Glycerin is a gentle humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
While it’s more commonly known as a skincare staple, its inclusion in laundry detergent sheets helps ensure that residue left on clothing is non-drying and non-irritating.
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SKINCARE > TRENDING
By Dr Enrizza Factor
Board Certified Dermatologist
As a board-certified dermatologist, I’ve worked with countless patients managing sensitive skin, eczema, and contact dermatitis. While many focus on skincare routines, one often-overlooked trigger is their laundry detergent (and what it leaves behind on the fabrics they touch every day).
Skin comes into contact with fabrics all day, every day. And if your laundry detergent leaves behind harsh residues, synthetic fragrances, or skin-sensitizing chemicals, it could be silently contributing to irritation, dryness, and even allergic reactions.
Many people assume their only option is to switch to fragrance-free liquid detergents in bulky plastic jugs.
But that’s no longer the case.
Today’s laundry detergent sheets offer a cleaner, gentler alternative—free from many of the harsh additives found in traditional detergents. They’re also better for the environment and much easier to use.
The challenge? Not all detergent sheets are created equal. Some still contain irritating preservatives, artificial fragrances, or ineffective cleaning agents that don’t fully remove bacteria and allergens from your fabrics.
Before I share my top product picks, let me bust a common myth: “Hypoallergenic” doesn’t always mean safe for sensitive skin.
What truly matters is a formula that’s free from known irritants like sulfates, optical brighteners, parabens, and synthetic fragrances—and that’s effective at fully rinsing out of your fabrics.
Over the past year, I’ve personally reviewed and tested dozens of detergent sheet brands to find the ones that actually deliver skin-safe results and strong cleaning performance.
✅ Glycerin
Glycerin is a gentle humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
While it’s more commonly known as a skincare staple, its inclusion in laundry detergent sheets helps ensure that residue left on clothing is non-drying and non-irritating.
✅ Tea Seed Oil
This plant-derived ingredient functions as a natural surfactant with mild antimicrobial properties.
Unlike harsh chemical surfactants, tea seed oil lifts away dirt and body oils while leaving behind no irritating residue—ideal for those prone to flare-ups or allergic reactions.
✅ Protease (type of Bio Enzyme)
Bio enzymes are a game-changer for sensitive skin - not because they’re moisturizers, but because they remove invisible irritants.
By breaking down stain particles like sweat, oils, and allergens trapped in fabrics, these enzymes prevent lingering buildup that can trigger eczema or dermatitis.
✅ Dermatologist-Backed Third-Party Testing
Products that undergo third-party dermatological testing are far more likely to be suitable for sensitive skin.
Look for sheets that are independently verified to be non-irritating and hypoallergenic—especially if you or your family have a history of skin conditions.
❌ Parabens
These preservatives have been linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, and I typically recommend avoiding them, especially for children or those with active eczema.
❌ 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 give clothes the appearance of being whiter or cleaner, but they often remain on fabric and can interact with the skin under sunlight, potentially causing rashes or photosensitivity.
Freddie's Dermatologist-tested sheets impressed our team not just for its stain removal power, but for its skin-friendly formulation and residue-free dissolution. It’s our top pick for individuals with eczema, dermatitis, and sensitive skin.
Unlike many traditional detergents that leave behind potential irritants, Freddie’s sheets dissolved fully in both hot and cold water - leaving no residue that could trigger flare-ups or dryness on contact with clothing, towels, or bedding.
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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Not fair
Does anyone know how much longer until they take it down?
Will check out the other brands as I want to move away from plastic jugs.