List of detergents that do and do not contain optical brighteners

To the best of our knowledge the list below represents the laundry detergents which do not contain optical brighteners and are able to be used with the ACU (Army Combat Uniform). If you find that one of the below listed detergents are not applicable to a specific category (approved / unapproved) please send an email to webmaster@armystudyguide.com so that we may change the list.

Most detergents do not list if they contain “optical brighteners” so it is difficult to state for sure if a detergent is able to be used to launder the ACU unless the company is contacted directly.



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)

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)

DO NOT CONTAIN BRIGHTENERS: Bold Powder

Cheer Liquid (all versions)

Cheer Powder (all versions)

All Powder (all versions)

Surf Powder (all versions)

Woolite (all versions)