Hi Rose,

Not sure about the hot water, but I absolutely swear by using Tide.  It is
the only detergent that really gets dirt out.  (goodness I sound like a
commercial, but it is true).   I find that everything does come out clean
and it doesn't retain odors or stains so much as with other detergents.

For sweet smelling clothing that isn't heavily soiled, I bought a bottle of
a detergent called Gain.  It is very perfumey, not at all unpleasant
smelling, and when there is something I want to smell nice I will
occasionally use that.

I also use Snuggle fabric softener and put it in the dispenser that lets it
go into the rinse at the right time.   That also lends a nice scent to the
clothing, and it could be just as simple as that!  I like using it because
the clothing is less inclined to need ironing, and it dries smoother.

Another thing to try washing with is Oxy Clean because it works on a totally
different principle.   If I have something that doesn't come out clean with
the one detergent I will try washing it once with that.

My absolute BEST laundry tip is something called "Goo Gone".   There isn't a
food spot or grease spot that won't come out if you squirt a bit of that on
before you wash it.  It is a yellow liquid in a bottle with a tiny squirter
at the top that shoots a thin stream of product on a grease spot or food
stain when you squeeze the bottle.   It doesn't harm colors and really gets
grease out.