Can You Pack Laundry Detergent Pods in Luggage?
Whether you’re planning for an upcoming business trip or the vacation of a lifetime, there’s a fine line between under and overpacking. One way you can lighten the load for your journey is by accounting for a laundry day halfway through.
This way, you can pack half as much clothing and still wear something clean every day! So can you pack laundry detergent pods in luggage? The truth is, our laundry detergent sheets are a way better option for laundry on-the-go. They’re easier to pack and TSA-friendly.
Still, there’s a place for pods in your travel itinerary – it’s just a matter of figuring out how to pack laundry pods for travel, either in your carry-on bag or your checked luggage.
We’ll talk through all of this and more below to help you feel more confident in how to travel with laundry pods. You’ll also discover the best laundry detergent pods online right here at Clean People. Upgrade to cleaner, greener, more convenient detergent today!
Why Bring Laundry Detergent Pods on Your Upcoming Trip?
Is it really worth flying with laundry detergent pods in the first place? While they may not be the first items on your travel checklist, they can save you time, money, and hassle throughout your trip – especially if it’s a lengthy one. Here’s how:
Convenient and Compact for Travel
Laundry pods are small but powerful, perfect for travel. Bulky detergent bottles or messy powders just aren’t practical. In contrast, pods take up very little space. There’s no stressing about leaks or spills. Just toss a few into a resealable bag or hard-shell case, and you’re set.
They’re also pre-measured, so there’s no guesswork. Just grab a pod and start the cycle. Whether you’re using a hotel sink, an Airbnb washer, or a laundromat, you get a no-mess, no-fuss way to clean your clothes.
Perfect for Longer Trips or Unexpected Laundry Needs
Trips don’t always go as planned. Maybe you packed light and need to rewear clothes, or perhaps a coffee spill, beach day, or sweaty hike calls for a quick wash. You can plan ahead for these problems by keeping a few pods on hand!
They’re great for business travelers who need fresh outfits without paying hotel laundry fees or packing multiple dress clothes. Families love them, too, for handling spills or baby clothes. They’re also a must-have for backpackers and campers since washing machines aren’t always available.
Instead of overpacking, bring fewer clothes and wash as you go. This allows you to save luggage space while keeping your outfits fresh.
Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective
Travel-sized detergent bottles create unnecessary plastic waste, and single-use hotel detergent packs can be pricey and wasteful. Pods solve both these problems, especially when you choose Clean People pods.
Ours are better for you with no nasty ingredients, and they’re better for the environment with no plastic packaging. They work with any washing machine you might have access to on your trip, too!
Plus, using your own detergent means you can steer clear of those nasty ingredients to avoid in laundry detergent. The unfortunate reality is hotel or laundromat products are loaded with cheap, harsh chemical cleaning agents.
Can You Pack Laundry Detergent Pods in Luggage?
It’s clear that laundry detergent pods can be a great travel companion, but are they really an option? Can you pack laundry detergent pods in luggage? Let’s look at the TSA rules and some potential risks and alternatives below.
TSA Rules on Laundry Detergent Pods
The last thing you want is to deal with delays or headaches at the security checkpoint on an already stressful travel day. So, can you pack laundry detergent pods in luggage? Fortunately, laundry pods are not subject to TSA’s 3.4-ounce liquid rule like liquid detergent.
This means you can technically bring them in both carry-on and checked luggage. Just be prepared to answer questions at security checkpoints since they’re small, squishy, and contain liquid inside.
Pack them in a clear, resealable plastic bag so they’re easy to inspect if needed. This will help minimize delays. You should also store them in a hard-sided container to prevent them from getting crushed.
Chances are you’ll get through security without any hold-up, but you might encounter the rare TSA agent who wants to take a closer look at your bag.
Potential Risks of Packing Laundry Pods
Even though laundry detergent pods are travel friendly, they aren’t completely risk-free. Here are some of the concerns associated with flying with laundry detergent pods.
It’s no secret that airport baggage handlers aren’t particularly gentle with your luggage. A pod that gets squeezed between shoes and toiletries could rupture and create a soapy mess in your bag. Knowing how to pack laundry pods for travel can mitigate this concern, though.
You also need to protect your pods against moisture exposure, though. After all, contact with water is what activates the pods! They can start breaking down unexpectedly if left in a humid suitcase for too long.
There are temperature concerns as well if you’re traveling during summer. A suitcase sitting in a hot car or airplane cargo hold is like an oven. Pods inside could leak or stick together.
Don’t let these issues deter you, though. We’ll share tips on how to pack laundry pods for travel in just a few moments. First, let’s consider an alternative – picking up pods once you arrive at your destination instead of traveling with them.
Are You Better Off Buying Pods at Your Destination?
You can avoid a lot of the hassle and headache of flying with laundry detergent pods by purchasing them once you get boots on the ground at your arrival location.
However, this is not always practical or ideal either. You might not have a vehicle to make the trip, and door dashing some pods can be pricey. You’ll probably have far fewer options to choose from, too.
If you want the best travel laundry detergent, you should buy it in advance and pack it in your luggage. This makes much more sense for short trips or weekend getaways, remote locations, or eco-conscious travelers.
That being said, should you put laundry pods in carry-on luggage or checked baggage?
Should You Put Laundry Pods in Carry-On Luggage or Checked Baggage?
So, can you pack laundry detergent pods in luggage? Absolutely! Once you’ve made the decision to bring laundry pods along for the trip it’s just a matter of determining where to put them. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of both options below.
