Detergent Sheets vs. Liquid vs. Washing Powder: Which wins the laundry

When it comes to laundry detergent there are now so many options at the supermarket. From washing powder to liquid detergent to dissolvable pods and capsules, you might be wondering what to buy to suit your household. Now, let’s introduce our eco-friendly, Tinkle 2 in 1 laundry + softener detergent sheets to the scene, and you’ve got even more choices. So, which is best for you and the planet?

We’re going to take a deep dive into comparing our detergent sheets with regular washing powder and liquid detergent, so you can be more informed when it comes to purchasing your next laundry cleaning products. Hint: we think our detergent sheets stack up pretty well! 😉

What are Detergent Sheets

If you’re new around here, then you might be wondering what detergent sheets exactly are? Detergent sheets are water dissolvable, pre-measured detergent that comes in square sheets. Simply throw one into your washing machine and it will do the work for you, removing all stains and grime from your clothes.

They differ a little from regular detergent, because our sheets are made from all natural ingredients and come in plastic-free packaging. They also work out cheaper for you, coming in at $0.25 per load with up to 120 loads per pack.

Once you’ve tried detergent sheets, it’s hard to go back. But, here are some pros and cons of using detergent sheets in your laundry routine to really understand all the ways our sheets can help you and the environment.

Pros

Plastic-free packaging
Biodegradable and compostable cardboard
Pre-measured with one sheet per load
Works out at just $0.25 per load
Lightweight to transport and use when travelling
Works in all washing machines and with any water temperature
Easy to store and takes up less space in your cupboard
Contains both detergent and softener, a 2 in 1 solution

Cons

We can’t think of any!

What is Detergent Liquid

Liquid detergents have long been a popular option for laundry detergent, especially when used as a softener for sheets and towels. Liquid detergents are generally sold in large plastic containers and require you to measure it out by pouring into a cup for each load.

You can now also get liquid detergent in capsules or pods. These are usually coated in a dissolvable plastic casing so that you can simply throw a pod or capsule into a load. So, what are the pros and cons of liquid and how do they compare to our sheets?

Pros

Allows you to use as little or as much as you like
Dissolves in all water temperatures
Works in all washing machines
Pre-measured when purchased in capsule or pod form

Cons

Comes in large plastic containers that are bulky
Containers end up in landfill and take hundreds of years to break down
Risk of spilling or overdosing on detergent
Can contain harsh chemicals for natural waterways
Detergent pods and capsules can work out more expensive per load

What is Washing Powder

Perhaps the most common laundry detergent is the one that comes in powder form. Coming in either large boxes or plastic containers, washing powder is fine grains of dry detergent that dissolve in water, although it tends to work better in warm water.

Washing powders usually come with a measuring scoop or cup so you can simply scoop some into your machine depending on how much you want to use. It usually works out cheaper than liquid, but more expensive than sheets. So, how does it compare?

Pros

Can come in recyclable packaging if purchased in cardboard boxes
Stable formula and ingredients that has a long shelf life
Tough on stains and can be used to pre-soak dirty items
Allows you to use as little or as much as you like
Generally dissolves in water

Cons

Doesn’t always dissolve properly in cold water
Boxes of washing powder can be heavy and bulky to store
Risk of spilling or overdosing on detergent
Can contain nasty chemicals that are bad for the environment and tough on skin
Most be stored in very dry places (humidity can cause caking)
Can clog up septic systems sometimes

Which Type of Detergent Wins the Laundry Battle?

All types of detergent have their pros and cons and it can be really helpful to sit down and analyse the main differences so you can make an informed purchase. Now, we’ve looked at the good and the bad of detergent sheets, liquids, and powder, which is the best overall?

Ease of Use:

While in general detergent is easy to use, our detergent sheets make life even simpler. Already pre-measured so that each sheet is enough for one load of washing, there’s no risk of overdosing on detergent or making any spillages. On the other hand, powder and liquid can be difficult to judge and measure, and we’ve all accidentally spilled detergent at least once in our lives.

Overall winner: Detergent sheets

Storage and Portability:

Most detergents, whether it’s powder and liquid, are quite bulky. Liquid detergent tends to come in large plastic bottles which are heavy, while powder usually comes in large boxes. Both need quite a bit of space in your laundry cupboard to be stored and can be heavy when full to move around.

Our detergent sheets basically solve all those dilemmas. They’re much lighter and come in plastic-free packaging, making them easy to store virtually anywhere. You can even easily take our sheets with you on the road and while travelling, just take as many sheets as you’ll need.

Overall winner: Detergent sheets

Cost:

While it really depends on the brand, we estimate that regular detergent costs about $481 per year or $1.32 per load. Our UltraMax laundry detergent sheets on the other hand can cost as little as $0.25 per load! Plus, they save on the additional fabric softener too.

Overall winner: Detergent sheets

Eco-Friendliness:

If you’re trying to make more green swaps in your household, then the sustainability of your detergent is an important factor to consider. Our detergent sheets come in recyclable and compostable cardboard packaging, leaving nothing to landfill. Whereas, a big problem with liquid detergent is the large plastic containers they come in that will sit in landfill for hundreds of years without breaking down.

Our sheets also contain no nasties, and only vegan, cruelty free, and naturally derived ingredients, so you can be sure that it’s kind to our waterways and your plumbing system.

Overall winner: Detergent sheets