You can find answers to the most common questions about Tide capsules for washing in the article. We will talk about what they are, what is included in their composition, what types of capsules there are, how to choose and use them correctly.
What are they, photo
Tide capsules are a kind of mini container that contains a high concentration of gel-shaped detergent. Upon contact with water, the shell completely dissolves and the contents flow out.
The product has a dosage required for one wash . Products are manufactured under the Procter&Gamble brand.
The Tide line of detergents is represented not only by capsules. Under this brand you can find washing powders and concentrated gels. They differ not only in the form of release, but also in the method of dosing.
All necessary information is presented on the packaging of the detergent. Powders and gels can be universal (suitable for machine and hand washing) or targeted (only for manual or only for automatic washing). Capsules are used for machine wash only.
Pros and cons of laundry capsules
Like all products, eraser tablets have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at them.
How and where are liquid powders poured into automatic washing machines?
Pros of capsules
During loading they do not form foam, they are also not free-flowing; The unique modern composition allows it to surpass any washing powder in terms of “power” by almost twice. And special capsules can remove even long-term stains; The conditioner, which is included by default, allows you to wash as gently as possible.
This is extremely important for products such as underwear, or any “fragile” fabrics; The product can wash outerwear without streaking; The dosage is observed so precisely that all problems with calculations, as is observed with powders, disappear. The “tablet” contains exactly the amount of detergent needed for washing
Moreover, you won’t have to deal with problems such as soap residue on your clothes; Before washing, the powder is poured into a special compartment, and only then it begins to be poured into the drum. Such a long “path” is a guarantee of loss of powder, because it sticks to the walls of the machine, gets stuck in any crevices, etc. This will not happen with capsules - you will spend exactly as much substance as you bought; The substance dissolves perfectly even at low water temperatures; The products are much safer for the environment. They do not cause allergic reactions, and do not evaporate hazardous chemicals into the air, unlike powders; You can buy a couple of capsules in a small container and wash up to 5 kg. linen, and if you take a full package, it will still be smaller than the “powder” package.
What are the disadvantages
Capsules have gone far ahead, leaving powders behind, but there is a lot of negativity and mistrust swirling around them. The main complaint about the new product is the inability to divide it into several parts if you need to wash, say, one small item. Therefore, if you often wash a few things, then capsules will definitely be disadvantageous.
Another disadvantage is the high cost relative to powders, which is not justified if the things you wash are not very dear to you. Moreover, after washing with capsules, things will smell much stronger than with powder. Therefore, if you don’t like it, you shouldn’t wash bed linen, towels, etc. with capsules.
The best option is to alternate capsules and other detergents that are familiar to you. So, for more gentle washing, you can take “tablets”, and other washing substances for household items.
Another problem is the attractive appearance of the capsule, which resembles a rubber toy or treat, and may be of interest to children. If the baby licks or eats this “delicacy”, the consequences will be, to put it mildly, disastrous...
Kinds
The following types of Tide capsules can be found on sale:
Tide Pods with Lenor scent .
The package may include 15 or 23 pcs. You can wash them even in cool water, starting from 30 degrees. The product effectively deals with stubborn stains, refreshes things, gives them a pleasant aroma, and helps preserve color.- "Alpine freshness" . On sale you can find packaging with 12, 15, 23 and 30 pieces. They are used for washing white and colored items. The minimum water temperature is 30 degrees.
- For colored laundry Tide Color . The package can contain 12, 15, 23 and 30 pieces. Tide color is suitable for washing colored items. The composition is designed in such a way as to prevent pigment from being washed out of the fabric fibers.
The weight of each unit is 24.8 g. This is enough to wash a full drum of dirty laundry (about 5 kg).
Features of choice
The capsules meet all safety requirements and do not contain phosphates. Tide Pods with Lenor scent and Alpine Fresh capsules can be used to wash any clothes, as they are universal. Their main difference is aroma .
Due to the presence of optical brightener in the composition, light-colored fabrics do not turn gray or yellow.
To care for colored items, there is a specialized product - Tide Color. It is used to preserve the original brightness of the fabric. Thanks to the special composition, the pigment will not be washed out of the fibers.
Despite the differences in names, all capsules do an excellent job of removing stubborn stains.
Features of choice
When choosing Tide detergent, you need to take into account the type of fabric, the nature of the dirt and the washing method.
Optimal washing quality can only be achieved if the correct detergent has been selected.
