How To Use Laundry Detergent Sheets

Detergent sheets (also called detergent strips) are a new arrival in the laundry market and are gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional liquid and powder detergents.

It’s hard to see how a small sheet can possibly match the power of a glug of concentrated liquid detergent. But, when it comes to detergent sheets, small is most definitely mighty.

As more people become aware of the chemicals in their home products, there’s a growing desire to look for alternatives.

This article explores the science behind laundry sheets, how to use them, and their advantages over regular wash-day products. Prepare to be amazed!

What Are Laundry Sheets?

Laundry detergent sheets are wafer-thin sheets with pre-measured soap that dissolve quickly in your washer at hot and cold temperatures. They feel like grainy paper but are soft and flexible.

The sheets are typically free of harmful chemicals often found in traditional liquid detergents, such as dyes, parabens, and brighteners. Their concentrated formula, released in water, offers cleaning results comparable to those of popular laundry detergents, even at low temperatures.

Thin and space-saving laundry detergent sheets are designed to reduce environmental impact through ingredients and packaging. Unlike traditional jug-based washing detergents, there’s less—or no—plastic waste to dispose of.

What’s particularly notable about laundry detergent sheets is their low-sudsing formula, which means they’re suitable for all types of washers, including high-efficiency machines. You can also use them for both front and top-loading washers. Laundry detergent sheets contain surfactants, the same powerful cleaning agents found in many household products.

Surfactants help lift dirt, grime, and grease from fabric and ensure cleaning enzymes remain suspended in the water for longer, boosting stain removal.

How Do You Use Laundry Detergent Sheets?

Load your Laundry

Load the laundry first—unless the instructions on your laundry sheets specifically say to put the laundry detergent sheet in before the washing. Manufacturers vary on which they prefer, so just follow the instructions on the packaging. Remember to separate your garments by fabric type and color before laundering.

Check the Instructions on the Packaging

You want to add the right amount of product for the load size and type. A medium wash would require one sheet, but two or three might be better for large loads.

Some detergent sheets are perforated, so you can tear them in half if you need to use less than one.

For heavily soiled clothes or delicates, you can presoak or handwash with laundry detergent sheets before putting garments in the washing machine.

Add the Laundry Sheet

Place the sheet inside the drum on top of the washing.

Start the Washer Program

The laundry sheets dissolve quickly in the drum, even at low temperatures.

For polyester and polyester mix garments, you’ll be able to choose a cool wash and still enjoy exceptional cleaning power.

When you remove the washing at the end of the cycle, there will be no residue on the clothing or the drum, just a lovely fresh smell.

Why Choose Laundry Sheets Over Traditional Detergent?

Some traditional liquid detergents are generally overused and not great for the environment because they contain harmful chemicals like dyes, parabens, and brighteners. However, there have been other concerns.

Liquid detergents are linked to a potential carcinogen called 1,4-Dioxane, which is classified as such by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In New York, the New York State Department of Conservation created a legal limit on the amount of this chemical that can be present in liquid detergent, effectively outlawing certain popular brands in 2022.

However, it’s not just what’s in regular laundry detergents; it’s also about their packaging and the use of a plastic jug to dispense them. Using too much liquid is another common problem because it’s easy to overdose or spill the liquid, creating a mess.

As the tide turns on traditional laundry detergents, a door has opened for new products that are low-sudsing, absent of harmful ingredients like dyes and parabens, and plastic-jug-free. Typically, laundry detergent sheets are packaged to reduce environmental impact.

Laundry sheets are pre-measured, which avoids the problem of using too much detergent for each load of washing, which is bad for the planet and your pocket. So, they’ll save you money, too. Compact and lightweight, laundry sheets are easy to take on short breaks and vacations.

What Should I Look for in Laundry Detergent Sheets?

• Products that contain surfactants and stain-removing enzymes like protease, lipase, and amylase in their formula which boost cleaning power
• Suitability for sensitive skin
• Absence of any harmful ingredients like dyes, brighteners and parabens
• Quick dissolve
• Fragrance and non-scented options
• Suitable for presoaking soiled laundry and handwashing
• Perforated for easy use
• Sustainable and recyclable packaging
• Price per load rather than price per pack working on an average of one sheet for a medium wash load
• Country of manufacture

At Freddie, we’re committed to helping the planet by empowering households to launder in a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious way.

Freddie laundry detergent sheets are made without ingredients like 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, or added dyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where To Put Detergent Sheets in a Washing Machine?

You can put detergent sheets in the machine before you load the dirty laundry or afterward. Manufacturers favor different systems, so read the packaging. For optimal cleaning results, make sure you use the right dose, which may mean tearing a sheet in half or adding more than one sheet.

Final Thoughts

As more people become aware of the ingredients in everyday household products, there is a move towards more sustainable laundry practices.

Detergent sheets are a revolution in household laundry, providing convenience, value for money, quality cleaning, and contributing to sustainable practices. They’re kinder to skin and may suit those who prefer formulas without added fragrances or dyes.

With detergent sheets, you can enjoy clothes and a washer free of residues. They’re a mess-free, space-saving option with no plastic jugs to dispose of. Make the right choice in your home laundry withFreddie detergent sheets, and enjoy clean, fresh-smelling clothes with all the comfort that you’re making environmentally responsible choices for your family and the planet.