Who enjoys hauling a heavy bottle of laundry detergent while grocery shopping or adding it to their laundry? We sure don’t, and surely, neither do you. That’s why laundry sheets are perhaps among the best clothing-cleaning innovations in years.
They are lightweight – carrying them around is easy. They’re also pre-measured and concentrated, eliminating the need for a measuring cup. What’s more, they don’t leave residues on clothes because they dissolve well in water, ensuring you have a clean, fresh laundry every time.
Of course, no matter how good these laundry sheets look based on our descriptions, we know you’re wondering how they stack up against conventional detergents regarding performance and sustainability. That’s why we scoured the Internet for customer laundry sheets reviews to bring you 9 of the best products available today.
We’ll also provide brief information about laundry detergent sheets and how they work and give you tips to get the most out of these products.
What are Laundry Sheets, and How Do They Work?
As their name suggests, laundry detergent sheets are concentrated detergents in postcard-sized sheet form. Also referred to as laundry sheets or detergent strips, these products incorporate technologies that release stain-removing ingredients when they dissolve during a wash cycle.
The ingredients in a laundry sheet work the same as conventional detergents in removing dirt and stains on clothes. The only difference is that each sheet contains a pre-measured amount of detergent that’s good for a load of laundry, ensuring that you use the right amount every time. They’re also compatible with most types of washing machines, including high-efficiency (HE) models, and are usable on different fabrics without affecting their color and quality.
Are Laundry Sheets Better for the Environment Than Conventional Detergents?
Yes, laundry sheets are generally considered better for the environment than conventional liquid or powder detergents.
The main reason for this is that many of the ingredients in conventional laundry detergents are dangerous to natural ecosystems. Phosphates, in particular, cause excessive plant and algae growth when they enter water bodies. Such increased growth depletes the oxygen in water, reducing essential marine habitats and killing their inhabitants.
Prolonged exposure to other laundry detergent ingredients, like fragrance, dyes, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES), chlorine bleach, optical brighteners or optical brightening agents (OBAs), and 1,4-Dioxane, has also been identified to pose various health risks to humans. These include skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, hormonal imbalance, and even cancer.
However, the ingredients are not the only reason that conventional laundry detergents are unsustainable. Their packaging is to blame as well. Most of these products are sold in plastic jugs or packages, only a few of which are recyclable. Even the popular detergent pods release polyvinyl alcohol (PVA and PVOH), a type of plastic, into the environment, contributing to the issue of toxic microplastics.
So, how are laundry sheets better for the environment than their conventional counterparts?
- Many laundry sheets are wrapped in biodegradable or recyclable materials, ensuring they don’t contribute to waste pollution when discarded.
- Most of them are made from plant-based ingredients and contain little to no harsh chemicals, so they don’t disturb the ecosystem when released into the environment.
- Due to their minimal liquid handling during production, laundry sheets have less energy and water footprint than traditional detergents. They also do not require more water for dilution.
What are the Best Laundry Sheets?
1. Hey Sunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Hey Sunday Laundry Detergent Sheets are hands down our top pick–and for many customers, too–thanks to their affordability and eco-friendly cleaning power.
The sheets will only cost you around $0.23 per load. But don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re not as effective as regular laundry detergents because they are, if not better.
Their predominantly plant-based ingredients make them hypoallergenic and effective in removing tough dirt and stains. Since they’re free from toxic chemicals, they ensure a totally clean laundry that doesn’t hurt the environment. They dissolve completely in either hot or cold water, meaning no residue on your clothes and washing machine.
We also like that they’re already pre-measured and cut. So, measuring, pouring, and spilling are the last things you need to worry about. They’re also easy to carry around, making them a great choice if you’re traveling or doing your laundry in a laundromat.
Perhaps the only issue we have about this laundry sheet brand is that it has Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and PVA, which other people may have sensitivities with. However, these ingredients passed the OECD-301B standards, making them readily biodegradable.
2. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets is one of the top-performing laundry sheet options for white and colored garments. At only $0.33 per load or $0.20 with a subscription, we’re not surprised that it has received thousands of glowing reviews from satisfied users.
A box of this product contains 30 sheets, each of which can wash a medium load. Its hypoallergenic formula uses eco-friendly ingredients and is free from animal by-products and toxic chemicals, making it suitable for vegans and individuals with skin sensitivities. We also love that the brand donates 10 loads of detergent to different causes with every purchase of Earth Breeze products.
Based on customer reviews across multiple e-commerce platforms, Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets work well at removing fresh stains. Some reviewers noted, however, that they could use an additional stain remover for more soiled clothes.
3. Tru Earth Eco Strips Laundry Detergent
With a tagline, “small strip, big impact,” Tru Earth Eco Strips Laundry Detergent definitely packs a lot of punch for a compact laundry product.
Each strip is powerful enough to clean a small load and rid clothes of stains and odors. The sheets are free of harmful chemicals and animal-based ingredients and are packaged in a 100% recyclable cardboard box that doesn’t take up much space in your cabinet or bag. There are also several scents to choose from, with the lilac breeze being a crowd favorite. For those with smell sensitivities, the fragrance-free version is a good choice.
Thanks to all those qualities, Tru Earth Eco Strips Laundry Detergent turned from being a travel laundry soap sheet into a favorite everyday alternative to bulky, messy traditional liquid detergents. But we’d like to note that this product is at the mid-price point, which may make you think twice about choosing this brand if you’re looking for the best value option.
4. Sheets Laundry Club Laundry Detergent Sheets
Sheets Laundry Club Laundry Detergent Sheets keeps things simple with less than 10 ingredients that are all sustainably sourced. It also offers good value at $0.40 per load, although we’re not convinced that a 50-sheet box can cover up to 100 loads. We think 50-60 is more realistic, especially with most households washing medium loads.
Each concentrated sheet deeply penetrates into and between fibers when completely dissolved, helping remove nasties on less visible parts of clothes. Also, don’t be surprised if your clothes don’t come out with a scent, even if you purchase the fresh linen variety.
According to the brand, its patent and proprietary technology makes the sheets completely water soluble. As a result, much of the detergent is completely absorbed by clothes, and the remaining suds are rinsed together with dirt and dead skin cells. So, if you prefer your clothes to have that super fresh scent out of the washer, you might not find this product to your liking.
5. Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets
Staying true to its name, Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets has a short ingredient list that’s kind to people and the planet. It combines potent plant-based substances and enzymes that work together to lift stains without ruining garments.
Many customer reviews vouch for this product’s cleaning power, noting that it has the strength and smell of liquid detergents and pods. But, some say it’s not that great at washing whites, so you need to consider this, especially if you often wash white clothing or linens. You might find that using a supplementary whitening agent may be necessary to achieve your desired level of whiteness for some of your garments.
Still, these laundry detergent sheets are reasonably priced at $0.33 per load for a one-time purchase. If you want to get more discounts, free shipping, and the option to buy in bulk, you need to subscribe to the brand.
6. Beyond Laundry Detergent Strips
Beyond Laundry Detergent Strips is a great choice for those with sensitive skin. This USDA-certified biobased product covers all the basics, such as having plant-based ingredients and being free from harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach, dyes, phosphates, and parabens. It also comes in compostable packaging that fits well in a pocket and weighs next to nothing.
There are mixed reviews about this detergent’s value, with some mentioning it’s cost-effective and others saying it’s pricier than similar products. But, it’s been praised for its ability to remove stains and improve the reflectance of clothes. We also like that it can be used for hand-washing garments, making it an excellent pick for your next travel adventure.
7. EC30 Laundry Detergent Swatches
EC30 Laundry Detergent Swatches don’t look like your regular laundry sheets or strips, as they come as square packs. However, they work the same, and many reviews even pointed out that they’re comparable to leading detergents regarding removing set-in stains. Such power can be credited to the enzymes and odor-fighting ingredients of the product, which are derived from plants.
