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Tide responds to reports of purple and blue stains
Published: February 20, 2014 04:15 PM
Lately we've been seeing a number of reports on our website and others about the multicolored Tide Pods leaving purple and blue stains on laundry. There's even a litany of reports on the website of Procter & Gamble, Tide's parent company, describing staining and the failure of the pods to dissolve properly. Tide Pods performed very well in Consumer Reports' tests of laundry detergent so we wanted to get to the bottom of this. Here's what came out in the wash.
"This product dissolves poorly and has ruined my son's pullover (cream colored) and left purple stains on the fabric," wrote one of our readers in a user review. "It was a beautiful piece of clothing that is now ruined! I am not a happy customer!" Neither was another reader who wrote: "Tide Pods left bluish/purple stains on white towels, and other whites (socks, tee shirts, and pillowcases). This product should be taken off the market until they figure out the problem."
So Consumer Reports contacted Tide and asked the company what caused the stains, how to avoid them, and what to do with clothing that's already suffered in the wash. We heard back from Tracey L. Long, who handles inquiries about fabric care for P&G.
"The most common contributors to the development of a blue/purple stain on fabrics is not placing the pac into the washing machine drum BEFORE adding the clothes and/or overstuffing machine with laundry," Long wrote in an e-mail. "This is important to ensure machine has enough space to provide the agitation needed for the best clean and to maximize contact with ‘free water' in the machine." Long went on to offer these tips.
- Do not place the pod in the dispenser drawer.
- Do not open the pod/pac or use for pretreating.
- Do not use Tide Pods in prewash cycles.
Long also made some recommendations for what to do with clothing that's already been stained. "We expect any unintended fabric staining should be treatable by washing the stained item again via another wash load using either a Tide Pod or Liquid Tide laundry detergent," Long wrote. If that doesn't work, Tide recommends:
- Rinse the stain under hot water to remove as much as possible.
- Gently wring the excess water from the item and lay it out flat.
- Apply household rubbing alcohol to the stain, making sure it covers the entire stain. (Test on similar fabric or inside fold first.)
- Let the stain soak for at least 10 minutes—the longer the better.
- Using warm or hot water, rinse the fabric. This should remove the stain.
- If the stain has not been completely removed, repeat the steps above.
Of course, not all the comments about Tide Pods were negative. "I have NEVER had any 'stain' problems that some have referenced BUT you have to do one simple thing. POD GOES IN FIRST!," wrote one satisfied customer. "If you can't do that you might have problems but I have had none in the years since it came out."
If you're not a fan of laundry pods or packs, we also found some top performing laundry detergents in the form of powders and liquids, including varieties from Tide, Wisk, and Kirkland Signature from Costco. If you have an opinion about Tide, join the conversation on our website or on P&G's website or contact P&G customer service.
—Mary H.J. Farrell
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As a laundry care expert with extensive knowledge in the field, I'd like to address the concerns raised in the provided article regarding Tide Pods leaving purple and blue stains on laundry. This issue has been reported by several consumers, prompting an investigation into the matter. I'll break down the key concepts and provide additional insights:
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Consumer Reports' Findings: The article mentions that Consumer Reports conducted tests on Tide Pods, and the product performed well in their evaluations of laundry detergent. However, it also acknowledges numerous reports of purple and blue stains on laundry, leading to dissatisfaction among consumers.
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User Reviews and Complaints: Actual user reviews play a crucial role in understanding the extent of the problem. The article quotes some of the complaints from users who experienced staining issues with Tide Pods. These complaints highlight instances where the product failed to dissolve properly, resulting in unwanted stains on clothing items.
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Communication with Tide (Procter & Gamble): Consumer Reports reached out to Tide's parent company, Procter & Gamble (P&G), to address the staining issue. Tracey L. Long, responsible for fabric care inquiries at P&G, responded to the inquiries and provided insights into the potential causes of the stains and recommendations for avoiding them.
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Causes of Staining: According to Long, one of the common contributors to the development of blue/purple stains is not placing the Tide Pod into the washing machine drum before adding clothes or overstuffing the machine with laundry. Proper placement and allowing enough space for agitation are emphasized to achieve the best clean and avoid staining.
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Tips to Avoid Staining: Long offers specific tips to prevent staining issues:
- Do not place the pod in the dispenser drawer.
- Do not open the pod or use it for pretreating.
- Avoid using Tide Pods in prewash cycles.
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Treatment for Stained Clothing: For clothing that has already been stained, Long suggests treating the item by washing it again using either a Tide Pod or Liquid Tide laundry detergent. If the stain persists, Tide recommends a step-by-step process, including rinsing the stain under hot water, applying rubbing alcohol, and repeating if necessary.
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Positive Feedback and Recommendations: Despite the reported issues, the article also includes positive feedback from satisfied customers who have not experienced stain problems with Tide Pods. One customer emphasizes the importance of placing the pod in the washing machine first to avoid potential issues.
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Alternative Laundry Detergents: The article concludes by mentioning alternative top-performing laundry detergents in powder and liquid forms, including products from Tide, Wisk, and Kirkland Signature from Costco. This provides consumers with options if they prefer alternatives to laundry pods.
In summary, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the reported staining issues with Tide Pods, the company's response, and tips for prevention and treatment. It also provides alternatives for consumers who may be seeking different laundry detergent options.
