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How to Use Tide Pods Download Article Instructions & best practices for using Tide Pods Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan
Last Updated: February 11, 2025 References
Download Article
Washing With Tide Pods
|
Buying and Storing Tide Pods
|
Avoiding Common Problems
|
Q&A
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 147,531 times.
Tide pods are dissolvable capsules containing the appropriate amount of Tide detergent, stain remover, and brightener for a load of laundry. To use, determine your load size and the number of pods needed, choose the right wash cycles, and insert the pod at the bottom or back of the washing machine drum. Add more to the load or pre-treat as necessary. Store Tide pods out of reach of children and pets.
How to Use Tide Pods
Determine load size to know how many pods to use. Place your pod(s) at the bottom or back of your washer. Use one pod for small to medium loads, two pods for large or super wet loads, and three pods for loads that fill the washing machine. Select your wash cycle. When washing delicates, use Tide Free & Gentle Pods.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Washing With Tide Pods
Download Article
1 Determine load size. Before starting the wash cycle, determine the load size of your laundry. Make sure that your clothes, sheets, or towels are loosely packed into the washer to allow for proper cleaning and rinsing, and to prevent wrinkling and pilling. As a general rule:[1]XResearch source
A small load will fill about 1/3 of the washing machine.
A medium or regular load means that the washer is half full.
A large load fills up about ¾ of the washer.
An extra-large load will fill the washer to full capacity.
2 Add Tide pods. Place Tide Pods at the bottom or back of your washer, then place your laundry on top. Choose the appropriate number of pods based on your load size. Use one pod for small to medium loads, two packs for large or very soiled loads, and three pods when the washing machine is at full capacity.[2]XResearch source
Be sure that you don’t place Tide pods in the dispenser part of your washing machine, but in the drum itself.
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3 Select the wash cycle. Tide pods work in all types of washing machines, in warm and cold water. Choose the correct wash cycle on your washer based on the care instructions on your clothing labels. For a breakdown of what instructions the five fabric care symbols indicate, visit Tide’s website at http://tide.com/en-us/how-to-wash-clothes/how-to-do-laundry/how-to-read-laundry-symbols.
For instance, the symbol showing a water-filled basin with one dot in it indicates that an item should be washed in cold water.
4 Wash delicates. When washing a load of delicates (e.g. undergarments), be sure to use Tide Free & Gentle pods. These pods are free of perfumes and dyes to be gentle on clothing and skin alike. They are also hypoallergenic and dermatologist recommended.[3]XResearch source
5 Remove stains or odors. All Tide pods are formulated with special stain removers. For especially soiled or smelly laundry, add an additional Tide pod to the wash for extra cleaning power. For stuck on stains, pre-treat items by rinsing them in cold water and blotting stains.[4]XResearch source
For extra stain fighting power, buy a Tide to Go Instant Stain remover pen and rub the stain with it prior to washing.
6 Travel with Tide pods. Bring a few tide pods with you when travelling to avoid having to purchase detergent at hotels or nearby shops. Store pods in a hard plastic container to prevent them from being pierced during travel, and from getting wet. You can also transport Tide pods this way for trips to your local laundromat.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Buying and Storing Tide Pods
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1 Buy Tide pods. Purchase Tide pods at your local supermarket, pharmacy, or department store. You can also buy Tide pods online at http://tide.com/en-us/shop and read detailed descriptions of the varieties available. Based on your needs and preferences, choose from:
Tide PODS® Original (containing detergent, stain remover, and brightener)
Tide PODS® Spring Meadow Scent
Tide PODS® Ocean Mist Scent
Tide PODS® Free and Gentle, ideal for individuals with sensitive skin
Tide PODS® Plus Febreze™
Tide PODS® Plus Febreze Odor Defense™
Tide PODS® Plus Downy April Fresh Scent
2 Store Tide pods securely. Tide pods can be toxic if ingested by children or animals, which is a concern given the pods’ colorful and candy-like appearance. Store Tide pods securely in a high cupboard, out of reach for kids and pets. Be vigilant when using laundry pods (e.g. avoid putting a pod down on a counter or table while preparing laundry, or simply make sure kids and pets are out of the room before doing laundry).[6]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
Make sure that the container is locked. The lid or zipper should not open with basic rotation or zipping. To unlock, press the zipper or lid, align it, then open.
Lock Tide Pods in cupboard doors when caring for someone with dementia.
