Last Updated: September 14, 2023
Can You Bring Tide Pods on a Plane? (TSA Rules)
So, you’ve packed your bags and are ready to go to the airport for your next trip. However, you notice your favorite shirt has some nasty stains on it.
Now you’re asking, can you bring Tide pods on a plane? Read on to find out!
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Can You Bring Tide Pods and Other Laundry Detergents on a Domestic Flight?
Fortunately, you can carry Tide pods in your carry-on and checked bags if they follow the general guidelines for liquids.
Carry-On Bags
According to the TSA rules, you’re allowed to carry Tide pods in your carry-on bags. However, there are some rules to follow depending on the detergent you carry.
For example, powder-like detergents are treated as solid materials. If they’re bigger than 12 oz. / 350 mL, you’ll have to place them in a separate bag for screening. In this case, airport security might need to inspect the detergent powder before allowing you through.
On the other hand, if the detergent is in liquid form, the rules are different. You’ll have to ensure each detergent packet is 3.4 oz. / 100 mL or less to bring them in your carry-on bag.
Additionally, every passenger is limited to one quart-sized bag. Still, this shouldn’t be a problem as Tide pods contain 20 or 30 mL each.
Checked Bag
As per the TSA, you can carry Tide pods and other liquid laundry detergents in your checked bags with no restrictions.
Can You Bring Tide Pods and Other Laundry Detergents on an International Flight?
Europe, Canada, India, and China flight authorities have almost identical rules to the United States regarding Tide pods and laundry detergents. So, you can safely bring liquid or powder laundry detergents in your carry-on and checked bags.
However, if you carry liquid detergent in your carry-on luggage, ensure it falls within the limit of 100 ml (3.4 oz). Moreover, don’t forget to pack them in a quart-sized plastic bag alongside other liquids.
Note that Tide pods containing bleach are banned from airports, and you’re not allowed to carry them in carry-on or checked bags. That’s because bleach is a corrosive chemical.
While Tide pods and other laundry detergents are usually allowed on international flights, it’s always a good idea to check with the airline you’re traveling with.
The rules might change slightly from one place to another.
How Many Tide Pods Can You Bring on a Plane?
As mentioned, the TSA has specific rules regarding the amount of liquid laundry detergent you can carry in your carry-on luggage.
The 3-1-1 liquids rule states that every passenger is allowed to carry one quart-sized bag of liquid, aerosol, gel, pastes, and creams, and these items must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per item.
If you’re carrying them in your carry-on bag, you can bring as many as possible as long as they fit within the TSA limitations for liquids.
Note that Tide pods contain only 20-30 ml of liquid, so you shouldn’t have problems fitting them in your bag. But if you’re carrying other liquids or toiletries in your quart-size bag, you might not be able to bring as many Tide pods as you want.
If you’re traveling for a long time and want to bring more Tide pods, we suggest you carry them in your checked luggage. That way, they don’t follow the 100ml rule.
How Should Tide Pods Be Packed for Air Travel
When carrying Tide pods and other liquid toiletries in your hand luggage, the TSA rules oblige you to pack them in a single resealable 1-liter bag.
If you’re carrying powdered laundry pods, you can pack them whenever you want, as there are no specific restrictions regarding packing solid laundry detergents.
Still, no matter what type of detergents you carry in your carry-on bags, make sure you place them somewhere accessible in case officers need to inspect them.
If you’re packing Tide pods in your checked luggage, there are no restrictions on how to pack them. But it would be best to place them in a Ziploc bag to avoid spilling them out in case they get damaged during the flight. For more protection, wrap your Tide pods in soft clothing.
Can You Bring Detergent Powder on a Plane?
The TSA rules state that you can carry detergent powder in your carry-on or checked luggage on a plane.
If you carry powdered laundry detergent larger than 12 oz. / 350 mL in your carry-on bags, you should place it in a separate bag for x-ray screening.
Security personnel will also likely ask you to open your bags for further inspection. So, to avoid the hassle, it’s best to place powdered materials larger than 12 oz. in your checked luggage.
Are Bleach Pods Allowed on a Plane?
Bleach-containing detergent pods are prohibited from carry-on and checked luggage. That’s because bleach is a corrosive element that can harm humans when spilled or opened.
The same goes for other household cleaners such as pesticides, drain cleaners, and cleaning solvents.
Can You Bring Dishwasher Tablets on a Plane?
Yes, you can. Dishwasher tablets are considered powders, so you can safely bring them on a plane as long as you stick to the TSA rules for traveling with powders.
The rules state that each passenger is allowed a maximum of 350 g / 350 mL of non-organic powders in hand luggage. In checked luggage, you can pack more than this amount.
Can You Bring Laundry Detergent Sheets on a Plane?
Laundry detergent sheets aren’t a powder or a liquid, so the TSA rules for powders and liquids don’t apply to them.
That means you can safely bring laundry detergent sheets on a plane. They’re even easier to pack than Tide pods and don’t require any additional screenings.
Is There a Risk of Tide Pods Exploding on an Airplane?
Tide pods and other liquid detergents aren’t known to have a risk of exploding on airplanes. That’s because the cabinet pressure isn’t that high to make the pods explode.
However, Tide pods can easily get punctured during the flight, so it’s best to wrap soft clothes around them and place them in Ziploc bags.
Wrapping Up
Can you bring Tide pods on a plane?
Yes, you can. The TSA allows travelers to bring Tide pods and other laundry detergents in their carry-on and checked bags. However, if you carry liquid detergent in your carry-on luggage, it follows the liquid 3-1-1 rule.
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About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
