Laundry Detergent Sheets: The Best Cheap Laundry Detergent Option Without Sacrificing Cleanliness

When we firmed up plans for a big summer trip a couple of years ago, my family and I agreed that we needed to start saving if we expected to have any fun on our trip. So, I figured it was time to take a closer look at our household expenses to see where we could save. I started meal-prepping to cut back on food waste, DIY’d some cleaning supplies, and even swapped out disposable mop pads for reusable ones. But the real surprise on where we were able to significantly cut back on costs was laundry.  

At the time, I had no idea how much we were spending just to keep our clothes clean. With a full household, those costs add up fast. So, I started wondering: could I save money without giving up the quality clean, fresh clothes I was used to?  

Here’s the thing—I’ve always been a bit of a price tag snob. If it costs more, it must work better, right? Turns out, not always. After testing a bunch of budget-friendly detergents, I learned it’s not about the price—it’s about the type of detergent you use.  

That’s when I discovered laundry detergent sheets. Game. Changer. These little sheets made laundry easier, cheaper, and just as effective (if not better) than the pricey liquid detergents. Plus, they’re compact, mess-free, and eco-friendly.  

If you’re thinking, “Yeah, but do laundry sheets really work?” I get it—I was skeptical, too. But trust me, they’re worth trying. 

Keep reading to find out why detergent sheets are my new laundry go-to and how they can help you save some serious cash.  

Got a laundry hack that saves money? Share it in the comments—I’m all ears! 

How Much Does a Load of Laundry Cost?

First things first: how much does a load of laundry cost? To understand how laundry detergent sheets can save you money, I want to break down the cost per load. To determine how much a load of laundry costs for you, consider the costs of water, energy, and detergent.

These factors differ widely, depending on where in the country you live, your home’s energy efficiency, and the type of washing machine you use. I recommend ballparking this number and not fretting too much over it since the laundry detergent prices have an even bigger impact on your cost per load.

Traditional liquid laundry detergent costs vary widely. For name-brand formulas, you’re likely going to pay more than $1 per load. If you’re like me and doing laundry around the clock for your family, then this adds up fast! Of course, with budget-friendly liquid laundry detergents, you can find deals that bring the cost per load to as low as $0.20. Powder detergent follows a similar price pattern, making it comparable to liquid laundry detergent. 

Laundry detergent sheets offer a different story. On average, detergent sheets cost $0.20 to $0.30 per load, depending on the brand you go for. Personally, I use HeySunday detergent sheets. With the subscription discount, I pay $15 for 60 sheets, bringing the cost of detergent to $0.25 per load. A sweet little deal!

Affordable vs. Expensive Laundry Detergent: Is There Really a Difference?

A high price tag doesn’t necessarily equal a better product. When looking at an expensive laundry detergent in comparison to a cheap laundry detergent, it’s important to think about the ingredients in the formula as opposed to the price. Additionally, a more expensive detergent may be produced by a name brand, so know that you may be paying extra for the brand name.

What I like about laundry detergent sheets is that the formulas are fairly simple and the packaging is light. HeySunday laundry sheets, for example, have a simple ingredient list with very few fillers. The enzyme-based cleaning formula is still tough on stains and odors, ensuring you get the quality clean you’re used to. That, plus the simple, eco-friendly packaging, makes them cheaper to manufacture and better for your budget.

The Best Value Laundry Detergents to Consider

When looking for the best laundry detergent on a budget, I encourage you to look for one that is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and has a concentrated formula. These factors ensure you are getting a product that doesn't skimp on cleaning power, giving you the best bang for your buck.

After much research and testing, here is my list of the best cheap laundry detergents to consider.

HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets 

• 60 sheets for $15 with a subscription
• Pros: Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic, effective cleaning power and tough on stains, excellent cost per load ($0.25 per load)
• Cons: Only available on HeySunday’s website

The HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are my go-to. Available in two scent options (ocean breeze or unscented), they leave my clothes feeling fresh and clean. I’ve even put some coffee-stained tops in the wash with one of these detergent sheets, and everything emerged looking like new.

