I usually used Woolite or a similar liquid detergeant when hand washing things in the sink. Trick is not to use too much, makes it hard to rinse out.

My best laundry story was when I was on tour in the midwest. It had been cold and pouring rain for 4 days. We had been pushing to make mileage. I was wearing most of my clothes because it was cold. Pulled into this little town in Iowa, walked into the laundromat, picked a washing machine and loaded up, then started peeling off clothes and adding them to the washer. The lady running the place was watching with interest.... I got down to a T-shirt and a pair of running shorts... her comment "I was wondering if you were going to stop before you got to your birthday suit!"

Aaron