There is one product that is inexpensive, environmental friendly and that will help your laundry be cleaner and fresher : white vinegar.
Indeed, all you need to do is to add half a cup of white vinegar to your laundry in order to preserve your clothes fibers colors, and to increase your detergent efficiency. This way, you’ll be reducing the amount of detergent that you would normally use for your laundry. It is also possible to pour it directly inside the softener compartment. Again, only half a cup is sufficient for a full laundry load. This use of white vinegar is advantageous compared to the detergents that are sold in supermarkets since Adding white vinegar can reduce static on clothes.
Good for animals
For example, adding white vinegar to your laundry can make animal hair stick less to clothes fibers. Moreover, replacing your softener with it can help eliminate detergent residues that might have been left on your clothes and that could cause skin rashes. White vinegar also has the extraordinary capacity to neutralise all odours, including pet and cigarette odours.
Good on stains
If some damage has already been done and your clothe is severely stained and you are unable to find a product that will remove it, again white vinegar could be your savior. Indeed, all you need to do is soak your stained clothes overnight in some water that contains vinegar. In the morning, put your clothes in the washer and start a normal wash cycle. You can also mix it with a small amount of baking soda and soak your clothes in this mix 30 minutes before putting them in the laundry. Your stains will disapear easily.
Of course, it is best to avoid darker coloured vinegars. Always choose white ones and reserve darker ones for other utilities!