Had to pick between two laundry detergents for a bulk buy at Costco

Last week I stood there comparing the Kirkland brand pods ($18 for 108 loads) against Tide pods ($28 for 81 loads) and went with the cheaper option to save $10. Three washes later and my work shirts still smell a bit off, especially after a sweaty day on the pressure washer rig. Should I just suck it up and switch back to Tide even though it costs more per load?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_oscar27d ago

And you're running those work shirts on a heavy duty cycle with an extra rinse, right? The cheap pods just don't have the same enzyme pack to break down body oils and grime from physical labor. If you already cranked the settings and they still smell, then yeah, Tide is probably the only fix here.

jessica_robinson2327d ago

Damn, I used to be all about saving money on laundry stuff too. I was the guy buying the cheapest pods thinking detergent is all the same. But after reading this and seeing how your work clothes still smell after three washes, I'm honestly rethinking my whole approach. My gym gear has been holding onto odors lately too and I bet it's the same cheap store brand stuff. Guess there really is a difference in how those enzymes break down sweat and oils. Might have to bite the bullet and try the pricier Tide next time around.

the_mila27d ago

Try checking your machine's water temperature. Those cheap pods sometimes need hotter water to dissolve right. If your washer's on a cold cycle that could explain the leftover smell. Also hard water messes with cheaper detergents more. Might not be the pods themselves but how they're working in your specific setup.

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