How Many Detergent Sheets Should You Use Per Load?

Are you tired of lugging heavy detergent bottles around? Or spilling messy powder all over the place each time you try to do a load of laundry? If you’re looking for a simpler (and cleaner) solution, laundry detergent sheets could be just the ticket. But if you’re not familiar with detergent sheets, you might be wondering whether they’re all they’re cracked up to be.

Laundry is an essential chore—you can only go so long before you run out of clean clothes. Hassle-free solutions like detergent sheets can not only simplify the task and save valuable time, but they can reduce your cost-per-load as well. The trick to getting the most out of laundry detergent sheets while protecting your pocket book is to use them properly.

Here we’ll explain how many detergent sheets you should be using per load of laundry, depending on factors like load size, heavily soiled loads, machine type, and more.

1. Load Size

The primary determining factor for how many detergent sheets to use is the size of the load. It only makes sense that larger loads might require more detergent than smaller loads, but you want to avoid using too much. Not only can excess detergent leave behind residue on your clothes or in your machine, but it’s hard-earned money washed down the drain. 

Luckily, detergent sheets make it easy to strike the perfect balance. Here are some simple recommendations based on load size:

• Light Loads - For small loads, you may only need half a detergent sheet. If the washing machine is less than half full, consider cutting your laundry detergent sheet in half.
  

• Medium Loads - The average load of laundry is perfectly sized for a single, full-sized detergent sheet.
  

• Large Loads - When you’ve put off doing laundry for a little too long, you might need to use an extra half sheet (or even two full laundry sheets) to tackle the larger load. It may also be the right move when washing bulky items like bedding or towels.
  

• Oversized Loads - If you’re stuffing the washing machine to overflowing, consider dividing the load in half. Too many clothes in the washer could prevent the detergent sheets from dissolving fully and adding an extra sheet won’t solve the problem.

2. Level of Soil

After assessing the size of the load, consider the level of soil. For lightly soiled clothes, a half detergent sheet is recommended for small loads and a full sheet for medium to large loads. If your clothes are heavily soiled, you may need to add an extra half sheet to the amount you’d normally use for the load size. 

If your clothes are heavily soiled, it may be worth pre-treating some of the problem areas before washing. Laundry sheets can be used for this purpose as well! Just dampen a detergent sheet and use it to pretreat tough stains before throwing the item into the washing machine.

3. Washer Size and Type

The beauty of laundry detergent sheets is that they are compatible with all types of washing machines. That being said, placement is key. Detergent sheets need to dissolve completely to work as they should, so it’s best to put them in the washing machine before any of your clothes to ensure the sheet gets fully soaked with water. 

While you don’t need to adjust the number of detergent sheets you use based on washing machine type, the size of the washer could be a factor. 

If you have a standard-sized washing machine (including high-efficiency models), follow the recommendations above based on load size. For compact washing machines, your load size will be limited and so a half sheet may be sufficient in many cases. In high-capacity machines, you might need an extra half or full detergent sheet if you’re washing a full or oversized load.

4. Water Hardness

Unless you know your home has hard water, you may not need to adjust your use of laundry detergent sheets. Simply stick to the recommendations above based on load size and level of soil. If you have hard water, the excess mineral content could make it harder for detergent sheets to dissolve fully. In this case, using an extra half sheet might help. 

If you’re not sure whether you have hard or soft water, visit your local hardware store to purchase a test kit or order one online. These kits are easy to use and provide results in just a few minutes—they also tend to be pretty affordable.

5. Water Temperature

Water temperature generally isn’t a factor when it comes to how much detergent you need to get your clothes clean. Laundry detergent sheets are designed to work in both hot and cold water, so simply use as many sheets as needed for the load size and level of soil. If you’re planning to run a hot water cycle, be sure to check the care labels on your garments to be sure the fabrics can handle the heat without damage.

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