Laundry Detergent: It's Pod vs. Pod In The Frigidaire FL'er

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frigilux

frigilux

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You knew it was coming, right? Once again, I can resist everything except temptation. Having participated in Matt's (NYCWriter) lively thread on pods/pacs over at the Blue Forum, I decided to check out the brands available on the shelf at the village grocery store. They would be Tide, Arm & Hammer, and Purex. Full disclosure: All Mighty Pacs were also on offer, but only in a giant bag of the Free/Clear version, so I passed.

First up: Tide Pods. (This is not my photo; thank you, Google.) The multi-chambers are filled with colorful liquids and they provide a delightfully squishy tactile experience.[this post was last edited: 1/6/2014-22:12]

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First up, a full load of dress shirts washed in warm water using the Normal cycle (about 15 minutes of tumble agitation). The detergent behaved itself and everything emerged clean and fresh-smelling. For the curious: I split the load of over a dozen shirts into three loads for the dryer, as I am not a fan of the iron.[this post was last edited: 1/6/2014-21:49]

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Next, a load of kitchen whites using the Sanitize cycle (heaviest soil setting; extra rinse). This profile-style wash has a 70-minute wash tumble. Total cycle time is about 1:50. The photo didn't turn out, but I also washed a half-load of shirts/shorts/socks in hot water with an extended, heated wash (about 35 minutes of wash tumble). This is what things looked like about 20 minutes into the wash on both loads. Needless to say, the washer's oversudsing protocol was triggered both times. The load of ridiculously stained whites was spotlessly clean.

Conclusion: Tide likes full loads; goes completely bonkers on long, heated washes in very soft water.[this post was last edited: 1/6/2014-21:50]

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The Tide experience bums me out just a bit, as I'm afraid the other two brands will probably produce a tubful of suds, as well.

At bat: Purex pacs. The are filled with a blue--not green--liquid, despite photographic evidence to the contrary. [this post was last edited: 1/6/2014-21:51]

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Finally, Arm & Hammer. The pacs are called Crystal Burst, and are filled with a light blue powder. I've used them on several loads with good results---even a load of stained kitchen whites---and no sudsing issues with small loads, boosted water temps or long cycles. This load is made up of two queen-sized sheets and nine pillowcases (yes, nine; don't judge me) using hot water, and the Heavy cycle with Steam option (1st rinse is a 20-minute tumble in heated hot water; 2nd rinse is warm).

Overall, I give them a thumbs-up, having tried them with loads of various sizes (from small to large) and various soil-levels. Tide cleaned the best, but was touchy with soft, hot water and extended washes. Arm & Hammer cleaned well. The Purex is best for lightly-to-moderately soiled loads.

No problems with blue-stained articles (a common complaint at user forums), nor with pacs finding their way into the boot (I put the pacs in first, at the back of the tub, followed by clothes). All pacs dissolved very quickly. They are tantalizingly convenient to use.

Having said all that, I have three large boxes of powdered Tide Ultra Vivid White + Bright HE on the shelf, so there won't be a pod takeover in my laundry room any time soon.[this post was last edited: 1/6/2014-21:48]

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Suds FREE!

Why can't they just make a SUDS FREE detergent for HE washing like they do for automatic dishwashers?

Malcolm
 
We thank you and your machine for your sacrifices in the name of scientific testing. Did the oceans of Tide suds rinse easily? Did they hamper the first spin or any spins? Was the final rinse free of foam with all of the pods?

You mentioned loading them first at the rear of the drum. Did the package warn against putting them in the dispenser? I was pissed when the short-lived HE tablets did not dissolve in the dispenser and banged around in the drum due to the low water level for wash in some HE machines.
 
I have bought Tide Pods a couple times, and while they are convenient and work well, they are EXPENSIVE. I have used the Purex pods once, and was not impressed. If a company could mannufacture a pod type detergent that worked well and was no more expensive than a liquid or powder, I would be all over that. Until then, I will probably stick to traditional powders and liquids.
 
That sudsing was my issue with Tide pods

I had freaking suds all over in the FL LG machine! Even overflowing out of the stand pipe. I have not braved trying any more of these. Thanks to Eugene's write up, I may try the Arm & Hammer pods :)

Thank you!!
 
Frig, you are aware

what happened in Santa Mira, CA when suddenly, out of the blue, bunch of pods showed up?

YOU'RE NEXT!
 
John and Malcolm-- P&G just loves their suds, especially with Tide. I also wish they'd just make a suds-free version for those of us with very soft water.

Tom-- The Frigidaire's oversudsing protocol is interesting. It tumbled very, very slowly, then ramped up to maybe 100 rpm, then repeated the process a couple of times. This broke down well over half the suds on its own. Then it added a rinse and carried on with the rest of the cycle. There was a little bit of suds left in the final rinse, but not enough to warrant an additional rinse. The 1300 rpm final spin took care of it.

Dustin-- I'll probably always keep a box of powdered Tide With Bleach on the shelf, as it's the best-cleaning detergent I've used. But I have to admit I'm tempted by the pods. I'll have washed a good 40+ loads by the time these are all used up; then I'll decide whether to continue buying them. I was pretty impressed by the Arm & Hammer pods, and they aren't as expensive as Tide. I really need to get to a Costco and try theirs. They are rated even higher than Tide Pods by Consumer Reports (by only 1 or 2 points).

Mitch-- Buy a small bag of the Arm & Hammer pods and see how they work for you. I have very soft water, and that can really help boost the cleaning power of a middle-of-the-pack detergent. Again, I want to get ahold of some of Costco's Kirkland Signature pods.

Ben-- I'm not quite a pod person yet...but if I start acting strangely, you may want to alert the authorities! I'll try the other two brands in the Speed Queen this weekend and let you know how they perform.[this post was last edited: 1/7/2014-19:16]
 
I buy both regular and HE detergents (Gain) .What I do is use a half measure of the regular non HE powder. If the suds are more then half up the window, I add another half measure of the HE version and the suds die instantly.
 
Pods In the wash drum

According to the French Ariel "3in1" site the pods are supposed to go in the drum and laundry on top.

Also P&G is well aware in some instances the pods will not dissolve totally. This is especially true when the drum is over loaded and you'll notice bits of the plastic pouch remaining. P&G claims the plastic will not harm textiles and to either rewash the item or wet and rinse the stuff away.

 
Launderess-- I'll use a pod in a super-stuffed load of bath towels to see if the pouch breaks down completely. So far, no problems in that department, but have yet to test a pod with a true BobLoad.

Link to French-language web page: Your sense of humor is razor-sharp, my dear.
 

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