Laundry Detergent Sheets vs. Liquid Laundry Detergent: Which Cleans Better?

Posted By: Meredith Marshall

Posted On: 11/19/2025

What Are Laundry Detergent Sheets?

Designed to replace traditional liquid laundry detergent, laundry detergent sheets are paper strips of pre-measured, ultra-concentrated laundry detergent. When the sheet comes into contact with water, it dissolves and releases laundry detergent throughout the load.

A thin, light, and mess-free liquid detergent alternative, laundry detergent sheets are packaged in space-efficient, recyclable cardboard, so they’re planet- and travel-friendly.

Do Laundry Detergent Sheets Actually Work?

While laundry sheets can certainly handle a light batch of laundry, laundry sheets have been proven ineffective at cleaning heavier or dirtier loads. In a Consumer Reports study, when similar loads were washed side by side, laundry detergent sheets’ performance was far below both laundry pods and liquid laundry detergents

The test also found that clothes with set-in stains or odors required multiple cycles with laundry detergent sheets to remove spots and smells.

Signs Laundry Detergent Sheets Aren’t Cleaning Your Clothes

If you’ve recently switched from liquid laundry detergent to laundry detergent sheets and noticed stiffer clothes and less-than-fresh scents, you’re not alone. Here are other signs that your laundry detergent sheets may not be effectively cleaning your clothes as well as liquid detergent.

Lingering odors
Tacky texture
Oily residue
Unwashed stains
Irritated skin conditions

Does Liquid Laundry Detergent Really Clean Clothes Better Than Laundry Sheets?

The short answer? Yes. While not all liquid laundry detergents are equally powerful, they’ve been proven to provide the most effective cleaning for clothing.

Unlike laundry detergent sheets, liquid laundry detergent dissolves easily at all temperatures and reduces hard-water deposits. Liquid formulas are also proven to be especially effective in emulsifying grease and oil stains since the laundry detergent can penetrate deep into fibers during each wash.

Make the Switch to Truly Free Home Laundry Detergent Today

Liquid laundry detergent may clean clothing better than laundry detergent sheets, but the brands you’ll find on store shelves come with drawbacks. (Read: harsh laundry detergent residue, toxic chemicals and fragrances, and other sketchy ingredients.

So if you’re searching for a more sustainable, toxin-free laundry detergent, Truly Free Home Laundry Wash is the answer.

Our Laundry Wash formula removes even the toughest stains and odors, while remaining gentle enough to keep your family’s skin and fabrics happy. Free from dyes, toxic fragrances, and harsh surfactants, Truly Free Home Laundry Wash is a laundry room must-have.

Plus, our refill system ensures you don’t add to the never-ending cycle of plastic laundry detergent bottles ending up in landfills. Your first order includes a reusable Forever Jug and recyclable fill pouches that you can reorder when you run out.

You’re not the only one who’s been sold on the myth of laundry detergent sheets. Switch to Truly Free Home Laundry Wash and notice the difference a non-toxic clean can make.