Warning...seriously tedious domestic question on washing powder...

[jasper]

As I stood ironing my kiddies clothes at 5 am this morning I was struck at just how mucky they were in places. What washing powder /liquid/ whatever do you all use and have you come across something that you realy feel is an improvement on all the rest? Also to those of you with newish washing machines, do you think the machine makes much of a difference? Mine is a bog standard ten years old Indesit which I won't replace unless it conks out, but when you do get new one do you see an immediate improvement in the cleanness of your clothes?
Thanks

Loobie, I keep washing-up liquid in the bathroom (which is my laundry room) for that purpose (among others - eg giving new clothes a soak before washing so the loose colour comes out) but it's never worked as well as Ariel in the machine.

(Curses - Mo1's marketing mates finally got to me!)

btw I don't iron at all...that should make you all feel better however little you do!