Detergent Stash: Ushering In The New Era

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Mickeyd, the Persil (Henkel) pods have absolutely nothing in common with the scent of liquid Persil.
They don`t smell bad to me but it`s a very faint, hardly noticeable smell. I think you`d be dissapointed.

Haven`t tried them myself but Purex with Zout pods (with enzymes) might be a better choice if you like Henkel detergents.
 
Confessions Of A Pod Convert

When pods came out, I didn't think I had any use for them. Liquids and powders were fine for me, and I still have vivid childhood memories of Salvo tablets not dissolving and finding broken Action bleach packets in the box. But I became a convert when I started using Costco's Kirkland Signature pods (thanks to Consumer Reports' recommendation).
I put the pods through the toughest test--white socks, underwear and dirty kitchen towels. Using hot water and two pods, I did a full load in my Whirlpool top-loader. The clothes came out clean and bright, and it even removed the orange-yellow popcorn oil from the towels.
I now keep a bottle of liquid for pre-treating and lightly soiled loads, and use the Costco pods for everything else. I'm a believer now.
 
MikeS: Great to hear others' positive experiences with the new detergent format!

I leave for Minneapolis this afternoon and washed several small catch-all loads last night prior to packing. Will have to check out the guest laundry in the hotel and provide pictures. Doubt I'll run into anything as rare as a Huebsch top-loader, as in Chicago.

Used a couple of new brands for the first time:

NICE (Walgreen's pods): Quite spend, and the pods aren't as plump as most other brands; reminiscent of a partially deflated helium balloon. Washed a very small load (two dress shirts; a short-sleeve shirt; two pairs of casual shorts) in the Frigidaire front-loader. Did not produce excess suds; "Ocean Sky" scent was mild and not apparent after drying. Probably won't buy these again, simply because All, Arm & Hammer, and Purex pods suffice for these less-challenging loads and those brands are far less expensive.

ALL: Washed a medium-sized load of bath towels with these. Again, no excess suds; pleasant, fleeting scent. Inexpensive and good for average loads. Cleaned blood spots from hand towels (I'm an aggressive shaver, apparently!)
 
Eugene,

If you're going to look for Biz pods while in Minneapolis, I've also had luck at Rainbow Foods grocery stores.  I would think that with all of the Target stores in the Metro area, you should be able locate some there too.
 
Peter-- You found a great deal on your Tide Pods! Glad you've had good experiences with the new format. I tried Spring Meadow, but found that I like Ocean Mist better. Scent preference is fascinating, isn't it? One person finds a particular scent pleasing; another finds it objectionable.

Gansky-- I'd like to buy a membership at Costco---my sister lives in Sioux Falls, SD and there's a new store there---but timing hasn't been on my side. The first thing I'll purchase is a container of their pods. Yours look very classy in their glass showcase!
 
In spite of all this Pod "rubbish" (I'm guilty of tablets that cost 3x more in the dishwasher... So that makes me a hypocrite) - I went and bought a small box of "Duo" detergent to test out.

 

Its supposed to be for Whites - so I figured that I might try it on my loads of lights/brights. And it only cost $4 - for a pretty small box. Not too shabby, IMO, especially when a 1GK box of drive will set you back about $12 when it isn't on sale.

 

By the way, I'll have to get the prices on the Omo pods we have in stock at the local grocers - see what sort of a bargain-basement rip-off price they're charging us.
 
As previously stated several times, I think detergents just follow the same nonsense, nonreasoned fashion the machines and laundry products and like pretty much everything does nowadays, they pretend to be eco, they pretend to work better they pretend to make you save...what I see is just a selling maneuvre and people falling in the trap filling companies pockets..
You know, here liquid pods came out before the US pods boom, that started infact with the Tide pods, but always don't catching on very much, even the new actual multi-liquid candy -like PODS that followed after the Tide in the US with the name of Dash Ecodosi ie the italian Tide equivalent ( in matter of fame) are really not getting into market and powders and liquids are still the favourite form from the most, but not all..
Don't get me wrong, before liquid pods there always been, tablets and sachets, that had their little slice of market share and they kept it to last and they still coexist along with them, unlike US where many forms of pre-measured were known in 50s and 60s (salvo, vim whatever) then vanished, and re proposed in the 90s ( wisk, tide etc) always to vanish at the end..till now when pods had a boom..
Very strange...
anyway..

