Whether you’re the type of person who looks forward to laundry day or someone who waits until they can’t possibly fit another item in their hamper, we can all agree that using the best laundry care can make the chore a whole lot more enjoyable. From fabric softeners to color catchers, there are a lot of products that promise to make your clothes whiter, softer and all-around cleaner. So what’s the deal with laundry detergent sheets?
“Laundry detergent sheets work by dissolving in water to release concentrated cleaning agents that break down dirt, stains and odors from your clothes,” says Zachary Pozniak, vice president of operations for Jeeves, a New York City- and London-based dry cleaner. The biodegradable sheets do the same dirty work as traditional liquid or powder detergents — but you might be wondering about their efficiency.
While laundry sheets should do the trick for light loads, they may not be the best option for heavy loads of laundry or set-in stains. Shop TODAY chatted with two laundry experts to understand how laundry detergent sheets work and if they're the best product to reach for on laundry day.
Best liquid laundry detergent$undefined$12.75
Expert- and editor-approved$undefined$14.89
Do laundry detergent sheets really work?
Laundry detergent sheets make big claims about their ability to clean your clothes as well as traditional liquid detergents, along with touting some eco-friendly properties. But is it too good to be true?
"For most everyday laundry needs, detergent sheets are as effective as liquid detergent. They contain surfactants and enzymes similar to those in liquid formulas," says Rechelle Balanzat, the CEO and founder of Juliette, a full-service laundry cleaner based in New York City.
Pozniak adds that laundry detergent sheets are lightweight, easy to use and affordable. They're a good option for people who go to a laundromat or like to do a load of laundry while traveling. Plus, since they don't contain any liquid, they're also TSA-approved. However, they do have some limitations.
"Some detergent sheets may lack the same level of deep-cleaning power as high-performance liquid detergents, especially for heavily-soiled clothes, tough grease stains or specific fabric care needs," says Balanzat.
Pozniak says that he’s tested nearly every brand of laundry detergent sheets — and all have performed below average, based on the testing criteria outlined by the AISE (International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products).
How to use laundry detergent sheets
This liquid detergent alternative resembles a dryer sheet, but acts like traditional detergent to freshen and clean your dirty laundry. They can be used in all types of washing machines, including high-efficiency (HE) washers.
If you want to try washing a load of dirty laundry with laundry detergent sheets, here's what to do:
- Load your clothes or dirty laundry in the drum of your washing machine.
- Place one laundry sheet directly on top of your dirty laundry. “Placing it on top helps it dissolve more evenly during the wash cycle, especially with front-load washers where water enters from the back and top,” says Balanzat. Detergent sheets may also be placed in the detergent slot. For heavier loads, use two sheets. For smaller loads or items that aren’t heavily soiled, you may be able to use just half of a sheet.
- Adjust the settings on your machine according to what you’re washing and start the cleaning process.
Like any laundry product, it's important to note that detergent sheets will have varied results. Balanzat also notes that some septic systems may be sensitive to certain surfactants, so it's best to opt for biodegradable formulas.
Best laundry detergent sheets, according to editors and experts
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Free from dyes and fragrances
- TSA-friendly
- May not work on tough stains
Number in package: 32 | Cost per sheet: $0.47
If you're looking for dependable, expert-approved laundry detergent sheets, Pozniak recommends sticking to "well-established brands like Seventh Generation."
Associate editor Kamari Stewart is also a fan of these sheets. "I used them mostly for convenience but was sold on their effectiveness when I washed a white pillowcase that had a makeup stain setting in for a week and it came out completely clean," she says.
Ecos Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Free from dyes and phthalates
- Plastic-free packaging
- Liquid-free for easy travel
- May leave residue on clothing
- May not work on tough stains
Number in package: 64 | Cost per sheet: $0.25
This is Balanzat's pick for user-friendly laundry detergent sheets. They're great for users who are sensitive to strong fragrances and are an eco-friendly choice to boot.
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Free from harsh fragrances
- Travel-friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Limited customer reviews
Number in package: 30 | Cost per sheet: $0.60
"I swear by this brand's stain remover, so when I heard about this new launch I was super intrigued!" says Shop TODAY production associate Audrey Ekman. "I love that you can throw them right in the drum and skip the mess of liquid detergent. Plus, they come with perforations on each sheet so you can easily use [as much as you need]. They're lightweight and compact, which makes them great for folks who don't have laundry in-unit, too!"
More editor-favorite laundry products
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Free of harsh dyes
- Fragrance-free
- Easy to use
- Plastic packaging
- Difficult to travel with
Size: 84 fluid ounces
This detergent is a favorite of Shop TODAY associate editor Allie Wise, as it is free of dyes and perfumes. “I have a very sensitive sense of smell and can’t stand when a detergent is overpowering,” she says. “I also have extremely sensitive skin and this keeps my clothes ultra soft and my skin from itching.”
all Free Clear Mighty Pacs
- Doesn't irritate skin
- Free from strong fragrances
- Can be used with HE machines
- Includes plastic packaging
Amount in package: 60 | Cost per pod: $0.27
“My mom has been using this laundry detergent since I can remember,” says Shop TODAY associate editor Sierra Hoeger. “Our family is very active and this detergent was good at preventing/getting rid of odor in sports uniforms, stopping ‘strawberry bumps’ on our arms and legs and keeps us from feeling itchy or having irritated skin.”
Snif Old Money Scent Booster
- A little goes a long way
- Luxurious scent
- Cap may leak
Size: 8.5 ounces
“Want your laundry to smell expensive? This is the stuff,” says Ekman. “It turns a chore into something that I actually look forward to, thanks to the luxurious smell that it gives not only my clothes but my whole home on laundry day. I’ve used it paired with the brand’s laundry detergent in the same scent for boosted fragrance, but it also works well with any generic detergent to instantly elevate the experience.”
Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets
- Plastic-free product
- Free from dyes and bleach
- Easy to use
- May not be effective on stains
- Tablets may break in package
Number in package: 60 | Cost per tablet: $0.50
I am a huge fan of Blueland's cleaning products, including these easy-to-use laundry tablets. Pop one to two in your washing machine — depending on the size of your load — and let them take care of the rest.
DedCool Dedtergent Milk
- Clean formula
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Unique fragrance
- Measuring cap not included
Size: 32 ounces
"If you're someone who doesn't want your laundry to smell like your average detergent, this is the stuff for you. It smells more like perfume in my opinion, which makes sense given that the brand is known for their ultra-cool fragrances," says Ekman. "I love that it has clean ingredients that don't irritate my skin, but it also has an amazing scent that lasts long after the load is done."
Sammart Collapsible Laundry Basket
- Made with BPA-free plastic
- Great for small spaces
- Easy to store
- May not work with large loads
Colors: 16
Shop TODAY editors (including myself) swear by this small space-friendly laundry basket that collapses into itself for easy storage. Stock up on a few so you can sort your whites and colors with ease.
How we chose
Shop TODAY interviewed experts about efficacy of laundry detergent sheets. Based on the guidance they provided, we shared some of the ones that take up residence in our laundry rooms, alongside other affordable and highly-rated products to help make chore day easier.
Meet the experts
- Zachary Pozniak is the co-author of "The Laundry Book: A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens" and vice president of operations for Jeeves, a New York City- and London-based dry cleaner.
- Rechelle Balanzat is the CEO and founder of Juliette, a full-service laundry cleaner based in New York City.
