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The best laundry sheets to replace your plastic pods and messy liquid detergent
All tried and tested by the GHI
Tested by Reshma AkhterJunior Commercial Testing Manager
Liquid detergents, pods, powders: there are so many options to reach for when it comes to getting your laundry clean.
The latest innovation is laundry sheets. Meant to be an eco-friendlier choice, they’re more lightweight than powders and liquids, which means lower carbon emissions in both the manufacturing and transportation process.
They’re also easy to stack and store, which makes them convenient and good for taking away with you on staycations. Plus, you don’t have any spills to clean out of the detergent drawer.
But do they live up to the cleaning power of powders and liquids? The Good Housekeeping Institute got washing to find the best laundry sheets on the market.
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How we test laundry sheets
We test all things household here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so of course we had to try laundry detergent sheets. We asked our panel of at-home testers to tackle their rising laundry loads and help us trial market leading laundry sheets. After using them for a few weeks, we then asked them to give detailed feedback on the sheets’ cleaning performance, design, ease of use, and scent.
We also put the sheets to the test in the GHI lab. We used stain strips to see how effectively they removed common household stains, such as tea, mud and makeup. We also used our specialist camera, the DigiEye, to assess white retention and colour fading across multiple washes.
These are the laundry sheets that left our washing vibrant and fresh, load after load.
Best Deal
Must Have Ideas Simple Sheets Bio Detergent
Must Have Ideas Simple Sheets Bio Detergent
Score: 85/100
Scoring top marks on test, these sheets proved to be Must Haves for anyone looking to switch to laundry sheets. They come in a sturdy, compact box that will easily slot into your cupboard and one £10 packet lasts up to 100 washes, meaning a cost of 10p per wash.
The delicate fragrance split our testers – some liked that it was subtle and not overpowering, while some wished that there was a stronger scent. This is of course down to preference. When it came to performance, the sheets excelled at removing stains from cotton and polycotton fabrics. Though some whites did fade a little, colours remained vibrant.
Key specifications
| No. of sheets in pack | 100 |
|---|---|
| Scented | Available in three fragrances – Spring Blossom, Fresh Linen, Jasmine |
| Eco-ingredient claim | No harsh chemicals, dermalogically tested and certified hypoallergenic. No plastic. |
| Sustainable materials | Biodegradable paper for packaging |
Dr. Beckmann Sensitive Fabric Conditioner Sheets
Dr. Beckmann Sensitive Fabric Conditioner Sheets
Score: 79/100
You no longer have to worry about spilling fabric conditioner all over your hands or using too much in the machine, as these conditioning sheets are a convenient alternative. They left our panellists’ clothes feeling softer and smootheracross the board. The packaging was a hit too, as many testers found it convenient to store, and said it would be much easier to carry home from the shop.
The sheets have been formulated with sensitive skin in mind, as they contain no colourants, preservatives, or known allergens. This came through in the feedback too, as multiple panellists said they didn’t affect or irritate their skin, as some fabric conditioners can. They liked the scent too, which wasn’t too overpowering
Key specifications
| No. of sheets in a pack | 14 sheets – 28 washes |
|---|---|
| Scented | Yes, a mild hypoallergenic fragrance |
| Eco-ingredient claim | Free from preservatives |
| Sustainable materials | Recyclable packaging, 80% less plastic |
Green Edge 360 360 Laundry Detergent Sheets
Green Edge 360 360 Laundry Detergent Sheets
Score: 77/100
If there’s one word to sum up the feedback from our testers on these sheets, it would be “easy”. They loved how convenient it was to pop them in the machine, without any measuring or mess involved. “It worked as well as my usual detergent,” one panellist told us, helping to remove any doubt about making the switch.
If you like your laundry detergent scented, choose between Forest Fresh or Ocean Breeze, which were both popular with our panel. However, there’s also a fragrance-free option for those who don’t like strong scents. During our wash tests, there was some slight colour fading on brighter shades, but our whites retained their fresh look without greying. The sheets were able to lift most stains too.
Key specifications
| No. of sheets in pack | 64, 128 or 192 packages available |
|---|---|
| Scented | Available in three fragrances – Forest Fresh, Ocean Breeze, or Fragrance Free |
| Eco-ingredient claim | Made without parabens or phthalates and designed with a gentle plant-based formula. Reduced plastic packaging and donates 2% of profits to initiatives supporting people, animals, and the plane |
| Sustainable materials | Biodegradable paper for packaging |
Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Bio Laundry Detergent
Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Bio Laundry Detergent
Score: 74/100
These ultra-soluble laundry sheets didn’t leave behind any sticky residue on clothes and can be used in low temperatures and quick cycles. “They made my washing a dream to smell and feel,” said one pleased tester. If you have sensitive skin or delicate fabrics to wash, we also tested the non-bio version, which is gentler on your skin and fabrics.
