I had this problem. The labels on many clothes say it whould be washed at 40 degrees but I've now learned that a 50 degree cycle does it better and the clothes don't seem to have shrunk or anything.
I have this whizzo stain stick thing that I think we got out of the Betterware or Kleeneze catalogue that comes with those wash ball things. That works an absoloute treat.
But one good way is, if practical, whip the item of clothing off them, pull the stained area taut and run under a really really hot tap, then shove in the wash. This works a treat with strawberry stains and blood, even if the top has been festering in the laundry bin for a few days.