DIY Laundry Pods: How to Make Laundry Pods at Home
DIY projects and laundry detergent pods are two of the most popular trends in recent years. It’s natural to wonder if you can create homemade laundry pods to save money and enjoy a fun project.
But the process for making DIY laundry pods is complicated. Learning how to make laundry pods at home is time-consuming and leads to inconsistent and inferior results.
This guide covers everything you must know about DIY laundry detergent pods. However, a better way to get fantastic cleaning results while avoiding harsh chemicals is to try our laundry detergent pods! We sell all-natural, eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets and pods at Clean People. Our products are septic-safe, simple to use, and work with all types of washers.
Are DIY Laundry Pods a Good Idea?
We don’t want to dismiss DIY laundry pods without looking at the details. Learning how to make laundry pods at home may be appealing if you can accept several downsides.
The Appeal of Making Laundry Detergent Pods DIY
DIY projects are a fun way to pass time and tap into your creativity. At first glance, the idea of DIY laundry pods makes sense, given the nature of detergent.
Many detergent brands have one or more drawbacks. Commercial brands can be expensive per unit, contribute to plastic waste, and contain dubious ingredients.
Naturally, learning how to make laundry pods yourself is appealing in contrast. On paper, you think you can save money and control the ingredients in DIY laundry detergent pods to avoid many of these issues.
Plus, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment by finishing a DIY project like homemade laundry pods.
But What Are the Downsides?
While DIY laundry detergent pods can be appealing, the reality is different.
Homemade laundry pods have several negatives that ruin their viability as a DIY project.
Time-Consuming and Often Messy
When you first begin watching videos or reading articles on how to make laundry pods at home, the process may seem simple. Follow what they do in the video, and you’ll have your DIY laundry pods without much fuss.
But this pristine view of DIY laundry detergent pods couldn’t be further from the truth.
First, you must gather all your ingredients, which can take longer than anticipated.
Then, you will need to grate soap bars into a powdery form, mix them with fragrance oils, allow them to mold, and wait up to 48 hours for them to dry.
During this process, your desk or countertop will be unusable. Powders like baking soda and soap residue will end up all over the nearby area, including your floor, appliances, and tools.
Even if you get the ingredients to mold together correctly the first time, you’ll need 1-2 hours of active work and extra waiting time.
Inconsistent Results (Crumbly, Overly Hard, or Under-Dissolving Pods)
Is the 2+day waiting period worth it for homemade laundry pods?
Your results will be lackluster until you fully understand the process. You need to strike a delicate balance with DIY laundry pods. Some molds might crumble at the first touch (long before they ever see the inside of a laundry machine).
Other DIY laundry detergent pods might dry too hard and compact, rendering them useless for washing.
Even if you learn how to make laundry pods at a basic level to avoid these extremes, you’re still not in the clear. Minor issues with dissolving can ruin a load of laundry, leaving harsh residues on your clothing.
It can be challenging to identify the exact cause of these problems. Discrepancies in humidity, ingredient quality, mixing, drying time, and water quality can all interfere with your DIY plans.
Hard to Replicate Commercial-Grade Solubility or Precision in Dosage
There’s a good reason why the best laundry detergent pods are so popular. They provide a simple solution for doing your laundry–just drop them in your machine and let the magic happen.
Commercial pods release enzymes, surfactants, and brighteners once they hit the water in a controlled fashion. Plus, you don’t have to worry about measuring doses.
DIY laundry detergent pods are not nearly as consistent. Any slight difference in ingredient composition in homemade laundry pods can disrupt the dissolution process.
That means when your DIY laundry pods hit the water, there’s no telling what will happen. Under-cleaning will keep your load dirty. Over-cleaning is even worse, as the excessive suds and chemicals can damage your clothes, machine, and septic tank.
Ingredient Sourcing May Cancel Out Cost Savings
What about the notion that learning how to make laundry pods at home saves you money?
When you look at the actual costs of DIY laundry detergent pods, you won’t find any evidence of savings. While some basic components are inside homemade laundry pods, like baking soda, others will wreak havoc on your bank account.
Your shopping list will require essential oils for fragrance, washing soda, castile soap, and biodegradable film to hold it all together. This can quickly add up to $30-$50, which is already more expensive than most premium commercial brands.
DIY laundry pods have more than just sticker costs. If you mess up in your experimentation, you can waste resources, adding to your expenses.
Improper mixing or ingredient composition may damage your clothes, septic tank, or appliances. Paying $1000+ for a new wardrobe or laundry machine will be far more expensive than skipping the DIY project and opting for a trusted, septic safe laundry detergent.
