Laundry sheets: what are they and do they wash as well?

You have a bottle of detergent in the cupboard that does the job perfectly well. So the question is not whether laundry sheets exist, but what you actually gain by putting them in its place. Here is the answer, point by point.

What exactly are laundry sheets?

Laundry sheets are thin sheets of concentrated detergent, about as thick as paper. They contain everything needed to get your clothes properly clean, without the water that takes up most of the room in a bottle of detergent. The sheets are joined by a perforated line, so you tear off what you need and the rest stays neatly in the box. Have a look at the iZi-Wash Sheets with 100 washes.

How do you use a laundry sheet?

In three steps, and you already know the second and the third.

Everything for the laundry is collected under laundry and textiles.

• Tear off a sheet. Along the perforated line, sized to your load.
• Drop the sheet into the bottom of the drum. In with your dirty washing. There is no need to open it out or put it in the detergent drawer.
• Start your programme. The sheet dissolves completely during the wash and the detergent spreads evenly through the drum.

How much do you use per wash?

The dose has been worked out for you, so you never use too much and never too little.

• Light load (under 4 kg) or less dirty washing: half a sheet.
• Full drum (over 4 kg), heavily soiled washing or hard water: a whole sheet.
• Hand washing: dissolve half a sheet in water, let your clothes soak for about 20 minutes and wash by hand.

Too much detergent is a waste and leaves residue in your clothes. With a sheet you take exactly what you need, every single time.

What temperature can you wash at?

Up to 60 degrees. The concentrated formula works powerfully at low temperatures as well and suits eco programmes, so you do not have to run the machine hot to get your washing clean. Beyond that, simply follow the care label in your clothes.

Do laundry sheets wash as well as liquid detergent?

Yes. Do not underestimate the cleaning power of such a thin sheet: it is detergent without the water in it. The sheets tackle dirt, odours and stubborn stains, from grass and coffee to sweat in sportswear. Your clothes come out of the machine fresh and nothing is left behind in the fibres.

They suit whites, darks and colours, and they protect the colours in your clothes, even after many washes.

Why does your washing feel softer without fabric softener?

Because nothing is left in the fabric any more. Fabric softener lays a film on the fibre, and that film is exactly what makes clothes stiff and musty over time. Take it away and your washing feels softer of its own accord and smells fresh for longer. The Cherry version adds a fresh cherry scent that lingers.

What washing can you use them for?

• Bed linen, towels and cotton clothing
• Sportswear and everyday washing, including heavily soiled loads
• Delicate fabrics and baby clothes
• Whites, darks and colours
• Not suitable for wool and silk. For those fabrics, follow the care label.

They are also what you wash your iZi-Clean microfibre cloths with. That is where the difference really shows: no residue is left in the fibres, so your cloths keep taking up as much as they should.

Are laundry sheets suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. The sheets are hypoallergenic and contain no dyes, parabens or harsh chemicals that could irritate the skin. Because they dissolve completely, you carry no detergent residue about in your clothes or your bed linen. That makes them comfortable for the whole family.

Do they work in every washing machine?

From a traditional top loader to a modern washer dryer: laundry sheets suit every kind of washing machine. Use them for washing only, never in the tumble dryer.

What should you watch for to get the best result?

• Sort your washing. By colour, fabric and how dirty it is. Wash lights and darks separately, so colours cannot run.
• Pre-treat stubborn stains. With a stain remover, then simply wash the item in with the rest. That way you do not have to run the hottest programme.
• Choose the right programme. A delicate cycle for fine fabrics, an intensive cycle for heavily soiled washing.
• Look after your machine. Clean the drum, the drawer and the filters regularly, so dirt and soap residue cannot build up.

How do you store laundry sheets?

Damp is the one thing a laundry sheet cannot handle. So pick the sheets up with dry hands only and keep them in their original packaging somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. That way they keep their strength and stay good for a long time, so you can happily stock up. Wash your hands after handling them.

How much cupboard space do you win back?

Enough to get that shelf back. Where one bottle used to stand, several flat boxes now fit. If you have a small utility room or a narrow cupboard, that alone settles it for a lot of people. And when you go away, the sheets slip into your bag without a fuss.

How do you switch over without any fuss?

Simple: order one pack and finish your bottle in your own time. Once it is empty, you will find you just do not buy another. The rest of your laundry routine stays exactly the same, all you change is what goes in the drum. Start with the iZi-Wash Sheets with 100 washes or go for the iZi-Wash Sheets Cherry. Every variety is in the laundry sheets collection, and if you are unsure about a fabric or a temperature, have a look at the frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions about laundry sheets