Curious is that worldwide they always advertise the phantom saving you should get by using them, but when I ask sustainers of these pods to explain me the curious saving and eco theory behind the pods at the very end I only get a jaw drop and a dismayed look...like a child who has been told the truth about Santa...
Yes, you know....
Because all the time I have people saying all the same things
- you save and you are eco friendly because you use the right amount and you do not waste for spilling
-you have reduced packaging and they're more ecologic
- you do not have wasting of detergnt as it dissolves in the wash and does not end up in the washer piping..
To make it short...maybe not LOL
I just say
Right amount, well...First of all according to label the 1 pod 1 wash is not truthful, because most if not any mention more than 1 for more soiled loads, then I really want someone to explain me how in the world a pod may be more accurately measured than a powder or liquid you can measure till the last grain and or drop according to your load..
I cannot help but think that when 1 pod may be too less then maybe 2 is too much? Ok, even assuming that the 1 pod 1 load may be true...that does not change much, .loads changes all the time, you may have more soiled or lighter soiled, so in the case you have a lighter soiled load, are you really going to use an entire pod when you may actually need just the half of it's content for that load or even less? Saving ah ah...
Not to mention reduced loads when you're always obliged to toss in an entire one... Wow, this is what I call saving also!
You might be do what Launderess I have read does, ie carefully squeezing and weight on a kitchen scale, but then pod loss it's "sense" and it becomes a super ultra liquid, that are around for quite awhile (at least over here )...
I do not know anyone who would do that.....anyway...
At this point they start looking at their shoes....
Well but they avoid you too use too much accidentally....they say..
At this point...
I do not really want to sound like a bitch, but really, who in this world without mental problems would not be able to equalize a dam layer of powder or liquid to a line placed in a cap and or scoop withot so many drama?
Accidental spilling? If you got Parkinson syndrome or tourette maybe....but how many people you know that spill detetgent accidentally on a regular basis?
Here they start getting red in face...
Well at least they are eco friendly...they reduce transportation footprint being compact...
Here I smile...
Look, assuming that you are so concerned about enviroinment, if you really were, you might find unacceptable using an entire pod when for that light soiled load you actually may have needed just the half if not 1/4 of that pod resulting not only in money wasting, but water pollutioning for nothing..
Package foot-print.
Many pods use to come in a rigid plastic container, just weight it an empty one and then weigh a regular 100-80 loads pvc powder sachet, tell me which one uses more plastic..
Powders may weigh more if not concentrated, true but powders are easily transportable in recycled carboard that is way more ecologic than plastic..
But we're talking about Liquid pods right? Not tablets, so let's talk about liquids...
Now I want you to imagine all the liquid total content of a pods package, what about if it, instead of pods was just filled in a bag in box package the same size of it, or even better a plastic self standing refill bag (since many others switched to this form of package) of the same size? You will have the same compactness, but the advantage of dosing and measurung properly every drop of it...
Oh, i was forgetting, what they found out now???? That detergent ends up in the piping??? (this may be typical italian only, advertisements of Dash ecodosi for long ran adverts claiming this)....
Look, every manufacturer of machines and also some detergents advise to let run water before adding detergent, this both if you have a TL or FL, "start machine and then add detergent" means just this" you have a delayed start machine, or you do not want to wait for this? Ok...I tell you something shocking! Since liquids came out some sort of genius found a miracle invention, it is called dosing ball, it's a device you measure detergent into and just toss in the machine and it will dispense detergent just like any pods would do! It's reusable, I know people having the same one since years!
Here comes jaw dropping and lost eyes....
Here I say are these pods really a revolutionary invention as they want us to believe????
Don't think so...

