Washing at 30 - getting things clean and fresh?!

[frogonalog2]

Couldn't find a recent thread on this topic and products come and go so starting a new one...

Tried washing at 30C a year or so ago. Clothes didn't seem clean or fresh to me (and I don't have hugely high standards!) so I gave up. Recently a couple of friends/family members have mentioned washing at 30C so I thought perhaps I should try again.

Is everyone doing it? If so, how do you get things clean and fresh? Is there anything you don't wash at 30C? Do you pre-soak? Use a specific washing powder or liquid? Or stain remover?

I'm already separating out v. sweaty sports kit and doing that on a separate wash. We do have a baby and toddler and I try and spot treat stains on their clothes with a spray before putting it in the machine.

I use a basic laundry liquid from the zero waste shop - might be Ecover or a cheaper alternative. Do I need to switch to something more "hardcore?" for 30?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Any other moneysaving laundry tips welcome :)

20 or 30 should wash fine in a new machine (and save money). I always add a little bit of soda crystals to my wash to help boost the cleaning power of my detergent. If stuff is noticeably dirty I’ll pretreat with liquid soda crystals and do a 40 wash. I do towels and bedding at a higher temp.

I also didn't get on with Ecover. Smol is excellent.

Thanks everyone! And Smol is on my list of things to try.