I use Gain Flings pods. I noticed a color change in the pods. I have noticed this before with my dishwasher detergent pots, too. I contacted Proctor and Gamble about the color change. They told me to throw them away as they have lived their shelf life, that I must have had them for more than a year. I have not. Then they said they must have been on the shelf for close to that long? I explained that I had not seen an expiration date on the carton. They tell me that shelf life is not the same as expiration?? That In North America they are not required to put expiration dates on their package.

I buy it from Amazon's Subscribe and Save which is convenient for me in more ways than one. Sometimes Amazon puts the pods on sale and I will buy two cartons. But I have never had them for more than a few months on my shelf. I am thinking maybe vendors know when their stock "expires" or how long they are allowed to keep it in stock and so they put it on sale? We as consumers are not privy to this information and unknowingly buy nearly "Dead" detergent?.

And why do I need to toss it? That is a lot of money for 81+ pods, even on sale. Does the bacteria-killing chemical expire? Does it clean less effectively? I will not toss it out until I hear the reason. Until then, I will use an extra pod per load and continue to use my Lysol Laundry disinfectant. 

I would contact them and tell them they sold you old stuff. They will replace it. You are a GOOD customer and they are good about that stuff.. It's not acceptable! 

And why do I need to toss it? That is a lot of money for 81+ pods, even on sale. Does the bacteria-killing chemical expire? Does it clean less effectively? I will not toss it out until I hear the reason. Until then, I will use an extra pod per load and continue to use my Lysol Laundry disinfectant.?

SO, they won't tell you why the product needs to be tossed? I would say the pods are still good but maybe just a little less effective. Amazon should have to replace your items! 

Amazon is really good about returns. Call them- these these circumstances, I'll bet they'll replace them, and tell you to throw the old bag away- 

I understand you have to use those if you have one of the newer machines right? But you know those tablet things for dishwashers are really no good just like powdered detergent isn't any good here. The hard water can't dissolve the hard tablets properly. You really need liquid detergents with hard water. 

P&G has stopped communicating with me.

Love my Amazon. But Amazon is not as generous as they used to be about returns. If you change your mind you have to pay for return shipping. I might return this one as "defective". They used to let you keep the item instead of returning it. No more.

Pods are now an option for HE machines. Mine is HE but 15 years old. So is that "newer"? You can use liquid, powder, or pods as long as it is labeled "HE". HE needs less sudsing because it uses way less water. Or something?? Pods are 100% liquid...that has darkened in color from bright turquoise to sage color. All our dishwasher pods are liquid. 

I do not use the pods as the amount is pre-determined. Hate when they do that. Less clothes need less detergent. I do not roll around in dirt so feel they just want you to use more to need to buy more. 

Mutton, 1 pod is for one small load. You add more pods as needed. 

Pods will clog your drains. just sayin 

Don't ever be cheap and buy the Walmart pods. They are so weak you actually end up spending more. Stick with Tide,Gain, Persil, etc... 

Pods in particular do not clog pipes. Un-dissolved powder detergents clog pipes whether or not they are in a pod or your pour it into the dispenser yourself. I use liquid. 

You really need liquid detergents with hard water.

That isn't true, we have bought the tablets and had no issues and they clean much better than the liquid, if it were true tablets would never work where I come from in the UK since the water is MUCH harder than it is here, but the tablets are the most common format for dishwasher detergent.