Save Yourself the Time and Hassle With the Best Laundry Pods From Clean People
There are far too many drawbacks to homemade laundry pods. While they may be a fun DIY project despite all their downsides, they aren’t an effective way to do your laundry.
What if you could find the best benefits of DIY laundry pods (affordability, eco-friendliness, and safer ingredients) in a commercial product that saves you time and money?
The wonderful news is that these pods exist. They’re one of our most popular products here at Clean People!
Our laundry detergent pods are eco-friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and free of harmful chemicals like SLS, parabens, and phthalates. We package them in biodegradable films that won’t contribute to plastic waste.
Our detergent pods are entirely compatible and safer, no matter the type of washer you own. You can even choose from 6 fragrances (plus 1 fragrance-free option).
If detergent pods aren’t your style, we sell the best laundry sheets made in the USA, featuring the same excellent benefits as our pods. You can also check out our blog to learn more about the difference in detergent types, including laundry sheets vs pods and laundry pods vs liquid detergent.
We’re proud to offer free shipping to the USA and Canada, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.
How to Make Laundry Pods if You’re Passionate About DIY Projects
Even if you choose a commercial detergent pod, learning how to make them yourself can be fun if you love DIY projects. Ensure you have room in your budget for all the supplies and free time to experiment.
Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need
First, you’ll want to gather your basic ingredients. Each measurement should be good for 1 pod.
- 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1 bar of pure castile soap or naphtha soap
- ¼ cup of Epsom Salt and/or ½ cup Borax for hard water
- 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid
- 25 drops of essential oils for fragrance (optional)
Ingredient quality matters. Poor quality ingredients may be cheaper, but can damage your clothes or machine, especially if they fail to dissolve properly.
You’ll also need several tools, including:
- A grating tool for your bar soap
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A mold (you can use an ice tray in a pinch)
- Spray bottle
- Gloves and a mask
As you acquire these ingredients and tools, store them in a cool container away from heat or humidity, as temperature changes can affect your final results.
Homemade Laundry Pod Instructions
Once you set aside time and gather your materials, it’s time to begin!
You’ll begin by creating the soap base for your detergent pod. Use your grating tool on your bar soap. You need to grate the soap extremely fine to help it dissolve easier. This step should take around 15 minutes if you’re doing it manually.
After grating the soap, mix your dry ingredients in a bowl. Grab the baking soda, washing soda, Epsom salt, and citric acid, and throw them all in there. You can mix it with your hands (if wearing gloves) or use a whisk or mixing spoon. Ensure that there are no clumps within the mixture.
You can add essential oils to the mixture if you want a fragrance. Layer them on top, then repeat the mixing process. From here, you want to add an appropriate amount of moisture.
Mist the mixture with a spray bottle to congeal without causing a premature reaction. Then, you’ll place the mixture into a mold. Ensure that it is firmly within the mold without air pockets.
You’ll place the molds in a ventilated area away from sunlight or humidity. Then, simply wait 24 to 48 hours. The pods will be ready when they feel stiff and dry to the touch.
Place your newly created pods in an airtight container until you can use them.
Tips for Improving Results
You have a few options if you use your DIY pods and are disappointed at the results.
Cleaning chemicals like oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) can brighten whites while remaining relatively safe. You can add vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for degreasing.
The biggest issue with DIY pods is getting them to dissolve properly. You’ll be left with inconsistent results if your pod is too dry or wet. Pay close attention to how you spray the mixture. You may want to do it in stages, by misting and then mixing between each spray.
With enough time and money, you can make homemade pods work. However, the process is complex and not for everyone.
If you’re interested in other projects, check out our exploration of DIY laundry sheets.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to DIY Laundry Detergent Pods
It’s understandable why homeowners gravitate towards DIY projects. Giving yourself agency over ingredients and environmental impact can feel empowering.
Unfortunately, making laundry detergent yourself is challenging. The materials are expensive, the process is cumbersome and time-consuming, and the risk of a failed experiment is remarkably high.
Thankfully, you can experience an eco-friendly and health-safe load of laundry without wasting multiple days on a DIY project.
Clean People is the #1 manufacturer of detergent. We make our pods in the USA and feature safer ingredients without harsh chemicals like SLS, parabens, and phthalates.
Our pods cost less than the tools and materials needed to create them. Plus, using them is easy–place them in your laundry machine, and you’re all set.
Visit our online store to learn more about how Clean People detergent pods and sheets can transform the way you do laundry.
