Help for the Lazy Laundress

All this talk of clothing swaps got me motivated to clean out my kids' drawers this morning -- and what a load! My 3-year old still had twelve-month sized pants and tees lingering around, while my daughter had about 27 tank tops (which she would wear year-round if she could) shoved in every nook and cranny. As I was sorting the clothes, I was dismayed to find so many perfectly good tops and pants with -- at this point -- permanent stains. The clothes had been washed and dried over and over again without being treated. By me, of course. Because for me, doing laundry is all about speed. How fast can I gather up the hampers, sort the clothes (yes, I'm still sorting -- but they are full loads) and get 'em in the wash? I never stop to check for stains, assuming that the Whirlpool will take care of that. Now I have a bunch of perfectly good clothes that no one else is going to want because of the stains. What a waste.

Is there help for the Lazy Laundress? How do you tackle your kids laundry, and more importantly, how do you treat those stains -- think grass stains and chocolate ice cream -- in an eco-friendly manner? (No Shout, please!) Have you had luck with the glycerin and water combo suggested by Metro?