Basic recommendations:
- Machine washable. You can use any detergent labeled “automat”.
- Handwash. Detergents with the appropriate mark are suitable for washing, for example, Tide “Alpine Freshness” Hand wash.
- Washing white clothes. Preference should be given to those products that contain whitening components, for example, Tide gel with Lenor “Scandinavian Spring” scent.
- Washing colored or dark items. You need to choose detergents marked Color. They do not contain bleach, but contain substances that protect the original color of the fabric.
- Washing children's clothes. Choose Tide children's washing powder. This product is hypoallergenic and contains no phosphates or dyes. The powder granules are easy to rinse out. The detergent has a neutral aroma.
- Washing delicate fabrics. If careful care of things is required, it is better to use capsules or gel. Their enhanced formula allows you to remove contaminants in cool water. Detergent particles do not linger in the fabric fibers, so you can avoid additional rinsing.
- Washing bed linen. To make it soft and pleasantly scented, you can use powder, gel or capsules with conditioner, such as Tide Pods with Lenor scent.
How to use: instructions for use
Using Tide pods is easy . Unlike powder or gel, a person does not have to calculate the dose of detergent.
How to use them and how much should I put in the machine? The formula is simple: “1 wash = 1 capsule.”
Universal instructions for use:
- Place the capsule in the drum of the washing machine.
- Place dirty laundry sorted by color on top of it.
- Select the appropriate washing mode and start the cycle.
No additional rinsing is required. The detergent rinses out quickly without leaving white residue or stains on things.
The gel, located inside a water-soluble shell, is equally gentle on all types of fabric. Therefore, there is no need to purchase any separate detergents to wash delicate items.
The shell is not opened; it should dissolve on its own upon contact with water . Violation of the integrity of the film is dangerous, since it contains a high concentration of detergents. If they come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, they can cause a chemical burn.
Surfactants and other active components begin to work at 30 degrees and above. Therefore, Tide can be used for washing delicate fabrics. The gel foams well, copes with complex stains and is easy to rinse.
Tide pods are placed on the bottom of the drum first. Only after this is the laundry loaded into the washing machine.
If you violate the sequence of actions, the capsule will fall under the rubber band surrounding the centrifuge. There it will not be able to completely dissolve, which will negatively affect the quality of the wash.
What are the benefits of capsules?
Compared to powder and gels, Tide capsules have many times more advantages. The most important thing is safety. Such “balls” are environmentally friendly, a leader among hypoallergenic products and are suitable for washing clothes for children and allergy sufferers.
There are also other positive aspects.
- Efficiency. The innovative composition is 2-2.5 times superior to washing powders in terms of washing quality. Powerful whitening components allow you to remove difficult stains quickly and at low temperatures. One medium cycle is enough without pre-washing or soaking.
- Fast dissolution. The capsule shell dissolves at the right time, and the active substances are easily rinsed out. There is no need for additional rinsing or increasing the temperature - everything is washed out quickly, without white residue or streaks.
- High concentration of active substances. One capsule can wash a full drum of clothes.
- Versatility. The formula works at any temperature and is gentle on all types of fabrics. Capsules can be used even for washing delicate materials: silk, suede, linen and cotton. You can also use them to refresh expensive underwear, which is usually washed only by hand.
- Calculated dosage. One capsule is designed for 3-7 kg of laundry, and the active substance is enough to fully wash all the clothes loaded into the drum. Therefore, there is no need to dose the product, as with conventional powders and gels.
- Economical. When the powder “travels” through the machine, it loses 3-5% of its composition, as it remains on the walls of the drum, tray and nozzles. This does not happen with capsules - the entire mass goes into use. Also, helium balloons are difficult to spill or overfill.
- Ergonomics and ease of use. The capsule packaging is easy to open and close; there is no need to use additional clips or special containers. The box itself does not take up much space, and the “balls” are easy to use. Piece dosing is especially convenient if the washing machine is installed not in the bathroom, but in the kitchen or hallway.
Another “plus” of capsules is that they are aimed at preserving the color of the fabric. Thanks to the 3-in-1 formula, the product cleanses, removes impurities and adds brightness due to the concentrated conditioner present. Housewives will also be pleased with the range offered by the manufacturer - it’s easy to choose the right scent, neutral, alpine or floral.
What is the price, where to buy?
