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Most of the sheets simply didn’t live up to their promises. A large number failed basic stain removal tests, struggling with everyday messes like grass, coffee, and even baby food. Several brands didn’t dissolve properly in the wash — leaving behind clumps of detergent stuck to fabric.
And despite being advertised as “eco-friendly,” some contained hidden chemicals like parabens, phosphates, or synthetic brighteners that have been linked to health and environmental risks.
The shocking truth? Only a handful of brands were both safe and effective. While the marketing makes it seem like all laundry sheets are the same, our testing showed a massive gap between the best and the worst.
What were we ranking them based on?
1.Stain-fighting ability. We evaluated its ability in removing 20 usual stains, restoring the original whiteness of a standard pre-stained fabric swatch.
2.Ability to dissolve in water. We evaluated its speed and thoroughness of dissolution in water.
3.Safety and ingredient quality. We also carefully inspected the labels on these detergent sheets to ensure they had proper safety warnings and clear instructions – and no chemical nasties.
Before we reveal the top laundry sheets products, we made a table below of the must-haves and must-avoids:
✅ Bio enzymes
Bio enzymes are a new powerhouse cleaning ingredient that's safe and non-toxic.
Bio enzymes address the root cause of stains by actually breaking down the tiny particles that makeup a stain.
They're also very effective at maintaining the vibrant colors of your clothes, making them look newer for longer.
Bio enzymes were only found in a few small number of laundry sheet brands that we tested. These were the ones that performed the best.
✅ Protease (type of bio enzyme)
Laundry sheets that contain this ingredient are superior at removing stains. Protease is a naturally occurring type of bio enzyme that helps break down proteins found in tough stains like grass, oil, coffee and sweat so they can easily be washed away.
✅ Glycerin
Glycerin is a natural compound commonly found in skincare products due to its moisturizing properties. In laundry sheets, glycerin acts as a fabric softener, helping to keep your clothes feeling soft and smooth. It also helps to protect your fabrics by reducing friction and static cling, which can cause damage to fibers over time.
✅ Tea Seed Oil
Tea Seed oil is a natural surfactant derived from the seeds of the tea plant. In laundry sheets, tea seed oil helps to create a rich lather lifts dirt and grime from your clothes. It also has excellent cleaning properties, making it a great alternative to harsh chemical surfactants.
✅ 3rd Party Lab Testing
Whether or not the brand has conducted third-party lab testing on their sheets is a crucial factor. Testing ensures the product meets strict safety and quality standards, verified by an unbiased source. This testing guarantees the detergent is both effective and free from harmful chemicals, giving you confidence in its safety for your skin, fabrics, and the environment.
❌ Parabens
These are used as preservatives, but they've been linked to hormonal disruption in numerous studies.
❌ Phosphates
These are often used in laundry detergents to soften water and improve cleaning, but they can be harmful to aquatic life when they enter rivers and lakes.
❌ Optical Brighteners
These can make clothes appear whiter and brighter, but they don't actually clean your clothes. They can also be allergenic and are not readily biodegradable.
Freddie impressed our team with its strong performance in stain removal, dissolution, and eco-conscious formulation, ranking as our top pick
They were quick to dissolve, left no residue and were able to remove the toughest of stains including coffee, red wine, dirt and even grass.
The strong cleaning power of these sheets is likely due to their use of a cleaning enzyme called Protease - which is a safe and non-toxic ingredient used to breakdown the tiny particles that make up a stain
If you look closely at Freddie's sheets, you can see these tiny black dots on them (which none of the other brands have).
These black dots are protective shells that contain protease, which is a plant-derived bio enzyme and a powerhouse in removing stains.
It seems that these protective shells enable Freddie to pack more of the powerful Protease cleaning ingredient into each sheet.
Freddie's Laundry Detergent Sheets dissolved quickly in both hot and cold water during our tests, leaving no residue behind.
They come in three varieties - Fragrance Free (unscented), Spring Blossom and Frosty Mountain.
Our team's favorite scent was Spring Blossom which had a soft aroma of blooming petals. Unlike other brands, Freddie's sheets didn't have an overbearing or chemical smell which was a nice surprise.
Our team also loved the packaging - the instructions are very clear so there's little guesswork when deciding the dosage for each load.
We were excited to try Hey Sunday. The brand has great reviews and boasts about its remarkable stain-removing capabilities.
During our tests, we discovered that they do in fact eliminate even the most challenging stains from clothes. Their whitening performance was also unmatched and effectively brought back the whiteness of fabrics that impressed our team.
That being said, it's worth noting that the Hey Sunday sheets were slow to dissolve, both in cold and in hot water. After running a load, we observed noticeable chunks of residue floating around in the water. To put things into perspective, other brands' sheets dissolved much faster, ranging from 2 seconds to 2 minutes.
