Those Laundry Detergent "Pods" ...
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I usually put liquids in the dispenser when the water starts flowing. This prevents it from sticking to the deterent compartment. When my washer was still connected to cold and hot water, it wasn't a problem at all because the hot water would wash everything away.
Took a quick picture of the detergent isle today. Mostly Henkel and P&G. Mostly liquids. Many jumbo boxes (50% needless fillers). Persil pods.
Took a quick picture of the detergent isle today. Mostly Henkel and P&G. Mostly liquids. Many jumbo boxes (50% needless fillers). Persil pods.
I scoffed at pods for the dishwasher when they appeared because their performance lagged behind top-rated gels/powders, and I didn't believe a tough load could be cleaned well without a dose of detergent in the prewash. Since that time, improvements in their cleaning power have pushed certain brands' pods/pacs to the top of the ratings in Consumer Reports. Cascade Platinum (or Cascade Complete) pacs are now all I use, with excellent results. And yes, I use a whole pac when washing the occasional half load, which is probably a bit of an overdose--but the Earth has not spun off its axis and I continue to sleep soundly at night.
The market share of pods will continue to increase, just as liquids gradually overtook powders. Pods are more convenient to use, do a decent job of cleaning most loads, and probably make the bean counters at P&G happy due to reduced shipping costs.
Having tried Tide pods when they first appeared, I quickly returned to powdered Tide With Bleach because a) it was the superior cleaner, and b) the pods produced too much suds on smaller, lightly-soiled loads (as both Ryan and Launderess pointed out). There are also a number of user complaints at CR that items have been stained blue; something I did not experience.
Frankly, once the cleaning performance improves and, perhaps more importantly, the sudsing issue (especially in soft water) is addressed, I'll give them another chance. So what if small loads get a heavy-handed dose as long as excess suds aren't produced? Toss in two pods (if you think it's needed) for the occasional huge load of heavily-stained/soiled loads.
Yes, pods have drawbacks that need to be addressed, but rest assured P&G's Wizards of Chemistry are locked away in underground bunkers working day and night on solutions to those problems.
I just don't buy into the theory that taking advantage of a laundry product that cleans well and is more convenient to use is proof-positive of the intellectual collapse of western civilization.
[this post was last edited: 12/31/2013-12:08]
The market share of pods will continue to increase, just as liquids gradually overtook powders. Pods are more convenient to use, do a decent job of cleaning most loads, and probably make the bean counters at P&G happy due to reduced shipping costs.
Having tried Tide pods when they first appeared, I quickly returned to powdered Tide With Bleach because a) it was the superior cleaner, and b) the pods produced too much suds on smaller, lightly-soiled loads (as both Ryan and Launderess pointed out). There are also a number of user complaints at CR that items have been stained blue; something I did not experience.
Frankly, once the cleaning performance improves and, perhaps more importantly, the sudsing issue (especially in soft water) is addressed, I'll give them another chance. So what if small loads get a heavy-handed dose as long as excess suds aren't produced? Toss in two pods (if you think it's needed) for the occasional huge load of heavily-stained/soiled loads.
Yes, pods have drawbacks that need to be addressed, but rest assured P&G's Wizards of Chemistry are locked away in underground bunkers working day and night on solutions to those problems.
I just don't buy into the theory that taking advantage of a laundry product that cleans well and is more convenient to use is proof-positive of the intellectual collapse of western civilization.
[this post was last edited: 12/31/2013-12:08]
Auto-dosage
I wonder how long it'll take before more manufacturers start to add this feature to their lines of appliances. GE has SmartDispense on washers and dishwashers and Whirlpool has Precision Dispense but that's it. Over here, many brands offer automatic detergent and even softener dosing. That trend must be coming to the US as well.
I wonder how long it'll take before more manufacturers start to add this feature to their lines of appliances. GE has SmartDispense on washers and dishwashers and Whirlpool has Precision Dispense but that's it. Over here, many brands offer automatic detergent and even softener dosing. That trend must be coming to the US as well.
You're right, Ben, that the ability to reduce dosage remains the pods' Achilles heel. That will present a problem when washing small loads until P&G gets excess sudsing (especially in soft water) under control.
