We sell those things at my store. Consumer Reports did a test on different things and they didn't rate them very well at all. I've used them but really don't see a difference. Now the balls with laundry detergent in them are awesome. You get 90 washings and your whites come out really white and smelling great.

Because I am not THERE when it calls for the liquid detergent, I use dryer sheets. So much easier.