Can Laundry Detergent Freeze?

It's old news that laundry pods contain too much detergent, leaving residue on your clothes. And what about the plastic film, which doesn't always dissolve properly?

But freezing liquid detergent in an ice cube tray to control the dose isn't the best idea. Leaving your laundry products in a cold garage in the winter isn't great either.

Find out why freezing detergent is a bad move and what happens to it if you do.

What Happens When Your Laundry Detergent Freezes?

Aside from people making their own washing products and deliberately freezing laundry detergents, it's easy to do this accidentally, just by leaving it in the garage in winter or even overnight in your car.

How much your laundry product freezes depends on the water content, which varies from one brand to another, and the type of washing aid you're using. 

Liquid Detergent

The main ingredient in the big bottles of liquid detergent is water. This means your detergent has the same freezing point as water, about 32°F, and will respond to cold temperatures similarly.

Laundry Pods

Laundry pods are intentionally highly concentrated and have a low water volume; many think they are the same bottled liquids in pod form, but that's not the case. 

Laundry pods will still freeze, but at a lower temperature than water. Accidental or deliberate freezing is likely to create a slippery mess! 

Propylene glycol, a synthetic compound derived from petroleum, is a common ingredient in laundry pods. You'll also find it in medicines, cosmetics, bath products, and food. It has a much lower freezing point than water.

Another issue is that the ingredients will likely separate in the wash and not perform correctly when the pod contents thaw. Cooling the liquid affects its solubility.

Non-biological laundry pods have a formula that relies on enzymes for gentle cleaning. Freezing the pod reduces the efficacy of the enzymes, which means less cleaning power. 

Biological laundry pods contain synthetic surfactants so that they will clean better despite the separation caused by freezing. However, temperature fluctuations will still impact their inability to dissolve properly.

Detergent Sheets

You would think that detergent sheets, as they contain less liquid, would tolerate freezing better than pods or bottled detergents. However, laundry sheets also contain enzymes that are vulnerable to cold temperatures and will degrade.

Laundry detergent sheets are gaining popularity in households across the USA. They offer an alternative to traditional detergent formulas, with ingredients selected to reduce unnecessary additives.

The ingredients in detergent sheets like Freddie include enzymes like Protease, to break down the proteins found in stubborn stains like grass and blood so that they can be easily washed away.

Enzymes dislike temperature fluctuations, so it's essential to store detergent sheets at a constant temperature and avoid extremes.

Freezing may also affect the solubility of detergent sheets, which is one of their key advantages over bottled liquids and pre-dosed pods. This feature allows them to work hard in cool washes and avoid residue on clothing.

Why Temperature Swings Ruin Your Detergent's Cleaning Power

Temperature fluctuations, the sort you would expect to occur if you stored an item in your garage absent heating or air conditioning, cause the chemical elements within the product to become unstable. The formula begins to break down, impacting the product's effectiveness.

How Freezing and Thawing Breaks Down Your Detergent Formula 

Freezing and thawing cause the compounds within the detergent to become unstable. You may notice a visual difference; the product becomes runny when it thaws. 

However, other changes you can't see will also impact how well the product cleans your laundry.

When Heat Makes Your Detergent Separate and Fail 

Heat is not great for your laundry detergent either. Excess heat causes chemical reactions, making the product clumpy and difficult to use. It also affects the clothes, producing inferior results, especially on tough stains.

Where You Should Never Store Your Laundry Detergent 

Your laundry room is probably the worst place to store your detergent products; this room often becomes warm and humid, especially if you also use a dryer. 

Your garage won't be any better without temperature control, exposing the product to extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations.

The best place to store laundry products is in a cool, dry environment, out of direct sunlight, and with an ambient temperature between 10 and 25°C. Avoid humid areas - that's your laundry room - and always keep it out of the reach of children.

How to Tell If Your Frozen Detergent Is Still Usable

Allow the detergent to thaw slowly over a few hours at room temperature, avoiding heating it to speed up the process, as this also causes damage. 

Gently shake the bottle to encourage the ingredients to redistribute evenly. A change in consistency doesn't necessarily mean the product is unusable.

To assess how well the product dissolves, mix a little detergent with water in a jug or place a detergent sheet in a water-filled basin. Your laundry product may be safe to use, although whether it’s worked or not won't be apparent until the end of the wash cycle. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Freezing Make Laundry Detergent Expire Faster?

Freezing shortens the shelf life of laundry products as it disrupts the stability of the compounds, impacting their effectiveness. It's easy to overlook if you store laundry detergents in the garage. For maximum longevity, store your products in a well-ventilated, cool area free from humidity.

Laundry Products Require Stable Storage Temperatures

Cooler wash cycles are becoming more commonplace to help the planet, so product manufacturers follow suit to provide good results at lower temperatures. However, this doesn't mean you should freeze your detergent.

At Freddie, we're committed to looking after the planet and your washing. Our detergent sheets contain quality ingredients that dissolve fully in hot and cold water.

Ditch the plastic jug, use cooler wash cycles, and choose a detergent that’s designed with minimal packaging and no added dyes or parabens. Freddie laundry detergent sheets are a simple option for your laundry routine, making laundry day mess-free and convenient.