My favorite part of these laundry detergent sheets is that they’re easy to use since there is no measuring required. I highly recommend the laundry detergent sheets from HeySunday if you’re looking for an effective, budget-friendly option.

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent

• 105 fluid ounces for $10 (105 loads)
• Pros: Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin; lowest cost per load on this list ($0.10 per load)
• Cons: Sometimes clothes come out needing a second wash

Arm & Hammer makes consistently reliable products, with their liquid laundry detergent for sensitive skin being no exception! At nearly $10 for the 105-fl oz jug (which provides enough detergent for 105 loads), this detergent rings in at $0.10 per load.

My biggest qualm with this product, though, is that heavily soiled clothes may need a second wash. In addition, product reviews of this detergent have noted an unpleasant odor left by the Arm & Hammer brand. So, if you and your family are prone to stains or are noticing a bad odor with this product, I recommend opting for another laundry detergent instead.

Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent

• 45 ounces for $10
• Pros: Leaves clothes smelling fresh and clean; good cost per load ($0.33 per load)
• Cons: Not great at cleaning stains; can be messy to measure

I grew up with my mom using Gain laundry detergent religiously. And for good reason! Their budget-friendly Original Powder Laundry Detergent is a great choice for anyone looking to cut laundry expenses and get their clothes smelling amazing.

However, the powder formula can be messy to measure, and as with liquid detergent, precise measuring is necessary in order to get your clothes thoroughly washed. Another con is that this formula doesn’t remove tough stains. It can help fade them, but you may have to pre-treat the spot with stain remover before washing. 

Tide Pods Laundry Detergent

• 76 pods for $20
• Pros: Premeasured and easy to use; effective at cleaning heavily soiled clothes; a wide range of scents
• Cons: Not eco-friendly due to plastic wrapping; bulky packaging can be difficult to store; more expense compared to other budget laundry detergents

Tide Pods Laundry Detergent is a popular brand that we’re all likely familiar with. The pre-measured formula makes them a breeze to use. Plus, at $0.26 per load, this detergent is great at getting out stubborn stains and leaving clothes smelling and looking clean.

My biggest gripe with these pods is the amount of plastic packaging. Sometimes, I have found that the plastic wrapping of the pod doesn’t fully disintegrate in the wash, leaving my clothes with some sticky plastic residue. Plus, the bulky storage container can be difficult to store and only adds to the amount of plastic used. If you’re looking for eco-friendly laundry detergent options, I recommend skipping pod formulas altogether.

How Laundry Detergent Sheets Could Save You Money

Laundry detergent sheets were a game changer for me and my family because they halved our laundry expenses. First, I love that the cost per load is, on average, lower than your traditional liquid or powder laundry detergents. Since I only pay $0.25 per load on average, I no longer feel guilty about how much laundry I do!

The second thing I love about laundry detergent sheets is that they are precisely measured, so I know I’m never wasting precious formula. Personally, my type A personality was always stressed about over- or under-measuring my liquid detergent. Laundry sheets have removed this guesswork and have made it so that I’m never overusing (and, in effect, wasting) detergent. 

A final thing I love about laundry detergent sheets is that they take up little to no space in my laundry room. Though this is not a price-related perk, it brings me joy to have extra space on my shelves! Their minimal packaging is what makes laundry detergent sheets less expensive than their bulkier counterparts. 

Conclusion: Finding the Best Cheap Laundry Detergent for Your Needs

I firmly believe that laundry detergent doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective. What matters is that you use a detergent with a simple yet powerful list of ingredients. I am a laundry detergent sheets convert as it is the best budget-friendly option, provides strong cleaning power, and is more sustainable compared to other detergent options. Try HeySunday laundry sheets for yourself to see what all the fuss is about!