Liquids are the worst for front loaders. Powder is the best because it causes less build up which leads to mold, mildew and smells. Google it and see all the info there.

Debbi....You just asked the equivalent to BMW or Mercedes? Beatles or Stones? Madonna or Cher? LOL

I think all 3 choices are fine, and they are not that far off money wise, to make much of any difference at the end of the month. I love the convenience of pods, and when I am doing large loads in my front loader, they are awesome. When I have small loads or loads that I know are lightly soiled...pods are too sudsy for me.

Liquids are too sudsy for towels, but I like Tide with Bleach Alt. liquid on sheets.

I use powders for most items. I honestly like the way everything feels with liquids, but powders are easier for me to dose and monitor suds. Also, I feel powders rinse easier from many items.

Thank you both! Larsi, I'm laughing! I'm fine with suds. Actually, I think I need more STPP because I've not been seeing suds lately. I do use triple rinse. So liquids are bad for the front loader, but they make the towels softer? I absolutely HATE scratchy towels! Maybe I should just stick with the pods then?

Hi Alex, I guess I don't understand why suds don't rinse out is different from soap not rinsing out ? If the suds don't rinse out the non-sudsing soap wouldn't rinse out either- although it might look less noticeable it seems to me you still have the same problem. You will notice that the clothing has that soapy feel when you touch it.

I am impressed that the OP can still find powder detergents. I really do think that the powder detergents work better.

Sodium Carbonate. .Ahhh..my fav subject. LOL.

Lets talk about it...I see absolutly no problem with this stuff as long as its used in moderation. Yes it can be a devil to rinse out, but if your machine does a good enough job in the rinse cycle you should not have a problem using powder detergent, which IMO does a better job cleaning and keeping your machine in good condition. Its when you use powder detergent and add powder boosters containing a large amount of carbonates that you run into problems. For sure the two chamber pods containing liquid and powder which most like has carbonates in it would not be enough to cause problems.

Debbi.....IMO powder is best, depending on brand..Tide powders are great. Tide pods are pretty good but of course that's liquid. Why don't you use both...Tide powder like Tide with Bleach powder for whites and Tide pods or liquid for colors..best of both worlds. Lol.

Mama, I currently used Tide Boost pods (Tide Boost Vivid White & Bright) in every load. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V5GSI2U/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0094DKJQE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ETQZ7WB27MV67VJZG1G

I had switched from Tide pods to Arm & Hammer pods or Mrs. Meyers liquid. So currently I am using one Arm & Hammer pod, one Tide Boost pod, and one tablespoon of STPP. I wash all in hot with 3 rinses. I want to switch back to Tide for my regular detergent, so I wasn't sure if I should go with liquid, powder or pods.

Is your advice the same, knowing about the Tide Boost pods?

Hey Practigal -- Sorry, I don't think I was very clear in my rambling post. I guess there are two issues. First, if your machine doesn't rinse well (like my old one), residue left over from powders will, IMO, leave clothes feeling worse than residue left from liquids/gels. Just my opinion!

The other issue was a comment on appearance vs. reality, which I think you touched on. For years, I thought I was dosing detergent (both powder and liquid) correctly because I didn't see suds in my Samsung FL. Now that I have the Miele, I'm washing the same amount of clothing (maybe even a bit more) using the exact same doses in the same water, but I see suds. The reason? Higher water levels. Both the washes and rinses were so miserly in the Samsung that I didn't see suds and assumed my doses were okay. Not at all. I've found myself cutting back significantly. Hope that cleans it up a bit :)