Tide Pods and laundry Pods are basically an all in one detergent and fabric softener all made into the laundry pod that you just drop into the washing machine and don't have to measure detergent or fabric softener.
For a front load washing machine you just place the Laundry Pod in the back of the washing machine drum and then put the clothes into the washing machine drum and run it through a wash cycle like you normally would.
For a top loader washing machine you place the Tide Pods into the washing machine drum first and then add clothes and then run it through the wash cycle.
The Tide Laundry Pods are simply already measured detergent and fabric softener rolled into one.