According to the “Laundering the Army Combat Uniform (ACU)” provided by AAFES: Tide Liquids (all versions), Powders (all versions) and Tablets (all versions) have optical brighteners, which according to the care label in the real ACUs, not the unapproved Chinese copies, are no no for ACUs. The same AAFES lists Woolite (all versions), as ok.
In the “Questionable Contents (Should Probably Avoid)” section is Spray ‘n Wash.
FYI, AAFES doesn’t say what is approved, but in the “Do Not Contain Brighteners:” section the following are listed: Bold Powder, Cheer Liquid (all versions), Cheer Powder (all versions), All Powder (all versions), Surf Powder (all versions), Woolite (all versions).
Finally, you might want to tell mom or those that you authorize to do your laundry to turn the uniforms inside out. This supposedly prevents the Velcro from attaching to other items and “prolongs the usefulness of the Velcro” according to AAFES.
My mom…er I mean I use Tide, so I had to buy a special box for myself.
Red clay is a challenge, good luck.