Eugene,
Thanks for your refreshingly reasonable take on the pods. They have both advantages and disadvantages for sure. We have only been hearing the negative here by and large.
I tried them and I wasn't too fond of them due to sudsing and perfume. Like most of us here that pay attention to laundry I like having the ability to tailor dosing too. I will admit to using Finish packs in the dishwasher.
I have watched a number of people doing laundry and they typically many of them just pour detergent into the machine straight from the bottle, no measuring. And there is no observation after the machine starts to see if the dosing was correct. For people like this a pre-measured quantity is actually a good thing. And for good or bad I'll bet these people out number the people that pay attention...
Indeed the best thing would be what Alexander mentioned, a machine that autodoses the detergent itself. Perhaps this could even be accompanied with a PH or other sensor to adjust dosing to the load. Opps scratch that, we can't have machines that have any intelligence either...
Thanks for your refreshingly reasonable take on the pods. They have both advantages and disadvantages for sure. We have only been hearing the negative here by and large.
I tried them and I wasn't too fond of them due to sudsing and perfume. Like most of us here that pay attention to laundry I like having the ability to tailor dosing too. I will admit to using Finish packs in the dishwasher.
I have watched a number of people doing laundry and they typically many of them just pour detergent into the machine straight from the bottle, no measuring. And there is no observation after the machine starts to see if the dosing was correct. For people like this a pre-measured quantity is actually a good thing. And for good or bad I'll bet these people out number the people that pay attention...
Indeed the best thing would be what Alexander mentioned, a machine that autodoses the detergent itself. Perhaps this could even be accompanied with a PH or other sensor to adjust dosing to the load. Opps scratch that, we can't have machines that have any intelligence either...
Do Not Pour .... Directly Onto Fabrics
For years many laundry products came with warnings regarding prevention against coming into contact with *damp* laundry. Well with pods that is exactly what will happen until there is enough water to cause the thing to burst. Even after that event there must be enough water to distribute product quickly to prevent possible staining or fabric damage.
My older Miele uses a nice amount of water for the cottons wash, and the AEG fills whilst tumbling, but still am wary of using any pod product with bleach such as Tide's "Stain boost" with coloured loads. Am just that worried about undiluted product coming into contact and causing marks.
For years many laundry products came with warnings regarding prevention against coming into contact with *damp* laundry. Well with pods that is exactly what will happen until there is enough water to cause the thing to burst. Even after that event there must be enough water to distribute product quickly to prevent possible staining or fabric damage.
My older Miele uses a nice amount of water for the cottons wash, and the AEG fills whilst tumbling, but still am wary of using any pod product with bleach such as Tide's "Stain boost" with coloured loads. Am just that worried about undiluted product coming into contact and causing marks.
It does seem a little strange that the manufacturers put a huge amount of effort into designing a complex system that sprays the detergent with water and dilutes and disperses it (the drawer) and then we go and throw the detergent straight into the drum.
My current machine goes to considerable lengths to avoid that:
The fill cycle is like this:
1) Pump out for about 20 seconds.
2) Sense load.
3) Add enough water to fill the sump and a little bit more through the rinse valve.
4) Spray water through the detergent drawer for about 30 seconds and tumble.
(repeat until fabric's saturated
5) Do a 1 min slow spin to force detergent through fabric.
6) Add more water
7) Wash.
---
The liquids here do not contain any bleach though nor do the pods.
They're all just OBAs, enzymes and surfactants.
Do any of the pods in the US contain bleach?
If you want bleaching you either need to use powered or add oxygen bleach to the machine along with a liquid.
My current machine goes to considerable lengths to avoid that:
The fill cycle is like this:
1) Pump out for about 20 seconds.
2) Sense load.
3) Add enough water to fill the sump and a little bit more through the rinse valve.
4) Spray water through the detergent drawer for about 30 seconds and tumble.
(repeat until fabric's saturated
5) Do a 1 min slow spin to force detergent through fabric.
6) Add more water
7) Wash.
---
The liquids here do not contain any bleach though nor do the pods.
