Laundry detergent sheets are thin, pre-measured sheets of concentrated detergent that dissolve in the wash. As the drum fills, the sheet melts away and the detergent spreads through the water, so it cleans the same way liquid does. You put one in the drum with your clothes instead of pouring liquid or adding a pod. They're light and can't spill, and a pack of 60 is about the size of an envelope. That makes them handy in small homes and dorms, and for travel.
Some people call them laundry strips or washer sheets. Depending on the brand, they may look like dryer sheets and come in a similar cardboard package.
What laundry sheets are made of
A laundry sheet is detergent held in a thin film that dissolves in water. The film is usually polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the same material used in dishwasher and laundry pods. Surfactants do the cleaning. They grab onto dirt and oil and let the water carry them away.
HeySunday sheets use seven cleaning surfactants, with no phosphates, phthalates or dyes. This is the rest of what's in a sheet, from the full list on our product page:
- surfactants, including sodium dodecyl sulphate, to lift dirt and oil
- protease, an enzyme that breaks down protein stains like sweat, blood and food
- polyvinyl alcohol and corn starch, which form the sheet
- sunflower oil, tea oil, citric acid and glycerin
- fragrance, in Ocean Breeze only (Fragrance Free is the same formula without it)
There's no 1,4-dioxane, bleach or parabens either. The formula is biodegradable (OECD 301B).
How do laundry sheets work?
Image courtesy of Edmond Dantès via Pexels
As the drum fills, the sheet softens and dissolves, the detergent spreads through the water, and from there it cleans the same way liquid does. HeySunday sheets dissolve in hot or cold water and work in HE, top-loading and front-loading machines.
How many you use depends on the load. With HeySunday sheets it's 1 sheet for a small load (drum about a quarter full), 2 for a medium load (about three quarters full) and 3 for a large load, plus 1 extra sheet if the load is heavily soiled. Sheet sizes vary between brands, so with another brand, follow its pack. Our guide to how to use laundry detergent sheets has the full steps.
A very short cycle like hand wash may not give a whole sheet time to dissolve. For those, tear it into small pieces and scatter them over the laundry.
Sheets vs liquid, pods and powder
| Sheets | Liquid | Pods | Powder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring | Pre-measured | Poured by eye | Pre-measured | Scooped by eye |
| Can it spill or leak? | No | Yes | Pods can burst if wet | Yes |
| Packaging | Usually a paper envelope or box | Usually a plastic jug | Usually a plastic tub or bag | Usually a cardboard box |
| Storage space | Fits in a drawer | Needs a shelf | Needs a shelf | Needs a shelf, kept dry |
| Pretreating stains | Dissolve a sheet in water | Rub straight onto the stain | Not practical | Make a paste |
| Travel | Easy, weighs next to nothing | Heavy, can leak | Bulky | Messy |
Each format has its own guide: sheets vs liquid, sheets vs pods and sheets vs powder.
Why people switch to sheets
No jug to carry
A 60-sheet pack weighs about 6.5 ounces and arrives in the mail. Judy, one of our customers, wrote: "I'm 80 years old, and lugging laundry bottles is a chore."
No measuring and no mess
Pouring from a big jug of liquid detergent gets messy. Spills and over-measuring waste detergent and money, and the extra doesn't get clothes cleaner. It can leave residue in the fabric. A sheet has nothing to drip down the side of the bottle or crust onto the cap.
Small spaces and travel
A pack slides into a drawer, which helps in apartments, dorms and laundry closets with no shelf.
For trips, a few sheets in a zip bag go in a suitcase with no risk of leaking. They're light, liquid-free and TSA-compliant. Keep them dry, though, as damp sheets start to dissolve. Adriane, a customer, says they're "so easy to throw in a bag and bring with you".
Gentler on skin
Laundry detergent sheets are a good alternative if you're prone to allergies or have sensitive skin. Many are made without harsh chemicals, dyes or bleaches, which are common irritants in traditional detergents. Always check the ingredient list for anything you know you react to.
Less plastic
Traditional liquid detergent jugs use a lot of plastic and often end up in landfills. Most sheets come in paper or cardboard. HeySunday sheets ship in a flat, plastic-free envelope.
Do laundry sheets clean well?
Yes. A well-made sheet cleans as well as a well-made liquid. Both rely on the same kinds of surfactants and enzymes. The result comes down to the formula, the dose, your water temperature and how hard your water is, and we go through each of those in do laundry detergent sheets work?
Roxann, one of our customers, wrote that "these laundry sheets clean the smell out of a factory workers grimy uniform."
Trying HeySunday sheets
One pack is enough to see how sheets fit your week. HeySunday comes in Ocean Breeze or Fragrance Free. 60 sheets are $15 on a 30-day subscription (40% off the $25 one-time price) with free shipping, and your first order has a money-back guarantee. Most people start with 1 pack every 30 days, then move it to every 60 or 90 days once they know how fast they go through one. Over 280,000 customers have ordered, and the sheets are rated 4.7 from 5,800+ ratings.
Shop HeySunday laundry sheets, or see where to buy laundry detergent sheets.
Frequently asked questions
How do laundry sheets work?
A laundry sheet is concentrated detergent held in a thin film. As the drum fills, the film dissolves and the detergent spreads through the water. Surfactants lift dirt and oil, and the protease enzyme breaks down protein stains like sweat and food, the same way liquid detergent cleans.
Are laundry detergent sheets the same as dryer sheets?
No. Detergent sheets go in the washer and dissolve to clean your clothes. Dryer sheets go in the dryer, don't dissolve, and coat fabric with softener to cut static. They can look alike in the box, so check the pack before the first load.
Why is there a white mark on my clothes after using a sheet?
The sheet didn't fully dissolve. That happens when the drum is packed tight, or when the sheet sits on top of the clothes on a short cycle. Load the clothes, leaving room for them to move, then lay the sheet on top, and tear it up for quick or hand wash cycles. Rewash the item and the mark comes out.
Are laundry sheets better than liquid?
For storage, weight and mess, yes. Liquid is easier to dose in small amounts: you can pour a little for a few items, while a sheet is a fixed dose unless you tear it.
Do laundry sheets expire?
They don't expire quickly. Moisture is what ruins them, since a damp sheet starts to dissolve and sticks to the others. Keep the pack closed in a dry drawer rather than on top of the washer. Our guide on whether laundry detergent expires covers liquid and powder too.
What are laundry sheets used for?
Machine washing, in place of liquid, powder or pods, including in HE machines. Being light and pre-measured, they also work for hand washing in a sink, pre-soaking stains in a bucket, and doing laundry while camping.
