7 items you should never wash with laundry pods

Mary Cornetta, BHG.com on Feb 17, 2026

Skip the convenience of laundry pods when washing these fabrics. (mrs/Getty Images/TCA)

Laundry pods have become a staple in many households thanks to their ease of use and mess-free design. With pre-measured doses of detergent, they make the chore of doing laundry a breeze. However, while most laundry pods are equipped to handle most everyday loads, they aren’t the best choice for everything in your wardrobe.

Items you should never wash with laundry pods

There are some items and fabrics that should not be laundered with laundry pods.

1. Delicates and vintage items

It goes without saying that you should always treat fragile garments with utmost TLC. For this reason, it’s best to skip the pod and stick to a gentler liquid or powder detergent when washing these items. That’s because laundry pods may be too harsh for delicate fabrics, potentially causing damage to the fibers, leading to them weakening or fading.

2. Tough stains

Since laundry pods are pre-packaged in a pre-determined dosage, they’re not ideal for tackling heavily soiled items. As Romine pointed out, the amount of detergent in one pod may not be enough to clean stains, whereas two pods can overdo it. Also, pods can’t be used to pre-treat stained clothing. Instead, saturate the spot with a stain remover and let it penetrate before washing the item with the appropriate amount of liquid or powder detergent.

3. Small loads

While using too little detergent will not give you the cleanest results, too much can also have a negative effect — primarily resulting in residue being left behind on your clothes. Suppose you’re running a small load of laundry and use a pod. In that case, the pod will release a disproportionate amount of detergent, creating excess suds that will be difficult for the machine to rinse away before the cycle is complete.

4. Cold water cycles

Pods can also leave residual detergent on clothes if you use them in cold water loads, as the temperature makes it hard for the pod to dissolve fully. Should you still want to use laundry pods, choose pods that are specifically formulated for cold water to ensure the best wash for your clothes.

5. Down-filled items

Down jackets, coats, and bedding (like comforters and sleeping bags) contain feathers that can clump together when they come in contact with a concentrated detergent pod. This can not only make items look misshapen but also affect their ability to keep you warm. Always launder them with a mild liquid detergent, preferably one labeled as safe for use on down-filled items.

6. Athletic wear

While washing workout clothes using pods is possible, it is generally better to use liquid or powder detergent, especially if you own many moisture-wicking pieces. This is because if the pod does not dissolve completely during the wash cycle, the detergent can become trapped in the fabric fibers.

7. Items with zippers or Velcro

Speaking of zip-ups, avoid washing anything you own containing zippers with pods. Again, if the concentrated formula doesn’t dissolve all the way, it can stay wedged in between the zipper’s teeth, making it harder to slide up and down. Similarly, excess detergent can adhere to Velcro during washing and reduce its effectiveness over time.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)