You can buy Tide pods in stores that have a department with household chemicals . This is a fairly popular product, so finding it will not be difficult. You can also order detergent from any online market.
How much do the capsules cost? The cost depends on the specific point of sale, as well as on the number of pieces in the package.
Approximate prices:
- Tide Color, 15 pieces - 350 rubles, 30 pieces - 600 rubles;
- “Alpine freshness” 15 pieces – 350 rubles;
- with Lenor scent 15 pieces - 420 rubles.
The larger the packaging, the higher the price, but if you calculate it per unit of product, you can notice significant savings.
Precautionary measures
Household chemicals should be used with caution. Even the safest-looking capsules can cause harm if not treated properly. In addition, the high cost of the product itself obliges you to follow the rules for storing and using sachets so that they do not spoil.
Recommendations for saving and using “pads”:
- Keep the capsule package away from children and closed.
- Do not handle the sachet with bare or wet hands. If it dissolves in the palm, the concentrate coming into contact with the skin will cause irritation. For the same reason, do not use for hand washing.
- Do not use for soaking - the fabric may be damaged.
Only a responsible attitude and compliance with the rules of use will help achieve maximum efficiency.
Top 3 laundry detergents from other manufacturers
In addition to Tide capsules, similar detergents from other manufacturers are available for sale:
Persil
The products are manufactured by the German company Henkel. This is a highly effective detergent that copes well with complex stains. The formula contains several active components:
- concentrated washing gel,
- bleach,
- stain remover
- enzymes.
On sale you can find products for white and colored items, as well as universal capsules that are suitable for caring for all types of fabrics. For a package of 14 pieces you will need to pay about 370 rubles. The weight of one capsule is 25 g.
Losk
The composition includes 6 active substances, each of which fights different types of pollution . There are capsules for washing colored and white items on sale. Products are manufactured under the Henkel brand. The cost of a package with 21 capsules is 380 rubles.
Ariel
They are produced by the same company as Tide (Procter&Gamble). The range is represented by 4 types of capsules: Color, Touch of Lenor Fresh, Mountain Spring, Shea Butter. There are no fundamental differences in detergents.
All capsules wash equally well; the formula is based on 3 active ingredients, which is why all packages have the inscription “3 in 1” . The cost of a box with 12 capsules is 250 rubles.
Compound
The three-compartment capsule is an effective synthetic laundry detergent that provides a comprehensive approach to fabric processing.
Contains:
surfactants are necessary to separate contaminants from the fibers of the material (included in the composition of water-soluble briquettes is 30% of non-surfactant surfactants and 5-15% of non-surfactant surfactants, respectively);- phosphonates – serve for more intensive surfactant work and reduce water hardness;
- enzymes make it possible to effectively combat contaminants, including those of biological origin;
- fragrance – gives things a light aroma of freshness;
- coumarin and other components.
The rich composition without phosphates ensures high-quality washing of clothes.
To prevent detergent residue from remaining on the fabric, items must be rinsed thoroughly . Using the additional rinse function will better remove gel residues from the fabric.
Reviews
You can find many reviews about Tide pods. This indicates that the product is in demand. Most people appreciate the cleaning capabilities of this innovative formula.
Capsules cope well with various types of dirt, leaving things smelling good. Users like the unusual shape of the capsules.
The main disadvantage, according to people, is their high cost . Some are irritated by their pungent odor, which takes a long time to disappear from the laundry. Reviews can be found here and here.
There are housewives for whom the capsule shell does not dissolve completely. It gets under the rubber band of the drum and has to be removed manually. Most often this happens due to a violation of the sequence of actions when the capsule is placed in the drum on top of things. Reviews can be read here.
You will find a lot of important and useful information about laundry capsules in this section.
Disadvantages of capsules
The main disadvantages of gel tablets:
- They cannot be divided into parts. When you need to wash one or two items, the capsule is not suitable.
- Prohibition on hand washing.
- Higher cost than other chemicals.
- After washing, things can retain a persistent, pungent odor for a long time.
- With a short machine program and low temperature, the shell may not dissolve completely, and soap marks and stains may remain on the clothing.
- The bright packaging is attractive to children, and the capsules look like candy. Therefore, you have to keep the box with pillows in a safe place, inaccessible to children.
When comparing washing powders, gels, tablets and capsules, many housewives put capsules in first place. Gel pads have a number of advantages over other household chemicals. They cope better with dirt, are versatile, economical, compact and easy to use.
