there are a lot if cheap laundry detergents nowadays in the market. It's a matter of trial and error.. of course, it's expensive at first however if you find the good one and cheap, it's worth looking..
I believe the search for many is to find one that is eco friendly and cheap.
I'll go for soap nuts any day over all the chemicals. Those chemicals are caustic and I'm sure not good for our water supplies. We are too much of a throw away society.