Tide PODS vs pre-treat stain sticks: PODS win for daily laundry, but set-in stains need backup

Tide PODS are brainless and perfect for daily loads — no measuring, no drips, just toss and go. But they can’t touch set-in stains like dried spaghetti sauce; that needs a pre-treat dab rubbed in before washing. For gym clothes and towels, go pods; for heirloom stains, keep a stain stick handy.