Tide Capsules Review: Are They Worth the Cost?

Tide Capsules: A Love-Hate Relationship

summarizeEditor's Summary

I've been a fan of Tide capsules since they first hit the market, but lately, I've been having some major issues with them. The cardboard packaging is a nice touch, but it's a total pain to open. I've got to say, it's a bit of a game changer for me - I'm switching to a different brand.

settingsSpecifications

Value8/10

Design4/10

Quality6/10

VerdictFrustrated

Shipment8/10

Performance5/10

Hey guys, I'm still a fan of Tide capsules since they first hit the shelves. I love how easy they are to use - just pop one in the washing machine drum and you're good to go! No more scrubbing away at the detergent compartment. I remember when they used to come in plastic packaging, so I could store them in the bathroom, even with the higher humidity levels.

Now they come in cardboard packaging.

I have to say, it's a bit of a pain to open them. You need to dance around it - remove the paper sticker on the left side, press the little circle on both sides, and voila!

Kids' clothes can be a real challenge to clean, and I used to swear by these capsules for that. They're still pretty affordable, too - I got them for 300 rubles on sale, which works out to about 30 rubles per capsule. Not bad, considering how well they used to work.But, let's get real - they don't do so great in cold water. I mean, I've tried them on stains that were already pre-washed, and they just can't handle it.

For bigger loads, I usually grab some gel from Wildberries:

NanoClean-pro Color Laundry Gel, 5L

Pronly Universal Gel 2in1, 5L

I was surprised to find that these gel packs handle stains way better than my old favorite, Tide capsules. So, why waste the extra cash?

Apparently, the manufacturer recommends using two capsules for tough stains. But what if you're washing a smaller load? My washing machine doesn't do a great job of getting the clothes clean, so you're stuck doing it by hand. Convenient? Not really...

The water-resistant packaging is a nice touch. When did cardboard packaging become water-resistant, anyway? There's another major downside: all the capsules stick together when you store them. Trying to separate them just ends up damaging the capsule and leaking the liquid into the packaging. The cardboard gets all soggy in the process. That's what I call 'water-resistant' packaging.

Here's what the capsule looks like.

The amount of cleaning solution inside is less than half a capsule.

Small stains are no problem for the capsules. But honestly, regular laundry detergent does just as good a job, and it's cheaper to boot. Plus, you get five liters of it.

But when it comes to tough stains, like the icing from an ice cream cone, the capsules are completely useless. And I'm not even talking about just any old stain – this was after I'd pre-treated the fabric in cold water with a stain remover.

During my experience with these capsules, I noticed a few pros and cons:

- nice scent

I'm happy to report that I don't need to use fabric softener with this product.

It's super easy to use, too.

The downsides:

Without any promotions, it's pretty pricey.

It doesn't do a great job of removing tough stains.

It causes the capsules to stick together.

It struggles with whitening clothes.

I only get 10 capsules in a pack.

And if the capsules burst, the cardboard packaging gets all soggy.

Honestly, I'd probably pass on buying this product again. The results are basically the same as using regular laundry gel. And if there's no difference, why pay more? That's a rhetorical question...

Thanks for reading!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Are Tide capsules worth the extra cost?

Honestly, no - there are cheaper alternatives out there that work just as well.

Do Tide capsules really work?

They do a great job of removing tough stains, but they're not perfect.

Can I use Tide capsules with my high-efficiency washing machine?

Yes, they're designed to work with HE machines.

Are Tide capsules eco-friendly?

The new cardboard packaging is a nice touch, but the capsules themselves are still made from plastic.

Can I buy Tide capsules in bulk?

Yes, you can buy them in larger quantities online or in-store.

check_circlePros

•The capsules are super easy to use - just pop one in the washing machine drum and you're good to go!
•I love the new cardboard packaging - it's eco-friendly and takes up less space in my bathroom.
•Tide capsules do a great job of leaving a fresh, clean scent on my clothes.
•They're convenient to store and transport, especially with the new packaging.
•I've noticed that they do a great job of removing tough stains from my kids' clothes.

cancelCons

•The cardboard packaging is a major pain to open - you have to dance around it to get it to work.
•The capsules are way too expensive, especially when they're not on sale.
•I've found that they don't do a great job of removing all types of stains - especially those pesky grease spots.
•They can be a bit harsh on my whites, leaving them looking dingy and yellow.
•I've had to rewash some of my clothes multiple times because they didn't get clean the first time around.