Best laundry sheets: I tested the UK's top eco-friendly detergent sheets

I've picked Simple Living Eco's Laundry Detergent Sheets for our top spot because they're reliable on a normal washing cycle, vegan, cruelty free and reasonably priced. But the main thing that sets them apart from the other detergent sheets on our list is that they're made in the UK, making their carbon footprint considerably smaller. Mumsnetters also love to support independent British businesses, so they really stood out among the laundry sheet crowd.

These sheets come in four subtle scents and in packs of 10, 32 or 64. While the scents are subtle and do fade after washing, the sheets clean clothes effectively on a regular wash. Like most of the sheets on our list, they come in minimal, plastic-free and recyclable packaging, are simple to use and create zero mess in your washing machine drawer.

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Known for making one of the best washing machine cleaners in the UK, Dr Beckmann's is a brand trusted by Mumsnet users. Their Magic Leaves laundry sheets are the cheapest on our list, at just 13p per sheet. However, it's worth noting that the recommended dose is 1 sheet per 4.5kg of laundry, so you'll need two for a full load.

Mumsnet users particularly like these ones for travel. Whether you're heading to an Airbnb, holiday park or Eurocamp, you don't want to worry about spills or carry heavy packaging, so a cheap and cheerful pack of detergent sheets is just the ticket, and I found just half a sheet can be used for hand washing.

There are bio and non-bio versions available, plus three scent options. Unlike other brands on this list, Dr Beckmann's magic leaves come in a resealable plastic pouch. This makes them less eco-friendly than plastic-free options, but you don't need to worry about the sheets getting damp and melting into one - another reason they're great for travel.

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One of the major bugbears when it comes to detergent sheets, and eco-friendly laundry detergent in general, is that they don't tend to keep your whites very white. Due to their natural, gentle ingredients (as opposed to powerful chemicals), they're a bit gentler than many Mumsnetters would like on white school shirts and bedsheets.

Enter Leaf Bio Laundry Sheets. Made with whites in mind, they brought impressive results and a pleasant scent to my laundry. I was genuinely impressed with their cleaning power.

Leaf also make non-bio sheets which are perfect for colours, and at 18p per sheet it's worth stocking up on both types. The 75-sheet boxes will keep you going for ages, but I found the box doesn't hold up well over a long period, and the sheets did end up getting damp and stuck together as I was getting to the end of the box.

Like Leaf Laundry Sheets, these laundry sheets from Wablu have bio enzymes, which are tougher on stains than gentler, non-bio alternatives. I was impressed with the way these sheets tackle the everyday dirt and stains that come along with family life.

Wablu's Laundry Sheets are biodegradable and free of microplastics, so they have high eco-friendly credentials. Of all the scented laundry sheets I tested, these were my favourite - the spring florals scent is fresh and long-lasting.

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Running out of any household essential is a pain, and laundry sheets are so thin it can be difficult to tell when you're running low. Earth Breeze offer a subscription, so a new pack arrives through your letterbox just before you run out.

Mumsnet users love both the scented and unscented sheets, and say that one sheet at 30C cleans a load of laundry very well. For tougher stains these sheets might need a boost from a stain remover or a bio laundry detergent, but for regular washing, they get the job done.

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Mumsnet users with sensitive skin know the struggle of finding a genuinely gentle laundry detergent, and these unscented laundry sheets from The Lab Co don't disappoint.

Formulated for sensitive skin and with no artificial fragrance, these sheets can be used in the washing machine or for handwashing. I like that the sheets come in pairs, perforated for easy tearing. While The Lab Co say you'll only need one per wash, I found myself using two as standard and four for heavily soiled washing.

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If you or your children suffer with allergies, a hypoallergenic laundry detergent is a must. These laundry sheets from Dip are made from natural, hypoallergenic ingredients to care for even the most sensitive skin.

They give a lovely, fresh smell to my laundry - not too subtle but not overwhelming either. A common criticism of laundry sheets is that their fragrances are too subtle, so it's good to see Dip's fresh linen scent cuts the mustard.

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