Mitch-- Thanks for the link to the article. Staining and failure to dissolve are definitely the most common complaint about pods. I haven't experienced that, so far, which is why I wanted to try this experiment.
Alex-- I've had very short hair since 1995, so my blow dryer was gifted to my nephew many years ago. That would be a shortcut to getting the stains dry; and it would avoid any possible stain transfer to the dryer drum and paddles.
Nate-- Frankly, I think the pod stains any item it touches as it dissolves, but the agitation of the wash cycle removes it from the fabric under more friendly circumstances. Wonder if it would adhere itself to (and stain), say, a damp bath towel and cause problems, especially if the 'delayed start' feature was used. H-m-m-m-m... that sounds like another experiment in the making, doesn't it?
Freddy-- You're right; I'd never use a Quick cycle for a full load of towels. I was simply trying to create the worst possible circumstances to cause the pod to malfunction. In fact, I don't recall ever using the Quick cycle before now.
Ben-- It's time to move into the 'acceptance' phase. I'm a pod person, now. By the way, have you ever had problems with Sears detergent not dissolving properly? It has formed thin, crisp pieces of hardened detergent for me on two separate occasions. They looked like paper-thin pieces of styrofoam whirling around in the water. It's only happened it the top-loader. I suppose the instant dilution of the detergent in the dispenser on the front-loader helps with that issue.
Stan-- I don't know why Tide and Gain are the only multi-chambered/multi-colored pods. You'd think the whole staining issue would be moot if the liquid was white (as it is in the main chamber of Tide pods) or clear. The deep blue or purple color of most pods doesn't change the hue of light-colored items. Quite honestly, I have no idea what the pod casing is made of. I've watched several of them disintegrate in the Speed Queen top-loader, and the casing just seems to disappear. Perhaps it goes to pod heaven?
Paul-- I think you're on to something; the new pods do seem to dissolve faster. I've not had a problem with them migrating to the boot, as they did when first introduced.
Jon-- There will be more experiments and, eventually, a full-blown stain removal test with some of the better-performing pods. Finding the time to do the tests is the problem.
Thanks, everyone, for checking in on this thread. Many here do not use pods and I thought it might be interesting for you to see how they function. Or in this case, how they malfunction.
[this post was last edited: 4/20/2014-20:26]
