How Many Laundry Detergent Sheets Should I Use Per Load? Expert Tips for the Most Effective Clean

New to laundry detergent sheets and wondering how many to use? We’ll help you choose the ideal amount for all your laundry needs.

Thanks to their convenience and eco-friendliness, laundry detergent sheets have become a popular alternative to traditional detergents. The best laundry detergent sheets offer excellent cleaning power while relying on gentle, plant-based ingredients rather than harsh chemicals. 

However, like other household cleaning products, the efficacy of laundry detergent sheets starts with using them correctly. In this article, we’ll explain how to choose the correct number of laundry sheets for various load types and sizes. We’ll also cover some expert tips to help you get the best possible performance from your laundry sheets. Let’s get started!

A Quick Guide to Using Laundry Detergent Sheets

If you’re using HeySunday laundry detergent sheets, you can follow these guidelines to determine how many sheets to use sheets per load: 

• 1 sheet: Regular loads (drum 1/2 full, approximately 6 lbs)
• 2 sheets: Large loads
(drum 3/4 full, approx. 11 lbs)
• 3 sheets: Extra-large loads with substantial dirt or staining (full drum, approx. 20 lbs)

After determining how many sheets you need for your load of laundry, simply put the sheets in the bottom of the drum and place your clothes on top. Set your machine to the desired wash cycle, and let the laundry sheets get to work!

Factors Influencing Laundry Sheet Usage

The most important factors to consider when adding laundry sheets to your machine are the size and weight of your load and the soil level of the clothes. However, there are a few other things to note to get the best results (and value) from your laundry sheets.

Load Size

If you have a medium-sized load, you’ll typically need one HeySunday laundry detergent sheet to get your clothes clean and fresh. A medium load weighs around 6 lbs and should fill up half of your washing machine’s drum. For large loads that take up around three-quarters of the drum, about 11 lbs, you’ll want to use two sheets. Lastly, use three sheets for extra-large and heavy loads (around 20 lbs) that fill up the entire drum. 

Soil Level

In addition to noting the size of your load, you’ll also want to pay attention to how soiled or stained the clothes are. For heavily soiled clothes, add an extra detergent sheet to ensure that the dirt will be successfully lifted away and your clothes will come out looking and smelling fresh. For heavily stained clothes, consider pre-soaking them in a formulated stain remover solution or dissolving a laundry sheet in a tub of water to create your own. Spot-cleaning tough stains like grass, wine, or coffee will also help lift stains before the clothes go into the washing machine.

Water Hardness

If you live in an area with hard water (i.e., water with a high mineral content), you may need to use an extra detergent sheet to help the sheets work effectively. Having hard water means your clothes are more likely to take on a greyish or yellowish hue, and you may also notice streaks, soil buildup, or a stiff feel to your clothes. Adding distilled white vinegar to your final rinse cycle is a popular home remedy for hard water (use half a cup for regular loads and one cup for large loads). Besides working as a water softener, vinegar also works as a fabric softener. 

Washing Machine Type

HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are compatible with all washing machines, including front-loaders, top-loaders, and high-efficiency (HE) models. Unlike many liquid, powder, and homemade detergents, our laundry sheets won’t leave excessive suds in your HE machine. HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are designed to dissolve quickly at any water temperature without leaving residue on your clothing. They’re also safe for greywater and septic systems. 

If you’ve correctly assessed the load’s size and soil level, your washing machine type shouldn’t affect how many detergent sheets you need to use.

Expert Tips for Getting the Best Clean with Detergent Sheets

As with switching to any new product, it may take a little time to get the balance right for your family’s laundry needs. Check out these tips to help simplify the process and eliminate the guesswork when using laundry sheets. 

