One thing about me: I am a creature of habit. For example, I’ve been using the exact same laundry detergent for nearly two decades. I watched things like Tide Pods and other laundry novelties hit the scene in the 20-teens, but I kept on using my trusty (and relatively cheap) liquid Purex through the years.
But I recently got the opportunity to try laundry detergent pods for the first time. They came from a company called Laundry Sauce, and I was immediately smitten with the name. (Because that’s basically what detergent is, right? Sauce for your laundry!) The company recently released a new scent called Oregon Mint, and I knew I had to try it. Here’s what I thought of my first foray into laundry pods with Laundry Sauce.
Laundry Sauce Oregon Mint Detergent Pods, $69
Let’s start with the basics. Laundry Sauce bills itself as the “world’s best-smelling laundry detergent,” which seems like a tall order. However, there’s a basis to that claim. The company works with some of the world’s top perfumers to craft its detergent fragrances, which are formulated with natural and responsibly sourced ingredients. Laundry Sauce states that their oversized pods are far more concentrated than traditional laundry detergents, and they’re enriched with bio-enzymes to tackle tough stains and leave your fabrics feeling fresh.
Overall, there’s a lot to love about Laundry Sauce. First of all, the packaging is stunning. The pods arrived at my door nestled in an elegant, emerald-green box — so elegant that I almost thought a box of gourmet chocolates had been shipped to me in lieu of laundry detergent. The box is also quite sturdy, with a magnetized closure, and I’ll definitely be repurposing it once it’s empty.
I also love how easy these pods are to use. You simply toss in one pod for “normal” sized loads and two pods for larger loads. (The brand describes a “normal” load as six pounds of laundry, but since I’ve never weighed out laundry in my life, I took that to mean a standard, medium-sized load.)
There are a few special instructions, though, which the brand clearly lays out on its packaging. You’ll want to place the pods directly in the back of the bottom of the wash drum — do not place them in any special compartments — and add them before you put your laundry in. You’ll also want to make sure your hands are dry when you’re removing the pods from the box, as water will dissolve the outer coating of the pods.
And of course, there’s the fragrance — which, in my experience, is exquisite. While I’ve only tried the Oregon Mint so far, you can choose from nine sophisticated scents, from Australian Sandalwood to Egyptian Rose to French Saffron. Laundry Sauce even offers a brief quiz on its website to pair you with your perfect scent.
The Oregon Mint pods have notes of violet leaf, English ivy, white grapefruit and driftwood alongside the mint, and it gives them less of a pungent “toothpaste” scent and more of a refreshing, clean scent that’s not too in-your-face.
I’ve used my Laundry Sauce pods on multiple loads of laundry — towels, bedsheets, socks and underwear, T-shirts, leggings, sweaters, you name it — and each load has come out feeling soft and smelling minty fresh. And the detergent doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, which is a major plus.
The downside? These Laundry Sauce pods are not cheap. A box of 30 pods is $40, and a box of 69 is $69 (not including shipping). Compared to roughly $10 for a standard pack of laundry pods, that’s quite a splurge.
However, there are several ways to shave off some of the cost. First, you can save 15% on recurring orders if you choose the “subscribe and save” option. (You get to choose your delivery frequency, and you can cancel at any time.) Not a subscription fan? You can still save 10-20% if you buy multiple boxes at a time. For orders over $100, shipping is free. And if you enter the code CH15 at checkout, you’ll get 15% off your order!
Plus, the name of Laundry Sauce’s game is providing a luxurious laundry experience, and with detergent this divine, the elevated price tag is par for the course. While I can’t say that I’ll completely quit my Purex, these Laundry Sauce pods are a very welcome treat — and I’ll likely end up trying more scents down the line.
So, if you’re ready for laundry day to feel like a trip to the perfume counter at a high-end store, I recommend giving Laundry Sauce a try. Your clothes and your nose will thank you!
