Gentlemen, you my want to look at the chemistry involved in dyeing; vinegar is acetic acid and as you would expect very acid; kool aid is slightly acid; Dawn and most soaps will be slightly base (alkaline); there would seem to somewhat balance the pH of the dye job. Frankly, my chemistry, although better in real life than my freshman year, is not that good on why it is important other than for a longer life of the materials.