• Although we recommend starting with one sheet for regular loads, two for large loads, and three for extra-large loads, you may need to experiment a few times to find the right number of laundry sheets for various load sizes, soil levels, and fabric types. 
• When using a new brand of laundry sheets, make sure to follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions, as various brands offer different sheet sizes. For brands with large sheets, you may need to tear sheets in half (often along a perforated line) for medium-sized loads.
• You can use laundry sheets on the same types of clothing that you would otherwise wash with traditional laundry detergents, including pods, powders, and liquid detergents. Make sure to check clothing tags for special care instructions.
• You can also use laundry detergent sheets for handwashing items. Just dissolve a sheet in a tub of warm or cold water (depending on the garment care instructions), gently clean the item, soak, rinse, remove excess water by rolling in a towel, and then dry as required.
• Consider pre-soaking heavily soiled clothes or spot-cleaning stubborn stains like red wine, coffee, or grass) with a stain remover. You can dissolve a detergent sheet in water to quickly make your own pre-soak solution, just as you would for handwashing. For delicate fabrics like wool or cotton, around 30 minutes is enough, while heavy-duty fabrics like denim or canvas can handle several hours. 

Why Choose HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets?

Whether you’re switching from a liquid, pod, or powder detergent for the first time or simply considering a new brand of sheets, we’re confident that HeySunday is a great choice. 

Available in Ocean Breeze and Fragrance-Free options, HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are suitable for all water temperatures and machine types, as well as handwashing. They work well on whites and colors and won’t leave residue on your clothes or in your machine.  

Our laundry sheets provide exceptionally effective cleaning power thanks to seven plant-based surfactants and an enzyme—all while using eco-friendly OECD 301b-certified biodegradable ingredients like tea oil, citric acid, and sunflower oil that are gentle on sensitive skin. You won’t find any harsh chemicals in our third-party-tested, skin-friendly laundry sheets, which are free from 1,4 dioxane, bleach, dyes, phthalates, and phosphates. 

HeySunday’s commitment to sustainability extends to our minimal packaging, which is compostable and dramatically reduces the amount of plastic waste associated with household laundry. Our concentrated, pre-measured sheets arrive ready to be placed into your machine, so you’ll never need to measure out messy liquid or powder again. By eliminating bulky plastic jugs, you’ll also free up space in your laundry room, as each slim envelope of HeySunday sheets is suitable for up to 60 loads. The compact size and no-mess design of laundry sheets make them ideal for traveling. 

To get started with HeySunday, you can make a one-time purchase of 60 laundry sheets through our website. Alternatively, set up a subscribe and save order for a 30% discount (you can adjust or cancel at any time). Shipping is always fast and free with no order minimum, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all purchases.

Final Thoughts

Laundry sheets (also known as detergent strips) are a relatively new innovation, and it’s understandable to have reservations about switching to an unfamiliar product. If you’re unsure whether laundry sheets are right for you, check out our reviews. In addition to the convenience, minimal packaging, and eco-friendly ingredients of HeySunday laundry detergent sheets, our customers have been pleasantly surprised to discover how easy it is to get excellent cleaning results. 

With HeySunday detergent sheets, doing your laundry has never been simpler. By following our guide to the correct number of sheets for your laundry needs, you’ll get the best value from your purchase and ensure that your clothes come out clean, fresh, and stain-free every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our answers to these common questions about laundry detergent sheets.

Are laundry sheets better than traditional liquid detergent?

While "better" is a matter of personal preference, there are many compelling reasons to use HeySunday laundry sheets instead of traditional detergent. Using laundry sheets eliminates the need for heavy, bulky plastic bottles, a major contributor to landfill waste. Their small size means they take up less space in your laundry room, are great for travel, and are entirely mess-free.

Are detergent sheets eco-friendly?

HeySunday laundry sheets use certified biodegradable ingredients like tea oil, citric acid, and sunflower oil to effectively lift stains and clean and brighten clothes. Unlike some detergents that rely on harsh chemicals, HeySunday laundry sheets contain seven plant-based surfactants and an enzyme that are gentle on skin yet provide a powerful clean, even on tricky stains.

Are laundry detergent sheets suitable for all washing machines?

Yes, you can use detergent sheets in any washing machine, including front-loading, top-loading, and HE models. They are greywater and septic-safe and work well in cold, warm, and hot water. Many customers also use them to hand wash clothes.

How many sheets should I use per load?

Our general guidance is to use one sheet for regular loads (drum 1/2 full, approximately 6 lbs), two sheets for larger loads (drum 3/4 full, approx. 11 lbs), and three sheets for extra-large or heavily soiled loads (full drum, approx. 20 lbs).