During our lab wash tests, the sheets managed to remove most stains, although there was some fading across ourwhites, so be wary if you’re washing on long cycles. Otherwise, they’re a convenient choice.
Key specifications
| No. of sheets in a pack | 25 |
|---|---|
| Scented | Fresh Blossom |
| Eco-ingredient claim | Preservative and microplastic free |
| Sustainable materials | Biodegradable |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We have been testing household items for over 100 years here at the Good Housekeeping, so we know what works and what doesn’t live up to its claims. We’ve extensively reviewed every element of your cleaning routine, fromappliances such as the best washing machines and tumble dryers to the best eco-friendly laundry detergents.
Our homes tester, Blossom Boothroyd, has oversees all our household product testing. She writes strict protocols to test every product against, ensuring we’re rating it fairly against its claims and the competition. She also writes the feedback questionnaires for our panellists, making sure we’re asking about the things that matter when you’re using laundry detergent at home, from cleaning results to fragrance.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, then takes both sets of feedback data and uses them to inform her product write ups, making sure she’s pulling out the USPs of each product and speaking to experts to ensure we’re answering all your questions about laundry sheets.
Are laundry detergent sheets better for the environment?
“Laundry detergent sheets are better for the environment predominantly because they weigh so much less than traditional liquid or powder detergent,” says Katie Mortram, our household advice editor.
“That means there are less carbon emissions during manufacturing and transit. They also generally use less plastic in their production – many brands feature carboard packaging, making them generally recyclable,” she adds.
Do laundry sheets work as well as liquid laundry detergent?
“Tests in the GHI show that laundry detergent sheets generally don't perform as strongly as liquids in terms of stain removal, but they're fine for everyday loads,” said Katie. “Of course, it does also very much depend on the brands that are being compared. Our winner, the Must Have Ideas Simple Sheets, performed extremely well on test for removing stains and preserving colour.”
Are laundry detergent sheets worth it?
“While detergent sheets aren't as effective at stain removal yet, they're gradually becoming more mainstream as theirperformance improves,” says Katie.
“The eco credentials can't be ignored, and they have benefits no other detergent format can offer, such as taking up minimal shelf space and minimising mess. They're also much cheaper compared to pods and are tearable, so you can better manage the dosage. They're idea for travel too,” she adds.
Laundry sheets vs liquid detergent: which is better?
There are a few differences when it comes to the two detergents. Laundry sheets tend to be more eco-friendly as the packaging contains much less plastic compared to detergent bottles. They’re also lighter to carry from the shop, and easier to store due to their smaller size. The pre-portioned sheets also mean that you don’t need to faff around with measuring out liquids, avoiding mess and using more than you need.
That said, laundry sheets can be less effective on stain removal compared to liquid detergent, especially when it comes to heavier stains.
The verdict on the best laundry sheets
The Must Have Ideas Simple Sheets Bio Detergent are our winning detergent sheets, scoring the highest for stain and odour removal in our wash tests. They also left our clothes feeling soft.
If it’s a fabric conditioner you’re looking for, the Dr. Beckman Fabric Conditioner Sheets left our panellists’ clothes smooth and soft, and is gentle on sensitive skin too.
The Green Edge Landry Detergent Sheets have the highest number of sheets per pack at 192, which is a serious number of loads, and a good pick for busier families. They're also good value at only 17p per wash. However the Dr Beckmann Magic Bio Laundry sheets take the crown for best budget option, costing only 9p per wash.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Reshma is the Junior Commercial Testing Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she leads the commercial testing team, working with partners across a wide range of categories, including household cleaning products, home appliances, sports apparel, skincare, and travel experiences. With a master’s degree in chemistry from UCL, Reshma has a sharp eye for detail and product research, ensuring her market knowledge remains up to date.
Reshma has also appeared on the BBC’s ‘Inside the Factory’ feature representing the Good Housekeeping Institute on their Carpet Stain Removal Segment. While she enjoys dealing with numbers and the more technical aspects of testing, Reshma is also an enthusiastic foodie – and loves to explore London’s newest hot spot cafes and restaurants. She is also a whiz in the kitchen, keeping her team’s collective sweet tooth consistently at bay!