Although a swatch is good for cleaning small loads and two for bigger ones, it’s kind of tricky to decide how many should be used for a medium load. Also, it’s one of the most expensive laundry sheet products at around $29.00 for a one-time purchase, which is equivalent to about $0.97 for a load.
EC30 Laundry Detergent Swatches makeup for those drawbacks by taking their eco-friendliness a notch higher. With every purchase of a trial kit, which includes the detergent swatches, the brand donates a tree to the Arbor Day Foundation, helping support tree planting efforts in a nature preserve in Florida.
8. Spacewhite® Stain & Odour Laundry Sheets
Coconut must be the most useful tree in the world. It’s been used to make various products, from milk and sugar to butter and oil. You can also add laundry detergents to that ever-expanding list, and Spacewhite’s Stain & Odour Laundry Sheets is a good example of this.
These coconut-derived sheets have tough cleaning power that helps reveal your clothes vibrant colors while being gentle on the skin. They’re free from many nasty chemicals and are housed in plastic-free, compostable packaging that takes less space.
This product is priced similarly to Earth Breeze’s and Kind Laundry’s detergent sheets at $0.33 per load. While the brand offers a subscription discount, it only applies to your first order. You’ll need to pay the full price for your subsequent subscriptions, which can get expensive over time.
9. Arm & Hammer Power Sheets
If you’re not yet ready to try laundry sheets from new-name brands, check out Arm & Hammer Power Sheets. Created by the brand that popularized baking soda-based household and personal care products, these sheets are as powerful as Arm and Hammer’s traditional liquid detergents in all wash temperatures. That has helped this product earn thousands of positive ratings from customers, who also loved its scent, freshness, hypoallergenic properties, and compact size.
The brand touts that a 50-count Arm & Hammer Power Sheets box can clean up to 100 small or 50 medium loads. For that amount, we think that the $0.30 per medium load cost is definitely economical. If there’s one thing the product should improve on, it’s the dissolvability. Many reviewers noted that the detergent won’t dissolve completely and quickly.
Getting the Most From Laundry Sheets and Making Your Laundry Habits Eco-Friendlier
If you’re already using any of the laundry detergent sheets we mentioned above, there are several things you can do to maximize their effectiveness and also make your laundry habits greener.
- Follow the instructions. To ensure a perfect load each time and avoid using multiple sheets at a time, follow the recommended usage instructions on the packaging.
- Wash in cold water. Most laundry sheets dissolve in hot or cold water, but we highly recommend using the latter to enjoy more energy savings. The American Cleaning Institute says that about 90% of the energy consumed by washing machines goes towards heating water.
- Spot-clean garments. Targeted treatment of stains is sometimes the best option to keep garments clean while bypassing a complete wash cycle.
- Air dry clothes when possible. You can avoid using your dryer frequently by line-drying your clothes, especially when the sun’s out.
- Reuse greywater. Your washing machine is one of the best sources of greywater (specifically from the final rinse cycle) that can be reused to water your garden, flush toilets, or clean floors. You can collect water using a bucket or install a greywater system if you intend to adopt this eco-conscious practice fully.
Wrapping Up
We’re noticing an increasing number of laundry detergent sheets entering the scene, so you’ll surely have more choices in the future on top of the ones we’ve outlined above.
We’d also like to point out that not all laundry detergent sheets are created equal. Although some manufacturers indicate their products as eco-friendly, we still see a lot of detergent sheets containing toxic chemicals that are made unsustainably. So, ensure to practice caution as you shop around, and keep these tips in mind:
- Carefully read labels to determine if the ingredients are safe for you, your family, and the environment.
- Opting for products wrapped in recyclable or biodegradable materials ensures that they won’t contribute to waste pollution when they’re discarded.
- Consider going for laundry sheet brands that follow sustainable manufacturing practices.
- Read reviews to verify the quality and overall performance of a laundry detergent sheet.
