falcemob you're a tease! - not a special detergent, just a detergent based powder. Ariel, Daz OK IIRC but avoid Persil, Surf and other soap based powders.
Reason is that in hard water areas, soap reacts with the water to leave a flammable white deposit (calcium?) which isn't what you want! No worries on the fabric rotting (well, not now Persil not using their super power mix anyhow)
MGD - actually Nomex instructions aren't that clear. Best washing instructions I've seen say: "WOMAN Read the washing instructions carefully and don't make a cock up of my best bit of kit" on the inside of my cycling jacket
Strangely enough Mrs MM makes me wash that one meself
