This old-fashioned laundry product is the secret to bright white clothing and linens.
But it can be worthrevisiting vintage housekeepingformulas and methods that have fallen out of fashionlike laundry bluing.
Laundry bluing is a product that is used to restorewhite laundry and linens.
Credit:Getty Images / Cris Cantón
It works by counteracting yellowing, which in turn makes your dingy whites look bright white again.
It is non-toxic and biodegradable, making it a non-hazardous andenvironmentally-friendly alternativeto harsh chemical cleaning agents.
And, most importantly, it works very well at what it does.
Learn more about this old-fashioned laundry booster and see why it deserves a spot in your washroom arsenal.
What Is Laundry Bluing?
Laundry bluing is a substance that does just what its name implies: It turns things blue.
You might be wondering, “Why would I want to do that?”
Yellowing can happen with age or from the buildup of body oils.
Bluing is not a dye, but rather a colloid of blue iron salt suspended in water.
It typically also includes additives to prevent bacteria from forming and to balance pH levels.
Laundry bluing is most commonly found in liquid form, though powdered bluing is available in tablet form.
Bluing bars are also available and are excellent for spot-treating yellow stains.
How to Use Liquid Laundry Bluing
Liquid bluing must be diluted before use.
Always dilute bluing prior to adding it to thewasherto prevent staining due to direct contact with fabrics.
When diluting liquid bluing, mix it in a glass or metal container, as bluing will stain plastic.
Bluing bars can be used topretreat stains, such assweat rings around shirt collarsor yellow mustard stains.
To use a bluing bar, wet it and rub it directly on the stains prior to laundering.
Alternatively, bluing bars can be used tohand wash clothingand household linens.
Stewart’s(one of the most popular bluing brands) recommends using household ammonia to remove bluing stains.
Ammonia also evaporates quickly, so ensuring the container or bag has a tight seal is essential.
