Laundry Detergent Sheets Leaving Clothes Dirty? Try This Instead

What are Laundry Detergent Sheets?

Laundry detergent sheets are thin strips, similar in look to dryer sheets, designed to replace liquid and powder laundry detergents. Instead of measuring or pouring, you just toss one in the washer with your clothes and let it dissolve.

It’s easy to see the appeal. Laundry detergent sheets are space-efficient, travel-friendly, and less messy. Some are also free from dyes, toxic fragrances, or plastic packaging. But while they sound sustainable, many laundry detergent sheets aren’t as effective (or as green) as they claim.

The Problem with Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry detergent sheets are marketed as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional detergent, but there are some red flags worth knowing.

Laundry Detergent Sheets Don’t Clean as Well as Liquid Detergents

Laundry detergent sheets may do an okay job for lightly worn clothes, but they struggle with larger or dirtier loads. Independent testing reports found that some laundry detergent sheets clean about as effectively as plain water. That means oils, odors, and stains aren’t being washed as well as they should, forcing you to rewash and waste water, energy, and time. 

Laundry Detergent Sheets Can Leave Residue on Your Clothes

If freshly washed clothes start to feel tacky or have a strange odor, it might not be because you need to clean your washing machine. Some laundry detergent sheets leave a thin film of undissolved polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that dulls fabrics and irritates skin. In fact, one common complaint about laundry detergent sheets is that the sheets don’t fully dissolve as advertised.

Some Laundry Detergent Sheets Contain Plastic and Harsh Chemicals

Many laundry sheets are made with PVA—a water-soluble plastic that’s marketed as biodegradable. But that claim isn’t entirely true. Not all wastewater treatment plants have the necessary bacteria to dissolve PVA. So about 77% of PVA stays intact and is carried into our soil, groundwater, and air. Some laundry detergent sheet formulas also include toxic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (not to be confused with sodium lauryl sulfoacetate) and toxic fragrances. 

Laundry Detergent Sheets Aren’t as “Eco-Friendly” as They Seem

Less bulky, plastic-free packaging looks sustainable, but when the product inside adds to microplastic pollution or relies on harsh chemicals, that “green” image is tarnished. Plus, since laundry detergent sheets are less effective than liquid laundry detergents, they require additional rinse cycles to get clothes clean, which increases the amount of water you use per load.