-
 
As previously stated several times, I think detergents just follow the same nonsense, nonreasoned fashion the machines and laundry products and like pretty much everything does nowadays, they pretend to be eco, they pretend to work better they pretend to make you save...what I see is just a selling maneuvre and people falling in the trap filling companies pockets..
You know, here liquid pods came out before the US pods boom, that started infact with the Tide pods, but always don't catching on very much, even the new actual multi-liquid candy -like PODS that followed after the Tide in the US with the name of Dash Ecodosi ie the italian Tide equivalent ( in matter of fame) are really not getting into market and powders and liquids are still the favourite form from the most, but not all..
Don't get me wrong, before liquid pods there always been, tablets and sachets, that had their little slice of market share and they kept it to last and they still coexist along with them, unlike US where many forms of pre-measured were known in 50s and 60s (salvo, vim whatever) then vanished, and re proposed in the 90s ( wisk, tide etc) always to vanish at the end..till now when pods had a boom..
Very strange...
anyway..

Curious is that worldwide they always advertise the phantom saving you should get by using them, but when I ask sustainers of these pods to explain me the curious saving and eco theory behind the pods at the very end I only get from them a jaw drop and a dismayed look...like a child who has been told the truth about Santa...
Yes, you know....
Because all the time I have people saying all the same things, and never one like Eugene that says "I use them just because I like to use them now", personally for me is wasting but who am I to judge? It's his money and his life!! But no! They all instead firmly believe all the stuff they are told!
- you save and you are eco friendly because you use the right amount and you do not waste for spilling
-you have reduced packaging and they're more ecologic
- you do not have wasting of detergnt as it dissolves in the wash and does not end up in the washer piping..
To make it short...maybe not LOL
I just say
Right amount, well...First of all according to label the 1 pod 1 wash is not truthful, because most if not any mention more than 1 for more soiled loads, then I really want someone to explain me how in the world a pod may be more accurately measured than a powder or liquid you can measure till the last grain and or drop according to your load..
I cannot help but think that when 1 pod may be too less then maybe 2 is too much? Ok, even assuming that the 1 pod 1 load may be true...that does not change much, .loads changes all the time, you may have more soiled or lighter soiled, so in the case you have a lighter soiled load, are you really going to use an entire pod when you may actually need just the half of it's content for that load or even less? Saving ah ah...
Not to mention reduced loads when you're always obliged to toss in an entire one... Wow, this is what I call saving also!
You might do what Launderess I have read does, ie carefully squeezing and weight on a kitchen scale, but then pod loose it's "sense" and it becomes a super ultra liquid, that are around for quite awhile (at least over here )...
I do not know anyone who would do that.....anyway...
At this point they start looking at their shoes....
-Well but they avoid you too use too much accidentally....they say..
At this point...
I do not really want to sound like a bitch, but really, who in this world without mental problems would not be able to equalize a dam layer of powder or liquid to a line placed in a cap and or scoop withot so many drama?
-Accidental spilling? If you got Parkinson syndrome or tourette maybe....but how many people you know that spill detetgent accidentally on a regular basis?
Here they start getting red in face...
-Well at least they are eco friendly...they reduce transportation footprint being compact...
Here I smile...
Look, assuming that you are so concerned about enviroinment, if you really were, you might find unacceptable using an entire pod when for that light soiled load you actually may have needed just the half if not 1/4 of that pod resulting not only in money wasting, but water pollutioning for nothing..
Package foot-print.
Many pods use to come in a rigid plastic container, just weight it an empty one and then weigh a regular 100-80 loads pvc powder sachet, tell me which one uses more plastic..
Powders may weigh more if not concentrated, true but powders are easily transportable in recycled carboard that is way more ecologic than plastic..
But we're talking about Liquid pods right? Not tablets, and anyway talking about tablets , try to think about tablets in powdered form, they'd take the same room of tablets, no? But let's talk about liquids since we're talking about LIQUID pods...
Now I want you to imagine all the liquid total content of a pods package, what about if it, instead of pods was just filled in a bag in box package the same size of it, or even better a plastic self standing refill bag (since many others switched to this form of package) of the same size? You will have the same compactness, and the advantage of dosing and measurung properly every drop of it...
Oh, i was forgetting, what they found out now???? That detergent ends up in the piping??? (this may be typical italian only, advertisements of Dash ecodosi for long ran adverts claiming this)....
Look, every manufacturer of machines and also some detergents advise to let run water before adding detergent, this both if you have a TL or FL, "start machine and then add detergent" means just this" you have a delayed start machine, or you do not want to wait for this? Ok...I tell you something shocking! Since liquids came out some sort of genius found a miracle invention, it is called dosing ball, it's a device you measure detergent into and just toss in the machine and it will dispense detergent just like any pods would do! It's reusable, I know people having the same one since years!
Here comes jaw dropping and lost eyes....
Here I say are these pods really a revolutionary invention as they want us to believe????
Don't think so...

