HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR ACU
WASH IN COLD WATER AND MILD DETERGENT CONTAINING NO OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS OR BLEACH. TUMBLE DRY AT LOW HEAT (NOT TO EXCEED 130 DEGREES FARENHEIT). REMOVE IMMEDIATELY FROM THE DRYER AND FOLD FLAT OR PLACE ON A RUSTPROOF HANGER TO ENSURE HEAT FROM THE DRYER DOES NOT SET WRINKLES. TO DRIP DRY, REMOVE FROM THE WASHER/WATER AND PLACE ON A RUSTPROOF HANGER. DO NOT WRING OR TWIST.
Thank you for your interest in providing laundry detergent to our troops!
LAUNDERING THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU)
The ACU's care label contains instructions stating you should launder the ACU in a mild detergent which does NOT contain "optical brighteners".
Most labels on laundry detergents do not state whether or not it contains optical brighteners. By contacting the individual laundry detergent manufacturers the following list was compiled of detergents which do contain optical brighteners and those which do not:
DETERGENTS WHICH ARE OKAY TO USE: 
Bold Powder
Cheer Liquid (all versions)
Cheer Powder (all versions)
All Powder (all versions)
Surf Powder (all versions)
Woolite (all versions)
DETERGENTS WHICH ARE NOT OKAY TO USE:
(CONTAINS OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS)
Dreft Liquid
Dreft Powder
Era Liquid (all versions)
Gain Liquids (all versions
Gain Powders (all versions)
Ivory Snow Liquid
Ivory Snow Powder
Tide Liquids (all versions)
Tide Powders (all versions)
Tide Tablets (all versions)
Fab (all versions)
Dynamo (all versions)
Ajax (all versions)
THE ACU CARE POLICY (Cont.)
CONTAINS OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS (Cont.)
Suavitel Fabric Softener (all versions)
All laundry products made by Colgate-Palmolive
Arm & Hammer Liquid (all versions)
Arm & Hammer FabriCare Powder (all versions)
Arm & Hammer Fresh ‘n Soft Fabric Softener (all versions)
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Rain Drops Water Softener and Detergent Booster
DeliCare Fine Fabric Wash (all versions)
Wisk (all versions)
All Liquid (all versions)
Surf Liquid (all versions)
Yes (all versions)
All Dial Laundry Products including:
Purex Powder (all versions)
Purex Liquid (all versions)
Purex Fabric Softener (all versions)
Purex Baby (all versions)
20 Mule Team Detergent (all versions)
Zout (all versions)
DETERGENTS WITH QUESTIONABLE CONTENTS:
(SHOULD PROBABLY AVOID)
Spray ‘n Wash (all versions)
Calgon (all versions)
Generic Brands: If you're using a store brand or "generic" detergent the label might tell you to "compare to [brand]" on the front panel. Match that to the lists above to see if it's okay to use.
Additionally, turning the uniforms inside out while laundering prevents the Velcro from attaching to other items and prolongs the usefulness of the Velcro.
