Can You Use Detergent Sheets for Handwashing Clothes?

If you want your garments to last, it’s important to treat them with care. Delicate fabrics, in particular, are prone to damage, stretching, or shrinking in the washing machine—even if you use the gentle cycle. Washing materials like wool, lace, and silk by hand can extend their lifespan and it gives you a chance to apply more targeted stain removal efforts. 

Handwashing clothes is also a great option when you only have a few items to wash and don’t want to run a full load in your washer. And to make things even more efficient, you can generally use the same detergent you would in a normal cycle. This includes detergent sheets!

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how to use detergent sheets for handwashing clothes, including quick tips for stain removal.

1. Fill a Sink or Basin with Water

If you have a sink in your laundry room, it’s generally the best place to hand wash clothes. It’s important that the sink be clean, however. A utility sink can work if it’s not stained with substances that might transfer for your clothes. When in doubt, you can always use a plastic tub or even a large bowl (depending on the size of your load).

Next, fill the sink or basin with water. In most cases, it’s best to hand wash clothes in cold water but you can check the garment care tag to make sure. Fill the sink enough that your clothes will be fully submerged but not so full that water will slosh over the sides during washing.

2. Add a Laundry Detergent Sheet

Before adding your clothes to the water, drop in a laundry detergent sheet. One sheet is sufficient for most loads, though you might only need half a sheet if you’re just washing a few garments in a smaller volume of water. It’s important to make sure the detergent sheet is fully dissolved before you start washing, so stir the water by hand to evenly distribute the cleansing agents.

3. Soak Your Clothes

Once your washing water is ready, add your clothes. You can just drop them right in and give them a little push under the water. Give them a little stir to make sure everything is fully immersed, then let them soak. If your clothes are only lightly soiled, a quick 5–10 minutes might be enough. 

For more heavily soiled or stained clothes, check them after 10 minutes and soak for another 5–10 minutes if needed. To test whether your clothes have soaked long enough, try gently blotting at a stain using a clean sponge or soft cloth. If it starts to lift, your clothes are ready to wash.

4. Remove Dirt and Stains 

The process of actually washing clothes by hand may differ depending on the level of soil and the fabric type. In some cases, it may be enough to let the clothes soak then gently agitate them by hand for a few minutes before rinsing. 

If your clothing is heavily soiled or stained, you might need to give them some targeted attention. Work the fabric by hand, carefully rubbing the worst stains with a clean sponge or a soft cloth until it lifts. Avoid stretching or scrubbing any of your garments too much or you could damage the fabric.

5. Rinse and Let Dry 

Once you’re satisfied that your clothes are clean, drain the sink or basin. Gently squeeze excess water from the clothing (do not wring) then set it aside while you refill the sink with clean water. Submerge the clothing again and move it around in the water to release any remaining suds. You might need to repeat the process several times.

After your garments have been thoroughly rinsed, remove the excess water again and set them out to dry. Some garments can be hung up to dry, but you don’t want the weight of the wet fabric to cause it to stretch. A better option may be to lay the clothes out on clean towels or to use a drying rack.

Easy Stain Removal Tips

When it comes to hand washing clothes, the trick is to be as gentle as possible—let the water and the detergent do the work. If soaking and stirring isn’t enough to remove stubborn dirt and set in stains, however, there are a few things you can try. 

• Pretreat heavy stains. Dampen the stained area with a little cold water then gently rub a detergent sheet directly onto the stain. As the sheet dissolves, it may form a paste on the fabric—let it sit for 10 minutes before washing.

• Soak before washing. Some stains (like coffee and red wine) might need to soak for a while to break down the stain. Presoak heavily stained garments in a basin with half a detergent sheet for 30 minutes up to 2 hours before washing.

• Blot, don’t scrub. If soaking isn’t enough to remove the stain, try gently blotting at it with a clean sponge or soft cloth while the garment is still submerged. Avoid stretching or scrubbing, as you could damage the fabric.

• Use hard surfaces. Instead of scrubbing at stains, try laying your wet clothes out on a clean, hard surface (like a washboard). Rub them against the surface to create friction and work the detergent into the fabric and dislodge dirt.

• Be patient. Sometimes it takes a little while to lift stains but rushing the process could work them further into the fabric or cause permanent damage. When in doubt, try another soak or an extra rinse.

Earn Rewards with Sheets Laundry Club

If you’re ready to simplify your laundry routine, become a member of Sheets Laundry Club and start earning points on every purchase. Rather than lugging around heavy bottles of detergent or dealing with the hassle of measuring messy powder, give our concentrated detergent sheets a try. All you need is one sheet per load!

Not only can switching to detergent sheets make laundry day more efficient, but it could save you money, too. And when you sign up for our Subscribe & Save program, you’ll get free shipping on orders over $12.99 with up 30% in additional savings.