-
[this post was last edited: 4/11/2014-16:02]
 
Advertising for detergent pods/pacs in the USA is focused on their convenience, not their eco friendliness. I guess that makes our priorities very clear.

Tim-- Went to a brand new Super Target with coupon in hand...but no Biz Blasts. In fact, no Biz product whatsoever. Several variations of Tide Boost pods were available, as well as Clorox Color-Safe pacs. I'll have to try a WalMart on my way home tomorrow night.
 
Detergent in bags

In the early 90's I know Tide came out with the plastic bags dry detergent and you could order for free the plastic holder for it.  They also had the plastic bags for the liquid.

 

I still have the dry detergent holder and use it to hold my STTP.

 
 
What a bummer.  Either Wal-Mart or Hy-vee should yield some results.  Will you be traveling near Mankato, Fairbault, Waseca, or New Ulm on your way home?  I would think stores in those larger towns should have them.  My cousins live in and around Arlington and shop in Mankato all the time.
 
Ben-- It's actually more fun to use the pods in the SQ than the front-loader: First, let the empty tub fill with a couple of inches of water, then toss in the pod to watch it dissolve. You don't get to see that process in the front-loader.
 
I bypassed the lid switch

so I can watch the wash action and keep an eye on things.

I might try a pod later when I need to get more detergent.
 
WalMart usually carries little sample-sized bags of Tide and Gain---5 pods per bag, if you want to dip your toe in the water. I use one pod if the water level is set halfway between Small and Medium or lower (taking into consideration both our SQ's have had their water levels raised) and two if set higher than that.

Tide pods clean the best. Be prepared to commit to the Gain scent in your clothes for a week. I use Gain only on bath towels and bed linens---don't like it to follow me around all day on shirts and pants.

Both Tide and Gain have the candy-like multi-colored chambers. Arm & Hammer pods are filled with blue powdered detergent. Most other brands are a single color of liquid; usually blue or purple.

You might find you like them for certain loads. Or you may really hate them! Quite honestly, if the SQ was my daily driver, I'd probably stick to liquids/powders. Using 2 pods for a full load would get expensive pretty quickly. But a single pod works very well in the super-concentrated washing solution of a modern front-loader, even for large loads.
 
Eugene -

It is good to know that I am not the only one who puts two pods in if using a full fill on a large top loader. I don't use them often, but I got a deal on a 60-some load tub of Tide pods on clearance for $10.

I thought of you the other day at the grocery store, as we have some other pod options available here, if you have any interest. We have:

** Ajax and Fab Toss-Ins --- these are podded powder like the A&H pods.

** Several varieties from Sun Products which carry the Sun name. While All and Wisk are Sun products, these from Sun are powdered also.

If any of these would be of interest to you, I would be happy to send you a package to see if you like them. Just let me know!

Gordon
 
Gordon-- Funny you should mention those brands, because I ordered one of them from Amazon a few days ago. Fab, Dynamo, and Ajax pods appear to be identical in both formula and packaging. Most need to be ordered in cases, which contain 4 to 6 bags of twenty pods each. I found a vendor selling single bags of Dynamo and Ajax, so I ordered one of those. Can't remember which one. They should arrive in a couple of days.

There is a Dollar General store near me which carries Sun products, so I'll have to stop in to see if they carry pods.

Thanks so much for your generous offer to send products, but I think I have those brands covered.

[this post was last edited: 4/13/2014-11:22]

frigilux++4-13-2014-08-51-9.jpg
 

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