Pros and Cons of Packing Pods in Carry-On Luggage
Pros:
- Easier to access mid-trip: If you’ll need to do laundry while still in transit (layovers, long-haul flights, or cruises), having pods in your carry-on means you won’t have to dig through your checked bag.
- Less risk of pod damage: Pods are less likely to be crushed under heavy luggage since you’re in control of your carry-on.
- No risk of extreme temperature changes: Cargo holds can get hot or cold depending on the season, which can affect pod integrity. This isn’t an issue in the cabin, though.
Cons:
- Potential for additional TSA screening: Flying with laundry detergent pods is allowed, but TSA might flag them for inspection since they contain liquid inside.
- Limited space: Carry-on luggage is valuable real estate. Every item needs to justify its place if you’re tight on space.
- Possible pod squishing: While the risk is much lower, pods can still burst if packed loosely. They should always be in a hard container.
Pros and Cons of Packing Pods in Checked Baggage
Pros:
- More room for bulk packing: Checked luggage lets you bring a larger supply without sacrificing valuable carry-on space if you’re traveling for an extended period.
- No TSA delays: Security screenings won’t slow you down since checked bags are inspected separately.
- Safer from accidental use: Storing pods in checked luggage keeps them out of reach from the curious hands of young kids you may be traveling with rifling through your bag.
Cons:
- Higher risk of pod bursts: Checked bags get tossed, stacked, and compressed, so your pods can rupture under pressure if you don’t pack them properly.
- Temperature fluctuations: Pods could melt or stick together if your bag sits in a hot cargo hold. On the other end of the spectrum, freezing temps could crack the outer film.
- Delayed access: We’ve all dealt with lost luggage at some point in time. If this happens, you’re without detergent until it arrives (or you buy more).
Ultimately, only you can determine which approach makes the most sense. We’ll offer some more tips on how to pack laundry pods for travel below to help minimize any concerns you may still have.
More Tips on How to Pack Laundry Pods for Travel
Like we said from the start, laundry detergent pods can make great travel companions. But in comparing laundry sheets vs pods, the former is a far better option.
Our favorite laundry sheets are just a click away at Clean People. We seriously recommend using these instead because they’re so much easier to pack for travel. Nevertheless, here are some tips on how to pack laundry pods for travel if you’re already sold.
Best Ways to Store Laundry Pods in Luggage
The last thing you want is to bust open your suitcase upon arrival at your hotel or Airbnb only to discover your pods have burst inside and ruined your clothes. Here are some tips to prevent this:
- Use a hard-sided container: A small, airtight plastic or tin container (like a travel soap case) prevents pods from getting crushed in transit.
- Double-seal for protection: Place pods inside a resealable plastic bag before putting them in your container to prevent leaks in case of an accidental burst.
- Keep them in a dry, cool section of your luggage: Avoid packing them near toiletries, wet swimsuits, or anything that could cause moisture buildup.
- Separate them from food items: While laundry pods smell great, you don’t want your snacks absorbing detergent scents. Pack accordingly.
How Many Laundry Pods Should You Bring?
Space is so limited when traveling so think carefully about how much laundry you intend to do and pack accordingly. This also involves an understanding of how much detergent to use per load – 1 pod is typically plenty. That means you might want:
- 2-3 pods for a weekend trip (1-3 days)
- 4-6 pods for a week-long trip (4-7 days)
- 7+ pods for an extended stay over 2 weeks.
Be sure to factor in extra loads for kids’ clothes, spills, and workout gear, especially if you’re traveling as a family. Bring a few pods for emergencies and do a bulk wash if space is tight. You may not get the same level of cleanliness, but it’s better than nothing!
Alternatives to Laundry Pods for Travel
We hate to keep harping on it, but you really can’t beat the convenient, space-saving nature of laundry sheets when it comes to traveling. They’re ultra-light, compact, and TSA-approved with no risk of spills, moisture damage, or pod bursts.
The best part is these can be used through hand washing if you don’t have access to a washing machine, too! We have a guide on how to use laundry sheets in the sink if you’re interested. Other alternatives to flying with laundry detergent pods include:
- Travel-size liquid detergent: Works well for handwashing but you need to follow TSA’s liquid restrictions if you’re packing these in a carry-on. There are spill risks, too.
- DIY powdered detergent packs: Pre-measured amounts stored in small resealable bags. More space-efficient than liquid, but can still spill. They’re also a hassle to use.
- Castile soap or multi-purpose soap bars: A versatile, zero-waste option for handwashing clothes in a sink.
But whether you’re looking for the best laundry detergent for septic systems or baby laundry detergent pods, your search ends here at Clean People. We always prioritize eco-friendliness in our formulations and packaging. Here’s what others had to say:
“I took these on a two month vacation. Loved them. No lugging liquid that gets all over. These were easy to carry and use.” – Carol
“The washing sheets are awesome. So convenient to use. I travel a lot and it saves trying to get detergent. They are eco friendly. My laundry is clean. That’s the most important part.” – Redhead
“I like the fragrance and the compactness of this product. It’s an effective detergent that that does a great job on laundry. It’s easy to pack while traveling.” – Maryanne
Closing Thoughts on How to Travel With Laundry Pods
So can you pack laundry detergent pods in luggage? We hope this guide on how to travel with laundry pods has answered all your questions about flying with laundry detergent pods.
Although you can learn how to pack laundry pods for travel, there are still going to be concerns – where you use your carry-on or your checked luggage. There’s a safer, more convenient option, right here at Clean People in our laundry sheets.
So, simplify your packing and travel laundry routine today and see for yourself how much easier our sheets make laundry day on the road. Pack light, wash smarter!
