How laundry detergent sheets work
Think of a detergent sheet as a full dose of laundry detergent that has been dried and pressed into a thin strip. You may also hear them called laundry sheets, laundry strips or eco sheets.
A water-soluble binder holds the cleaning ingredients together in the pack. As soon as the sheet meets water, that binder releases the detergent into the wash.
Spot Detergent Sheets dissolve in under 60 seconds, in cold, warm or hot water, so nothing is left in the drum or on your clothes. From there, the surfactants do the same job as a capful of liquid: they lift dirt and oil from fabric, then rinse away.
What is in a detergent sheet?
Spot sheets have nine ingredients: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerol, Fatty Alcohol Polyglycol Ether, Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Trisodium Citrate, Trilon M. The formula is plant-based, free of parabens, phosphates, 1,4-dioxane and added dyes. It is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.
Every sheet needs something to hold it together. In ours, that is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water-soluble polymer. Our ingredients page explains what each ingredient does.
Why people switch from liquid and powder
- No plastic jug. Spot ships flat in a recyclable paper envelope.
- No measuring or spills. Each sheet is perforated, so half a sheet handles a small load.
- Light and compact. A pack fits in a drawer, carry-on or RV cupboard, and no liquid means no airport liquid limits.
- Easier to lift. People who find a heavy jug hard to carry often switch for this reason alone.
What to keep in mind
- Sheets are a different format, not a different kind of chemistry. For a stubborn stain, pre-treat it the way you would with any detergent.
- Place the sheet in the drum with your clothes, not flat against the washer wall, so it dissolves evenly.
- Spot comes in one light scent: Fresh Linen.
What reviewers say about Spot
CNN Underscored named Spot its "Best Budget Laundry Detergent Sheets" and called the sheets "very capable cleaners."
Frequently asked questions
Do laundry detergent sheets really clean clothes?
Yes. A detergent sheet contains the same kind of cleaning agents as liquid detergent, in a dried and concentrated form. CNN Underscored named Spot the Best Budget Laundry Detergent Sheets and called them very capable cleaners.Link to this answer
Do detergent sheets dissolve completely?
Spot sheets dissolve in under 60 seconds of contact with water, in cold, warm or hot water, so there is nothing to fish out of the drum.Link to this answer
Can I use detergent sheets in any washing machine?
Yes. Spot sheets work in front-load, top-load, HE and non-HE machines, at home or at the laundromat.Link to this answer