📅 What Happened When I Ditched Liquid Detergent for 30 Days

I'll admit it: I was skeptical. When a friend raved about switching to laundry detergent sheets, my immediate thought was, "There's no way a tiny sheet can clean my clothes as well as liquid detergent." But after yet another morning spent cleaning up a detergent spill from my laundry room floor, I decided to give it a shot.

I ordered a 3-box subscription of First Editions Romantasy Laundry Detergent Sheets—240 loads for $44, which breaks down to just $0.18 per load. For context, my usual liquid detergent cost me around $0.52 per load. If nothing else, the math was compelling.

Here's what happened during my 30-day experiment, week by week.

🤔 Days 1-3: The Skeptic's First Impressions

The box arrived, and I was immediately struck by how compact it was. No heavy plastic jug. No awkward pouring. Just a sleek box that fit perfectly in my laundry room cabinet. Each sheet was pre-measured—one sheet for a regular load, half a sheet for a small load. Simple enough, but would it actually work?

My first load was a test run: everyday clothes, nothing too challenging. I tossed a sheet into the drum, added my clothes, and hit start. As the machine filled with water, I peeked inside. The sheet was already dissolving. Fast.

When the cycle finished, I pulled out my clothes expecting... I don't know, maybe a waxy residue? Instead, they were clean. Genuinely clean. And they smelled fresh—not overpowering, just pleasantly clean. I was cautiously impressed.

✨ Week 1: No Mess, No Stress

By the end of the first week, I realized something: I hadn't spilled a single drop of detergent. Not once. For someone who regularly knocked over the liquid jug or dripped detergent on the floor, this was a game-changer.

I also noticed that my laundry room looked... cleaner? Without the bulky detergent bottle taking up space and leaving rings on the shelf, everything felt more organized. The compact box stored neatly alongside my dryer sheets, and I wasn't constantly wiping up detergent drips.

But the real question remained: How would these sheets handle tough stains?

💪 Week 2: The Real Test

Week two brought the challenges I'd been waiting for. My partner spilled coffee on a white shirt. My workout clothes were particularly sweaty after a long run. And then there was the inevitable grass stain on my son's jeans.

I'll be honest—I expected the sheets to fail here. But I threw in a full sheet per load and let the machine do its thing.

The results? The coffee stain came out completely (though I did pre-treat it with a bit of stain remover, as I would with any detergent). The workout clothes were fresh and odor-free. And the grass stain? About 85% gone, which is honestly better than my liquid detergent usually managed.

I also tested cold water washes, which I prefer for saving energy. The sheets dissolved perfectly, even in cold water. No residue, no film, just clean clothes.

At this point, I was convinced these sheets actually worked. But would I stick with them long-term?

🌟 Weeks 3-4: The Unexpected Benefits

By weeks three and four, using detergent sheets had become completely second nature. But I started noticing benefits I hadn't anticipated.

Travel-Friendly: I took a weekend trip and packed a few sheets in a small ziplock bag. No TSA liquid restrictions, no leaking bottles in my suitcase. I did laundry at my Airbnb without lugging around a heavy detergent container or hunting for laundromat quarters.

No More Overusing: With liquid detergent, I always poured a bit extra "just to be safe." With pre-measured sheets, I used exactly what I needed—nothing more, nothing less. This wasn't just more economical; it was better for my clothes and the machine.

Plastic-Free Packaging: I won't pretend this was my top priority at first, but by week three, I realized I hadn't thrown away a single plastic jug. The sheets came in plastic-free packaging, and knowing that every load was one less contribution to plastic waste felt genuinely good.

Cost Savings: By the end of the month, I'd gone through about 20 sheets (40 loads, since I split most sheets in half for smaller loads). At my subscription rate, that's just $3.60 per month for detergent. My previous liquid detergent cost me closer to $10 per month. That's a savings of $76.80 per year—enough for a nice dinner out or a few books for my shelf.

💚 The Results: What I Learned (And Why I'm Not Going Back)

Here's the truth: I didn't expect to become a detergent sheet convert. But after 30 days, I can't imagine going back to liquid detergent. Not because the sheets are revolutionary or magical—but because they're simply better in almost every practical way.

What worked:

• Cleaning power was equal to (and sometimes better than) my liquid detergent
• Pre-measured sheets eliminated mess, guesswork, and overuse
• Compact packaging saved storage space and looked cleaner
• Travel-friendly and genuinely convenient
• Cost savings were significant (65% cheaper per load than my previous detergent)
• Plastic-free packaging aligned with my sustainability goals

What surprised me:

• The sheets dissolved completely in cold water (I was worried they wouldn't)
• The scent was fresh but not overpowering—perfect for sensitive noses
• I used less detergent overall, which is better for my clothes and my wallet
• Laundry day felt less like a chore and more like a quick, simple task

What didn't work:

• Honestly? Nothing major. The sheets did everything I needed them to do.

The data backs this up, too. Studies show that concentrated detergent sheets use 94% less water than liquid detergents and reduce packaging waste by up to 96%. For someone like me—who values both convenience and sustainability—that's a win-win.

And let's talk about the subscription model for a second. First Editions offers a 3-box subscription for $44, which gives you 240 loads (yes, 240—you can split each sheet in half for smaller loads). That's $0.18 per load, delivered to your door with free shipping. Compare that to the $0.52 per load I was spending on liquid detergent, and the savings add up fast—over $80 per year.

Plus, the subscription is flexible. You can skip, pause, or cancel anytime. No commitment, no hassle. Just fresh detergent sheets delivered exactly when you need them.

🎯 My Honest Recommendation

If you're on the fence about trying detergent sheets, here's my advice: Just try them. Give yourself a 30-day experiment like I did. You might be surprised, like I was, by how much easier laundry becomes when you remove the mess, the guesswork, and the plastic waste.

Are detergent sheets perfect for everyone? Maybe not. If you're deeply attached to your liquid detergent brand or you have very specific laundry needs, sheets might not be your thing. But for most people—especially those of us juggling busy lives, tight budgets, and a desire to make more sustainable choices—detergent sheets are a practical, effective, and genuinely better option.

I started this experiment as a skeptic. I'm ending it as a subscriber. And I think you might, too.