They're all just OBAs, enzymes and surfactants.
Do any of the pods in the US contain bleach?
If you want bleaching you either need to use powered or add oxygen bleach to the machine along with a liquid.
Tide "Booster" Vivid Pods Contain Oxygen Bleach & Ac
Which is why they are promoted for use with liquid detergents such as those made by Tide. P&G also markets such pods for use with versions of Tide powder that do not contain oxygen bleaching systems.
Again the purpose is to overcome the main drawback of using liquid/gel detergents, they cannot/do not contain bleaching agents. The pods are designed in such a away that the oxygen bleach and activators are kept separate from the enzymes and other contents. IIRC the powder part is the oxygen bleach/activator/Zeolites portion with the liquid featuring the rest (enzymes, polymers/Acti-lift formula, etc...
Which is why they are promoted for use with liquid detergents such as those made by Tide. P&G also markets such pods for use with versions of Tide powder that do not contain oxygen bleaching systems.
Again the purpose is to overcome the main drawback of using liquid/gel detergents, they cannot/do not contain bleaching agents. The pods are designed in such a away that the oxygen bleach and activators are kept separate from the enzymes and other contents. IIRC the powder part is the oxygen bleach/activator/Zeolites portion with the liquid featuring the rest (enzymes, polymers/Acti-lift formula, etc...
arbilab
Well-known member
Ugh. Hating the uni-dose pods and the fact they took all the shelf space that used to contain Tide HE powder, and the HE liquid that doesn't work worth a flark, today I bought a box of Tide HF (high foam) powder. It was on sale for $2 off. I'd rather buy Persil but it costs 4 times as much.
In this institution I'm stuck with 00's Maytag toploaders and they don't have a problem with HF; that is, you have to run them twice to get them to rinse properly no matter what.
I've been doing laundry 60 years and doing it properly has never been as complicated/compromised as it is today.
In this institution I'm stuck with 00's Maytag toploaders and they don't have a problem with HF; that is, you have to run them twice to get them to rinse properly no matter what.
I've been doing laundry 60 years and doing it properly has never been as complicated/compromised as it is today.
Took a stroll over to Consumer Reports online and was startled at the number of pods/packs they have tested. Judging by overall scores, Kirkland Signature (Costco) and Tide Pods are the only ones that can compete with the top-end powders/liquids.
For comparison: These are the top scorers among powders and liquids.
Tide With Bleach/Vivid White+Bright HE (powder): overall score is 82 (Excellent) Cost: $.23 per load
Wisk Deep Clean (liquid): 80 (Excellent) Cost: $.14 (can be used in conventional or HE machines)
PODS/PACKS: (all can be used in conventional or HE machines)
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean (Costco): overall score is 73 (Very Good) Cost: $.14 per pod
Tide Pods: 72 (Very Good) Cost: $.22
Nice Power Pacs (Walgreens): 65 (Very Good) Cost: $.34
All Mighty Pacs 4x Concentrated: 59 (Good) Cost: $.18
Arm & Hammer Crystal Burst Plus: 56 (Good) Cost: $.15
Purex Triple Action Ultra Pacs: 52 (Good) Cost: $.15
Dynamo Toss Ins 4x Concentrated Tablets: 51 (Good) Cost: $.20
Arm & Hammer Toss 'N Done Power Paks: 50 (Good) Cost: $.13
Dropps 6x Concentrated: 37 (Fair) Cost: $.28
Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Packs Advanced Triple Enzyme: 35 (Fair) $.30
[this post was last edited: 1/1/2014-14:27]
For comparison: These are the top scorers among powders and liquids.
