Wow - very helpful. I had no idea on the detergents and that's on my shopping list. Disappointed that the 20 Mule Team Borax is a no go - that stuff is great for softening hard water so things get cleaner and rinse easier. And Tide is great stuff so I was going to pay more and send that. Thanks for giving list of better choices.

On the insect repellents, the only kind that works is deet so I've been sending that in Deep Woods Off wipes or small concentrated bottles, with a taped note to follow directions carefully. No natural products, Avon products, or other repellents come close at all. Lots of studies prove it, and that's why the DOD chose deet insect repellents for military use. If I remember correctly, Deep Woods Off was best and worked for up to 5 hrs, and Avon products worked for around 10 minutes. I remember that because several friends were sending Avon Skin So Soft and it actually makes things worse for me. Deet wrist bands aren't recommended, either, btw. I discussed insect repellents for my soldiers with my local post master last summer and she agreed that deet is the only thing that works and didn't mention any issue with mailing it so I never thought about that.

I have one of those head tents and have used it on a few still nights when the bugs were especially bad (when no one was around to see me - ha). I live in the country and am a giant mosquito magnet. I feel like Pig Pen sometimes with a cloud hovering around me. The head tent does limit vision a bit so that may be why it's not allowed.