I Tried the First-Ever Laundry Detergent Tile, and It’s Better Than Pods and Sheets

When you live in a small apartment, every square inch matters — especially in the laundry zone. I don’t have the luxury of a big utility closet or a roomy cabinet dedicated to cleaning supplies, so my laundry detergent lives under my kitchen sink, wedged between reusable grocery bags and extra sponges. 

This has made me extremely picky about what earns a spot here, and I’ve tried every “small-space” laundry solution out there — from concentrated cleaners in refillable bottles, small laundry pods, and even detergent sheets. I loved how compact the sheets were, but my clothes never felt fully clean (there was always leftover residue and dingy hems, too). 

That’s why I was genuinely excited to try out Tide’s latest innovation that promised the compact size of a sheet with the cleaning power of a pod, which is exactly what I needed. I tried Tide evo, the first detergent tile ever made before it officially launched on March 1, 2026 (but you can preorder it right now on Amazon) — and here’s what happened.

Tide evo is a super-compact, premeasured detergent tile. It’s lightweight, dry to the touch, and pliable, almost like a thick fabric swatch — unlike traditional liquid detergents, which are mostly water, or pods, which are typically encased in plastic film, Tide evo is completely waterless and 100% concentrated. Each tile contains six layers of cleaning technology, including stain fighters, brighteners, odor neutralizers, and fresheners — all spun into tens of thousands of tiny detergent fibers.

To use it, place the tile directly into the empty drum of your washing machine and start the water first so it can begin dissolving. Once it’s activated, add your clothes and run your cycle as usual. It comes in recyclable cardboard packaging instead of a plastic container, which makes it easier to store, carry, and recycle.

Each box contains 42 tiles but is still super compact, making it easy to fit neatly under my sink. There’s no bulky jug to maneuver around, and nothing tips over or leaks. I also love that I don’t have to think about detergent doses. There’s something mentally freeing about not measuring detergent or worrying if I poured too much or too little. One tile for a small or medium load. Two for a large one. Done.

Because it’s designed to activate instantly in cold water, I don’t have to second-guess my washing machine settings. Cold washing saves energy, protects fabrics, and simplifies my routine. I just toss in a tile and press start. After my experience with detergent sheets, I was skeptical. But Tide evo genuinely delivered on cleanliness. My clothes looked brighter and everything smelled fresh without being overpowering. There wasn’t any residue, stiffness, or dingy finish.

It’s safe to say that Tide evo has earned its spot in my cabinet as a laundry detergent that’s ideal for small spaces without skimping on its cleaning power.