Borax on the hide side to cure and dry the hide I understand. Plain table salt works too. But I have to ask why one would want to wash the entire hide with a harsh detergent like dawn or a fabric softener????? Neither is made for natural hair. That's whats shampoo and condition are made for. Dawn NOT soften the hair, it will only remove the natural oils. If anyone wants to argue this please feel free to wash YOUR hair in either and see was it does your hair. The Dawn will remove the naturals oils in the hair, leaving it quite dry which will only turn it brittle quicker. Fabric softener? Whats the expectation of this?