It's a small heartbreak. You open the washer and there's a sheet, slightly gummy, clinging to your favorite sweater like it's scared of the dryer.

Quick answer: most sheets are designed to dissolve in cold water. When one doesn't, it's usually a very cold, very short or very full cycle. Tear it, place it first and give clothes room.

Why a sheet might not dissolve

• Very cold water, like a winter tap.
• A very short cycle, like a quick wash.
• An overloaded drum, so water can't move around it.
• The sheet sat on top and stuck to wet fabric.

Four easy fixes

1. Tear it in half. More edges, faster dissolve.
2. Put it in first, under the clothes.
3. Don't overload. Leave a hand's width at the top.
4. Pre-dissolve in a cup of warm water for very cold cycles.

Found a gummy bit?

No stress. Rinse the item under warm water and run it through a rinse cycle. It washes right out.

What about our sheets?

We're testing Just 7 in cold water and will publish what we find.^†

FAQ

Will laundry sheets dissolve in cold water? They're designed to. Very cold, short cycles can slow them down.

What do I do if a laundry sheet doesn't dissolve? Rinse the item and tear sheets in half next time.

Can I pre-dissolve a laundry sheet? Yes, in a cup of warm water. Then pour it into the drum.

Is the leftover residue harmful to clothes? It usually rinses out. Run a rinse cycle.