.

How many tide pods per load?

For small loads of laundry (less than 6 pounds) you only need one laundry pod. For a standard load of laundry (6-10 pounds) use two laundry pods. If you're doing a large load washing sheets and towels (11+ pounds) or if you're using a high-capacity machine, you probably need three laundry pods.

Why not to use Tide PODS?

Bloomberg cited 2023 research in the journal Chemistry & Chemical Technology that called into question manufacturers' degradability claims for the films. The study concluded that there was sediment in pipes after such pods are used, “resulting in the formation of microplastics, which later enter the environment.”

How to use laundry pods in top loader?

How to Use Pods in a Top Load Washer
  1. Step 1: Place the detergent pod in the washer drum. Unless otherwise instructed by your owner's manual, drop a laundry pod directly into the bottom of your top load washer's drum. ...
  2. Step 2: Sort and load laundry into the washer. ...
  3. Step 3: Select wash cycle and start.

Is it better to put liquid detergent in drum or drawer?

Dosing directly into the drum helps you to achieve outstanding results.

What happens if you put detergent in the wrong compartment?

Don't put detergent in the fabric softener drawer

For one thing, it would miss the actual wash cycle. Putting detergent in the wrong compartment can also result in detergent residue remaining on the fabric, which can cause skin irritations, according to the IKW.

Can I put laundry detergent directly in the washer?

Johanes Godoy, laundry and cleaning expert at Liox Clean agrees: 'I suggest adding liquid laundry detergent directly to the washing machine drum instead of the detergent drawer. This approach ensures the detergent dissolves properly and spreads evenly throughout the wash.

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