Everybody loves a bargain, especially on home essentials like Tide Pods. If you collect supermarket coupons, or just like to shop in bulk for convenience, you may stock up on cleaning products such as Tide Pods.
This raises a question. Do Tide Pods have an expiration date? And what will happen if you continue to use Tide Pods after this date has passed?
This guide will provide the answers to these queries and more.
Here is the short answer to do Tide Pods expire:
Tide Pods do next expire in the classical sense. They will not leak or smell bad if left too long. Tide Pods older than 15 months can stop working, though. Placing expired Tide Pods in your laundry will not wash your clothes properly.
How long do Tide Pods last unopened?
If you have bought Tide Pods, you have 15 months from the date of manufacture to use them up. Don’t panic if this time expires. As we’ll discuss in more detail shortly, nothing terrible will happen. As a rule, though, you should use your Tide Pods as soon as you buy them.
The great thing about Tide Pods is that they can be bought in different quantities. This means that you will not need to struggle to use up your Tide Pods within 15 months. All the same, it makes sense to buy as many Tide Pods as you may need at any given time.
If you have a big family and wash once a day, you will likely empty a box of 96 Pods within three months. If you live alone and only wash clothing occasionally, a smaller pack of 16 Pods will be fine and last you a similar amount of time.
Related: Does Febreze Expire
How to read the Tide Pods expiration date?
This is where things get a little tricky. Unlike food, Tide Pods do not expire in the classical sense. It is not dangerous to use an expired Tide Pod with your laundry. As a result, it is not a legal mandate for Tide Pods to print an expiration date on their packaging.
The good news is that you create your own expiration date for Tide Pods. It just takes a little math on your part. Turn your tub of Tide Pods and over and look on the shoulder of the packing. Here, you should find a manufacture date for the Tide Pods.
As we have just discussed, Tide Pods are usually effective for 15 months after the date of manufacture. If you bought your Tide Pods in September, but they were manufactured in the previous December, you’ll need to use them all up by March to ensure effectiveness.
We recommend picking up a Sharpie pen or a label and writing this date on your box of Tide Pods. This way, you are unlikely to forget and use out-of-date Pods in your laundry. Also, consider this manufacture date when buying Tide Pods. If the Pods are suspiciously cheap, they may be close to expiry.
What happens if you use expired Tide Pods?
As we have mentioned a couple of times now, nothing ‘bad’ will happen if you use expired Tide Pods. They will not ruin or stain your clothes or anything like that. The truth is, nothing at all will happen. This is the problem.
After about 15 months, Tide Pods stop being effective. This is because the laundry detergent found inside the Pod is starting to separate or clump up. As a result, it will not clean your clothing. Items that enter your laundry will look and smell the same when the cycle finishes, aside from a little warm water.
Tide Pods last longer than traditional liquid laundry detergent, which will often have a Use By date stamped on the bottle’s neck. This is because the detergent found in Tide Pods is highly concentrated and protected by plastic. It does not last forever, though. If you find that your laundry is ineffective, check the manufacture date of your Tide Pods.
How to use Tide Pods efficiently?
As we mentioned earlier, the best way to maximize Tide Pod efficiency is by marking your own expiry date. This will help you know when your supply is almost useless. Check this manufacture date when shopping, too. Always buy Tide Pods that have been created as recently as possible.
You can potentially prolong the life of your Tide Pods through storage, too. Tide Pods come in a tightly clipped tub. This is primarily for safety. Young children could mistake Tide Pods for candies and eat them, leading to poisoning. This packaging also protects your Tide Pods from extreme heat and cold, though.
Keep your Tide Pods in a cool, dry place, like a storage closet. This way, they will not be exposed to any extreme temperatures. This approach protects the detergent found within the Tide Pods and keeps them effective for longer. At the very least, you’ll enjoy the standard 15 months of life from your Pods.
You should also consider your use of Tide Pods. If you have very muddy clothes to wash, you can use two Tide Pods at once. Your laundry may need an extra rinse and spin after, but the contents of the machine will be immaculate. This approach can also use up your Tide Pods before they expire.
There are plenty of reasons to continue using Tide Pods for your laundry. They are small and easy to store, cost-effective, and do an excellent job of cleaning clothing. Just keep an eye on that manufacture date, ensuring you use your Tide Pods within 15 months. Using Pods older than this is a waste of time.