What's the most environmentally friendly way to get laundry really clean?

[franch]

Do you use e.g. Ecover, or one of those other brands that say you can wash at 30 degrees? Trying to find a method that WORKS but isn't full of chemicals / energy-wasting.

I used to use Ecover, but did find things were a little, um, grey
I am now using those washing ball thingies, with ecover non chlorine bleach stuff for bad stains and essential oil for a nice smell.

Am intrigued by the Bold or whatever brand it is stuff than you can wash at 30 degs. OK, so you're using less energy but WTF must be in them to get clothes 'acceptably' clean for the 'don't give a fuck about the environment as long as it smells nice and gets clean' brigade? Anyone know?

Thanks fullmoon - your question is exactly what I've been wondering ... have been trawling the eco sites, can't find the answer ...

What about the ball thingys from Lakeland?

Have you tried them carmenere?

Try soap nuts. You can buy sample packs for cheap. Use a tiny string bag in the wash rather than the bag they send, and keep wet between uses (not the whole stock, just the ones that have already been in the washing machine). Google and you can read more about them.

I am currently trying them out with a wash atm, will post the results

those are the bally thingies i was talking about too - I've been using them for a month or so and i think they work, but you do need something else for grubby whites IME

I have used the balls but they don't get the stuff as clean or soft, started on soap nuts and they are much better.
If you google "in a soap nut shell " they do free samples (for postage costs)

I've used Ecover for years and have to say that my clothes are always clean and I never wash at more than 40 degrees.

I'm currently using EcoBalls along with white vinegar and tea tree oil. I use the stain remover they supply with the EcoBalls and lemon juice for stains.

It's working well so far although I read on here that the EcoBalls don't last as long as the manufacturers claim but I haven't got to that stage yet.

I find I have to be more careful about separating white and lights (I was pretty slapdash before) as darker fibers seem to migrate to white stuff more and make them look greyish.

Overall I'm pretty happy but might give soap nuts a try once the EcoBalls run out.