Well, not exactly. But close enough:
Laundry instructions for the (USAF) Airman Battle Uniform specify not using any laundry detergents that contain “optical brighteners.” Optical Brighteners make the ABU more detectable by night vision equipment and make the ABU more visible in a low-light environment of any kind, by reflecting more of any available light, according to a talking paper posted on the Air Force Uniform and Recognition Programs page on the Air Force Portal.
Optical brighteners are chemicals that absorb the ultraviolet and violet region of colors in a fabric. They “trick” the eye into seeing a brighter shade and reflect more light. The Near Infrared, or nIR, capability of the ABU is degraded when washed with optical brighteners.
Most commercial detergents contain optical brighteners. There is no way to tell whether a product has optical brighteners alone by the labeling. Impact of optical brighteners is permanent; it cannot be “washed out.”
This is unfortunately all too typical. What a mess.
(H/T to SJBill for the link)
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