Why shouldn't you put
Place the pac(s) at the back or bottom of the machine drum, not in the dispenser drawer.
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.
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.
Did you know that dishwasher pods often don't fully dissolve, leading to residue buildup in your dishwasher and on your dishes? This can cause maintenance issues and potential repairs.
There are some dishwashers, like GE Appliances' drawer-style models, that have pod-specific compartments, but in general, pods should be placed in the traditional detergent dispenser compartment. If it's placed elsewhere, it won't necessarily harm the machine or your dishes, but you won't get an effective clean.
Tide Pods can cause issues like residue build-up, clogs, or over-sudsing if not used correctly. These problems are more common in older machines or when pods are placed in the detergent drawer instead of the drum. Proper use and regular washer maintenance minimize the risk of damage.
Run an Empty Rinse Cycle
Once the dishwasher is as soap-free as possible, run an empty rinse cycle. Monitor it closely to ensure no excess suds remain. If there are still signs of soap, repeat the rinse cycle until the machine is completely clear.
If you've accidentally used regular detergent in your HE washing machine, cancel the cycle. Set a spin cycle and then a rinse/spin cycle to remove all the suds. Resume washing the load using cold water. If there are suds left over after a wash, that's a sign you've used too much detergent.
Liquid detergent can go into the drum with no problem, but this should be avoided with powder. Adding powder to the drawer ensures it will dissolve before hitting your clothes to prevent powdery marks and white stains. Adding it to the drum may result in an uneven wash and oily residue.
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!
What happens if you put too many Tide pods in the washer? Using too much of any type of detergent leaves residue in clothes that traps soil and odors, and causes them to feel stiff and scratchy. If you accidentally use too much detergent, add an extra rinse cycle or rewash the load without adding more detergent.
Check Water Temperature: Laundry pods are designed to dissolve best in warm water. If you're using cold water for your wash cycle, try switching to a warmer setting. However, be mindful of the fabric care instructions for your clothing.
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.
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.
This is a result of detergent residue that hasn't been fully rinsed out, and it can turn your previously soft wardrobe into a crunchy, scratchy, uncomfortable-to-wear load of clothes.
Health and Safety Concerns: Using laundry detergent for washing dishes can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and if not thoroughly rinsed, ingestion of chemical residues. It's crucial to use products specifically formulated for dishes to avoid these risks.
A more immediate problem is if the detergent results in suds overflowing out of the appliance and onto the floor. Stop the machine, add a little cooking oil, and resume. The oil will kill the suds. I would rewash the dishes, in case the pod contains additives.
What Should I Do if I Used the Wrong Detergent? If you notice that you accidentally used regular detergent in HE washer, the first thing you should do is cancel the wash. Then, start it again, but only at the spin cycle. Next, follow up with a cycle that is rinse and spin only, in order to remove the suds.
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.
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.”