3 Keep Tide pods dry. Make sure that the lid of your Tide pods container is shut firmly before storing, and that the pods are kept dry. Wetness could cause pods to leak and stick together in the container. Accordingly, only use dry hands to handle Tide pods when doing laundry.[7]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Avoiding Common Problems
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1 Place Tide pods in the washer first. To ensure that your Tide Pods dissolve properly, always place them in the washer before you put in your laundry. Placing pods at the bottom of the machine allows for the maximum contact with water necessary to dissolve them. If you need to place laundry in the machine to gauge your load size, do so and then remove it to place the Tide pod at the back or bottom of the barrel.[8]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
2 Avoid overloading your washing machine. Make sure that your washing machine is loosely packed. Overloading your machine will prevent the level of agitation during washing that is necessary for your Tide pods to completely dissolve. When placing clothing or other laundry items in the barrel, avoid pushing or pressing them in to make more room.[9]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
3 Do not open Tide pods to use for pretreating. To avoid stains or issues with your Tide pods not dissolving, do not open Tide pods to use for pretreating. Pods are formulated with super-concentrated detergent that is released during the wash cycle. The stain remover included in Tide pods should be adequate for dealing with stains.[10]XResearch source
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Community Q&A
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Question Will Tide Pods clog my pipes? Aasim Top Answerer No. Tide Pods are very basic, and the plastic dissolves in the water. They will not clog because a dissolved chemical will flow with the water. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
Question My son ate one and now he's coughing up blood. Is there any herbal cure for this? Community Answer Take him to an emergency room. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 48
Question What do I do if I ate one? Aasim Top Answerer Call the poison control center. Tide pods are extremely poisonous and can cause burns and vomiting. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 21
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Warnings
Don't eat Tide Pods. They are extremely poisonous. If Tide Pods are swallowed, drink a glass of milk or water and call a poison control center or an ambulance immediately. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Ayad Mirjan Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). This article has been viewed 147,531 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 19Updated: February 11, 2025 Views: 147,531 Categories: LaundryArticle SummaryX
To use Tide pods, determine your load size and then choose the number of pods you'll need for that amount of laundry. Use 1 pod for small to medium loads, 2 pods for heavily soiled or large loads, and 3 pods for very large loads. Leave the pods inside their individual wrappers and place them directly into the washing machine drum. Add the dirty laundry next, then close the machine, set the wash cycle, and let the Tide pods do the rest. If you want to learn how to safely store Tide pods in your home, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
L. M.
Jul 11, 2018
"We do not overload the machine. We have different pods, but the shape is the same. Good job!"
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Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ayad Mirjan Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist 2 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 19Updated: February 11, 2025 Views: 147,531
L. M.
Jul 11, 2018
"We do not overload the machine. We have different pods, but the shape is the same. Good job!" Share yours!
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Download Article Instructions & best practices for using Tide Pods Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan 
How toUse a Tide to Go Pen 
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Co-authored by: Ayad Mirjan Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). This article has been viewed 147,531 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 19 Updated: February 11, 2025 Views: 147,531 Categories: Laundry Article SummaryX
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1 Determine load size. Before starting the wash cycle, determine the load size of your laundry. Make sure that your clothes, sheets, or towels are loosely packed into the washer to allow for proper cleaning and rinsing, and to prevent wrinkling and pilling. As a general rule:[1] 
2 Add Tide pods. Place Tide Pods at the bottom or back of your washer, then place your laundry on top. Choose the appropriate number of pods based on your load size. Use one pod for small to medium loads, two packs for large or very soiled loads, and three pods when the washing machine is at full capacity.[2] 
3 Select the wash cycle. Tide pods work in all types of washing machines, in warm and cold water. Choose the correct wash cycle on your washer based on the care instructions on your clothing labels. For a breakdown of what instructions the five fabric care symbols indicate, visit Tide’s website at http://tide.com/en-us/how-to-wash-clothes/how-to-do-laundry/how-to-read-laundry-symbols. 
4 Wash delicates. When washing a load of delicates (e.g. undergarments), be sure to use Tide Free & Gentle pods. These pods are free of perfumes and dyes to be gentle on clothing and skin alike. They are also hypoallergenic and dermatologist recommended.[3] 
5 Remove stains or odors. All Tide pods are formulated with special stain removers. For especially soiled or smelly laundry, add an additional Tide pod to the wash for extra cleaning power. For stuck on stains, pre-treat items by rinsing them in cold water and blotting stains.[4] 
6 Travel with Tide pods. Bring a few tide pods with you when travelling to avoid having to purchase detergent at hotels or nearby shops. Store pods in a hard plastic container to prevent them from being pierced during travel, and from getting wet. You can also transport Tide pods this way for trips to your local laundromat.[5] Advertisement 
1 Buy Tide pods. Purchase Tide pods at your local supermarket, pharmacy, or department store. You can also buy Tide pods online at http://tide.com/en-us/shop and read detailed descriptions of the varieties available. Based on your needs and preferences, choose from: 
2 Store Tide pods securely. Tide pods can be toxic if ingested by children or animals, which is a concern given the pods’ colorful and candy-like appearance. Store Tide pods securely in a high cupboard, out of reach for kids and pets. Be vigilant when using laundry pods (e.g. avoid putting a pod down on a counter or table while preparing laundry, or simply make sure kids and pets are out of the room before doing laundry).[6] 
3 Keep Tide pods dry. Make sure that the lid of your Tide pods container is shut firmly before storing, and that the pods are kept dry. Wetness could cause pods to leak and stick together in the container. Accordingly, only use dry hands to handle Tide pods when doing laundry.[7] Advertisement 
1 Place Tide pods in the washer first. To ensure that your Tide Pods dissolve properly, always place them in the washer before you put in your laundry. Placing pods at the bottom of the machine allows for the maximum contact with water necessary to dissolve them. If you need to place laundry in the machine to gauge your load size, do so and then remove it to place the Tide pod at the back or bottom of the barrel.[8] 
2 Avoid overloading your washing machine. Make sure that your washing machine is loosely packed. Overloading your machine will prevent the level of agitation during washing that is necessary for your Tide pods to completely dissolve. When placing clothing or other laundry items in the barrel, avoid pushing or pressing them in to make more room.[9] 
3 Do not open Tide pods to use for pretreating. To avoid stains or issues with your Tide pods not dissolving, do not open Tide pods to use for pretreating. Pods are formulated with super-concentrated detergent that is released during the wash cycle. The stain remover included in Tide pods should be adequate for dealing with stains.[10] Advertisement 
Aasim Top Answerer No. Tide Pods are very basic, and the plastic dissolves in the water. They will not clog because a dissolved chemical will flow with the water. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7 
Community Answer Take him to an emergency room. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 48 
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