Tide With Bleach/Vivid White+Bright HE (powder): overall score is 82 (Excellent) Cost: $.23 per load
Wisk Deep Clean (liquid): 80 (Excellent) Cost: $.14 (can be used in conventional or HE machines)
PODS/PACKS: (all can be used in conventional or HE machines)
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean (Costco): overall score is 73 (Very Good) Cost: $.14 per pod
Tide Pods: 72 (Very Good) Cost: $.22
Nice Power Pacs (Walgreens): 65 (Very Good) Cost: $.34
All Mighty Pacs 4x Concentrated: 59 (Good) Cost: $.18
Arm & Hammer Crystal Burst Plus: 56 (Good) Cost: $.15
Purex Triple Action Ultra Pacs: 52 (Good) Cost: $.15
Dynamo Toss Ins 4x Concentrated Tablets: 51 (Good) Cost: $.20
Arm & Hammer Toss 'N Done Power Paks: 50 (Good) Cost: $.13
Dropps 6x Concentrated: 37 (Fair) Cost: $.28
Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Packs Advanced Triple Enzyme: 35 (Fair) $.30
[this post was last edited: 1/1/2014-14:27]
I bought a 5-pack of Tide Pods this afternoon for a test-go.
Great Minds Think Alike
Also use mason jars to hold my powder detergent stash! *LOL*
Also use mason jars to hold my powder detergent stash! *LOL*
Ran a load of jeans in the Calypso with a pod. The dosage seems on-target, minimal sudsing, and it dissolved quickly-enough.
The sweet scent is too much, though. Leastwise I bought only 5 of the goofy things.
Did the scent remain after drying? I had some of it remain on the clothes that were line-dryer but nothing on the laundry from the dryer.
Yes, enough scent remained to be somewhat objectionable. I didn't add an extra rinse but there are (I think) five rinses by default (Calypso rinses nicely, although all the rinses are not preceded by a spin).
All this curiosity-arousing talk of detergent pods compelled me to dig through an envelope of coupons where I found one for Tide pods and one for Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. I want to try the pods on a variety of loads---dress shirts; bed linens; bath linens; uber-stained kitchen whites---using both the top-loading Speed Queen and the Frigidaire front-loader.
All Mighty Pacs (unfortunately only the Free & Clear version), Arm & Hammer Crystal Burst, and Purex Ultra Packs were also on the shelves, all priced considerably lower than the Tide product; but I decided not to do a full-on multi-brand pod comparison test. (Translation: I will probably go to the store tomorrow and pick up a bag each of the other brands, LOL.)
I'd really like to try Costco's Kirkland Signature pods, and was in Sioux Falls, SD (the nearest Costco) on Sunday, but did not have pods on the brain at that point. Has anyone tried them? If so, what are your thoughts?[this post was last edited: 1/2/2014-21:10]
All Mighty Pacs (unfortunately only the Free & Clear version), Arm & Hammer Crystal Burst, and Purex Ultra Packs were also on the shelves, all priced considerably lower than the Tide product; but I decided not to do a full-on multi-brand pod comparison test. (Translation: I will probably go to the store tomorrow and pick up a bag each of the other brands, LOL.)
I'd really like to try Costco's Kirkland Signature pods, and was in Sioux Falls, SD (the nearest Costco) on Sunday, but did not have pods on the brain at that point. Has anyone tried them? If so, what are your thoughts?[this post was last edited: 1/2/2014-21:10]
Glenn & Launderess: I'm afraid I can't join the Great Minds club, as I store my detergent stash in lowly Rubbermaid containers. :-(
The powders: Persil Bio (UK Unilever); Fuller 86 (Fuller Brush Co.); Sears Ultra Stain Fighting; and daily driver Tide Plus Bleach/Vivid White+Bright.
Wisk Deep Clean is an impressive cleaner, and can be used in either a conventional or HE machine. It's a keeper. I won't replace the Tide liquids once they're depleted.
Love the Perwoll for Black & Darks. I wear a lot of black clothing, and it keeps blacks deeper/richer-appearing over multiple trips through the washer than does Woolite.
The powders: Persil Bio (UK Unilever); Fuller 86 (Fuller Brush Co.); Sears Ultra Stain Fighting; and daily driver Tide Plus Bleach/Vivid White+Bright.
Wisk Deep Clean is an impressive cleaner, and can be used in either a conventional or HE machine. It's a keeper. I won't replace the Tide liquids once they're depleted.
Love the Perwoll for Black & Darks. I wear a lot of black clothing, and it keeps blacks deeper/richer-appearing over multiple trips through the washer than does Woolite.
