Can Laundry Detergent Freeze?

Can Laundry Detergent Freeze? When cold weather is approaching, many homeowners are ill-prepared for the effects that freezing temperature has on laundry detergent. If you find your laundry detergent frozen this winter, follow this guide to remedy the solution.

Can Laundry Detergent Freeze?

Yes, laundry detergents are susceptible to freezing, but usually not for long periods of time. When laundry detergent is exposed to freezing temperatures, the water and soap mixture in the form of a gel will freeze. This changes the chemical compound of the detergent, often resulting in a clumpier detergent but can sometimes freeze the whole detergent bottle.

What Temperature does Laundry Detergent Freeze At?

Your laundry detergent will freeze solid, once the temperature goes below freezing point (0 degrees Celsius).

The reason that laundry detergent can freeze is that even though the ingredients are very concentrated, there is a small amount of water in every product. The water in laundry detergent and laundry pods is therefore susceptible to freezing when it is below 0 degrees Celsius (or 32 degrees Fahrenheit). So while laundry detergent may be great for cleaning dirt, blood, grease and oil, it is still susceptible to freezing.

What Types of Laundry Detergents Freeze?

All types of laundry detergents freeze. Both liquid and powdered laundry detergents freeze when the temperature drops below zero. There is some special type of detergents like dryer sheets that don’t freeze, even when the temperature is frozen. Dryer sheets are specially prepared to prevent their ingredients from melting at low temperatures, therefore they will not freeze.

Can Tide Pods & Laundry Pods Freeze?

Yes, tide pods can freeze. But it would have to be very cold. Tide pods and often laundry detergent pods are mostly made from detergent concentrate. Detergent pods carry no more than 10% water, making it very unlikely that they do freeze. We find that freezing temperature makes them thicker.

Can I use Laundry Detergent After it has Unfrozen?

Yes, you can still use laundry detergent after it has unfrozen. You may find that it is less effective than before. This is because of the aforementioned change in its chemical compound.

With that said, most of the time there will be no noticeable difference. There is no point in throwing away laundry detergent just because it was frozen for a few hours.

Does Fabric Softener Freeze?

The same rules apply to fabric softeners as they do to laundry detergent. Fabric softeners are mostly water and since liquids freeze when the temperature goes below zero, it is not possible for any liquid to not freeze over time.

How to Prevent Laundry Detergent From Freezing?

The best way to prevent laundry detergent from freezing is to keep the product warm. If you are overly concerned, wrap it in a towel or place it by a heater. With that said, it is unlikely to cause a problem if laundry detergent freezes. So it is not worth much effort to prevent the inevitable.

Can you Store Laundry Detergent in the Garage?

Of course, you can store laundry detergent in the garage. But it might not be the best idea to store it in the garage during the winter. It will often be frozen and not optimal for use when you are trying to use it. Unless you have a heated garage, try and find someplace for the laundry detergent inside. It should not take up too much room.

Can Laundry Detergent Freeze Conclusion

All Laundry Detergents have water as an ingredient, and since water freezes when under freezing temperatures, all laundry detergents will freeze as well. If you are concerned about your laundry detergent freezing, keep it warm. It is not a problem when it freezes, just ensure that it has fully thawed out before use.

We hope this blog has answered the question of Can Laundry Detergent Freeze?