Norwex's Laundry Detergent Sheets earned the third-highest overall spot. These sheets exhibited an impressive cleaning and whitening performance on pre-stained gray fabric swatches. Plus, they dissolved in just under 1 minute when used with cold water, providing convenient and efficient usage.
Norwex's Laundry Detergent Sheets are USDA Certified Biobased Products, making them an environmentally conscious choice. While Norwex sheets excelled in removing everyday stains like ketchup and grape juice, they required additional effort to tackle more stubborn stains such as tea and lipstick. It's also important to mention that among the detergent sheets tested, Norwex's strips ranked as the most expensive option.
From our testing, we learned that Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Sheets performed well on some stains like ketchup, however wasn't as good on certain stains like grass and tea during our evaluations. However, we found that these sheets sometimes left a residue on our swatches which is something you might want to look out for.
The instructions on the package were easy to follow and our team did appreciate the fact that the sheets may be great for those with sensitive skin due to their hypoallergenic formulation.
After evaluating 14 different detergent sheets brands, our team selected Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets as our number one pick. Several reasons drove our decision, making Freddie stand out from the competition.
Cleaning Performance: First and foremost, Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets demonstrated exceptional cleaning performance across a wide range of stains. Our comprehensive testing process involved challenging stains such as coffee, red wine, grass, and grease, and Freddie consistently performed better than other brands tested in removing tough stains like coffee, red wine, and grass. Its powerful formula effectively penetrated fabrics, leaving them remarkably clean and fresh.
Whitening Power: In addition to its outstanding stain-removal capabilities, Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets exhibited exceptional whitening power. Pre-stained fabric swatches were subjected to Freddie's cleaning process, and the results were impressive. Freddie successfully restored the original whiteness of the fabrics, eliminating discoloration and revitalizing the appearance of even heavily soiled items.
Dissolution Efficiency: One of the key factors that set Freddie apart was its dissolution efficiency. These detergent sheets dissolved quickly and thoroughly in both cold and hot water, ensuring optimal dispersion and distribution of the cleaning agents during the wash cycle. This allowed for maximum cleaning performance, ensuring every garment received the right amount of cleaning power.
User-Friendliness: Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets provided clear and user-friendly instructions on their labels, along with necessary safety precautions. This attention to detail demonstrated their commitment to consumer satisfaction and safety. Moreover, Freddie's commitment to environmental responsibility was evident, with their sheets being free from unnecessary fillers and harsh chemicals, making them eco-friendly and gentle on fabrics.
Multiple Scents: Another notable aspect that contributed to Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets being our number one pick is the variety of scent options available. Freddie understands that different individuals have unique preferences when it comes to fragrance. That's why they offer three distinct scents: Spring Blossom, Frosty Mountain and Fragrance Free, catering to individuals with sensitivities or those who prefer to avoid added fragrances. This versatility in scent options showcases Freddie's commitment to providing a personalized and enjoyable laundry experience for every user.
Price Tag: In addition to its outstanding cleaning performance and innovative features, Freddie also offers an appealing pricing advantage. For those who opt for a subscription, Freddie provides a very cost effective price per load compared to the other detergent sheet brands.
Consumer Feedback: Lastly, the positive customer feedback and reviews we received about Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets further solidified our decision. Customers praised the convenience and effectiveness that Freddie provided, making it a top choice for many households.
In conclusion, Freddie Laundry Detergent Sheets emerged as our number one pick due to its exceptional cleaning performance, impressive stain removal and whitening capabilities, efficient dissolution, clear instructions, and positive customer feedback. Freddie's commitment to delivering outstanding results while being eco-friendly made it the clear frontrunner among detergent sheets on the market.
Do Laundry Detergent Sheets really work?
Yes they do. From our testing we found that some brands like Freddie actually clean and remove stains better than both liquid and pod detergent.
Do they work with all washing machines?
Yes, laundry detergent sheets work with all types of washing machines including top loading, front loading, or a high efficiency (HE) machine - they all work.
Are laundry sheets safe for my washing machine?
Yes, they dissolve completely in water, leaving no residue on your clothes or in your machine. They're also formulated to be gentle on fabrics and work in all types of machines, including high-efficiency models.
What water temperature should I use?
Laundry sheets are designed to dissolve and function effectively in any water temperature, hot or cold.
Can I use multiple laundry sheets for a large load?
Yes, if you have a larger or particularly dirty load of laundry, you can use more than one sheet. Check the product instructions for recommendations on how many sheets to use per load size.
Do laundry sheets have a shelf-life?
This varies from brand to brand but usually for about 2 years.
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