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Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods vs Tide PODS Free and Gentle

Both are Tide pod detergents, and the real split is scent and skin sensitivity versus stain power. The Free and Gentle is the safer pick for babies, sensitive skin or fragrance-free households, and it is the larger tub. The Hygienic Clean is the stronger cleaner on body soils and hidden dirt, and it carries a very high owner rating. Buy the Free and Gentle for delicate skin; buy the Hygienic Clean for tough, smelly, soiled loads.

  • Choose the Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods if you want the deepest clean on sweat, body soil and ground-in dirt, and no one in the house reacts to scented detergent.
  • Choose the Tide PODS Free and Gentle if anyone in the household has sensitive skin or you want unscented, hypoallergenic pods and a bigger tub.

Prices

  • Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods: $12.97 at Hy-Vee (last seen Nov 9)
  • Tide PODS Free and Gentle: $14.97 at Walmart (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods is $2.00 cheaper than the Tide PODS Free and Gentle at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Tide
Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods

Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods

4.8(3,049 ratings)
$12.97at Hy-VeeChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Hy-Vee
Pros
  • Strong on sweat, body soil and ground-in dirt
  • Dissolves in cold water
  • Very high owner rating
  • No measuring, drop-in pod
Cons
  • Scented, which some skin types dislike
  • Smaller tub than the Free and Gentle
  • Overkill for lightly worn clothes
Tide
Tide PODS Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent Pacs, Hypoallergenic, Unscented, 102 Count

Tide PODS Free and Gentle

Tide PODS Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent Pacs, Hypoallergenic, Unscented, 102 Count

$14.97at WalmartChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Unscented and hypoallergenic
  • Bigger tub, so fewer restocks
  • Gentle on sensitive skin
  • HE compatible and cold-water friendly
Cons
  • Weaker on heavy stains and odors
  • Not the choice for greasy work clothes
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge from

What separates them

Tide Hygienic Clean Power PodsTide PODS Free and Gentle
ScentOriginal fresh scentUnscented, fragrance-free
Skin sensitivityStandard scented formulaHypoallergenic, marketed for sensitive skin
Cleaning strengthHeavy-duty, designed to lift visible and invisible soil between fibersGentle everyday cleaning
Tub size57 pods102 pods
Cold water useWorks in any machine, including coldWorks in any machine, including cold
High efficiencyHE compatibleHE compatible
FormPre-dosed podPre-dosed pod
Owner rating4.8 out of 5 from about 3,000 ratingsWell rated, but with fewer ratings behind it

Price history

$89.78$12.97
Oct 30Nov 10
  • Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods: lowest $12.97 on Nov 9 at Walmart; $18.99 on Nov 10.
  • Tide PODS Free and Gentle: lowest $15.99 on Nov 9 at Target; $89.78 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $12.97Checked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • Hy-VeeNew

    In stock

    $12.97Checked Nov 9
    Visit Hy-Vee
  • CVS PharmacyNew

    Availability unknown

    $13.49Checked Nov 9
    Visit CVS Pharmacy
  • InstacartNew

    Availability unknown

    $15.49Checked Nov 9
    Visit Instacart

Also available at

  • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 6 stores and price history →

Tide PODS Free and Gentle

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $14.97+ $5.99 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by daluz6_83 (100% positive, 33 ratings)Ships from Argentina · duties may applyReturns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $23.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • TargetCheck price at Target

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All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecTide Hygienic Clean Power PodsTide PODS Free and Gentle
Count per pack5757
TypePodsPods
colorN/AOther
size63 ct57 ct
High EfficiencyYesYes
Cleanser formPacks—
Scent familyFresh—
Net content statement57 Count—
Number of loads57—
ScentOriginal—
FeaturesHeavy-Duty—
BrandTide—
Show all 21 specsShow fewer specs
SpecTide Hygienic Clean Power PodsTide PODS Free and Gentle
Product lineTide PODS Laundry Detergent—
volume_capacity—57
Container—Flask
Width (")—8.2
Form—Tablet
Quantity (pcs)—57
Height (")—7.9
Weight (lb)—3.3
For White Fabrics—Yes

What reviewers say

Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods

  • 4.8 / 53,049 ratings

Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 3,049 ratings, buyers mostly report a strong clean and easy dosing. Complaints center on cost per load and pods not always dissolving.

What people mention
  • Cleaning powerPraisedBuyers say it handles everyday dirt and sweat well.
  • ConveniencePraisedOwners like tossing a pod in without measuring.
  • DissolvingMixedSome report pods leaving residue, especially in cold or short cycles.
  • CostCriticisedReviewers say it costs more per load than liquid detergent.

Tide PODS Free and Gentle

Owners of sensitive skin generally praise the fragrance-free, dye-free formula for causing fewer reactions than scented detergents. Many say it cleans everyday laundry well and is convenient, while some complain about residue in cold washes and the higher cost per load.

What people mention
  • Skin sensitivityPraisedOwners with sensitive skin report fewer reactions than with scented detergents.
  • ScentPraisedReviewers like that it leaves no fragrance behind on clothes.
  • ResidueCriticisedSome users find the pac film does not fully dissolve in cold or short cycles.
  • ValueMixedShoppers say it is convenient but costs more per load than liquid detergent.

Questions and answers

Which is better for sensitive skin?
The Free and Gentle. It is unscented and hypoallergenic, while the Hygienic Clean carries a fresh scent that can irritate reactive skin.
Which cleans tough stains better?
The Hygienic Clean. It is built as a heavy-duty formula for body soil and hidden dirt, and owners rate it very highly for cleaning power.
Can both be used in cold water?
Yes. Both are HE compatible pods that Tide says dissolve in any machine, including cold cycles.
Is the Free and Gentle worth stepping up to?
If scent or skin reactions are a concern, yes. It trades some stain power for a gentler, fragrance-free wash and a larger tub.
Which lasts longer between purchases?
The Free and Gentle tub holds 102 pods against 57, so it covers more loads per tub.

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More comparisons

  • Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Pacs, Oxi Boost Power PODS with Stain Remover and Oxi Power vs Tide Hygienic Clean Power Pods
  • Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Pacs, Oxi Boost Power PODS with Stain Remover and Oxi Power vs Tide PODS Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent Pacs, Hypoallergenic, Unscented, 102 Count

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