What Is Laundry Bluing? This Vintage Method Is Key to Brighter Whites

When it comes to laundry products, new stain-treating and odor-eliminating products tend to get all the attention. But it can be worth revisiting vintage housekeeping formulas and methods that have fallen out of fashion—like laundry bluing. 

Laundry bluing is a product that is used to restore white laundry and linens. 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 and environmentally-friendly alternative to 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?" The answer is that adding a small amount of blue coloring to white and light-colored clothing and household linens like sheets and towels can help to restore fabrics that have taken on a yellow cast—making them look white.

Yellowing can happen with age or from the buildup of body oils. Yellowing can also be caused by residue from laundry products (like detergent and fabric softener), leaving white and light-colored items looking dirty and dingy. Because blue tones counteract yellows when it comes to color perception, they are often used to eliminate the appearance of yellowing. In addition to eliminating yellowing in whites, bluing can also help to counteract yellow stains—like mustard—and can be used to restore or deepen the blue color of denim.

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. Because it is not a dye, laundry bluing does not cause permanent stains, making bluing mishaps easy to reverse. 

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. Bluing should be used in concert with regular laundry detergent, but should not be combined with other laundry products, including liquid fabric softener, chlorine bleach, and oxygen bleach.

 

Where to Buy Laundry Bluing

Liquid bluing can be found in grocery and home improvement stores, or purchased online. Laundry bluing bars, powder, and tablets can be harder to find in brick-and-mortar stores, but can typically be purchased online. Until recently, bluing bars were hard to find in the United States, but they're now available from online retailers—and make an excellent addition to a collection of stain removal products.

 

How to Use Liquid Laundry Bluing

Liquid bluing must be diluted before use. Always dilute bluing prior to adding it to the washer to prevent staining caused by direct contact with fabrics. Typically, the dilution ratio for liquid bluing is ¼ teaspoon to 1 quart of water, but always consult the usage guidelines on the bottle, as instructions vary from brand to brand. To use bluing to restore or deepen blue denim, use a more concentrated ratio of 1 teaspoon of bluing to 1 quart of water. When diluting liquid bluing, mix it in a glass or metal container, as bluing will stain plastic.

For top-load washers: After diluting liquid bluing according to the package instructions, begin filling the drum of a top-load washer with water by starting the washer cycle. Then, add the bluing to the wash water; it is best not put bluing in the machine's automatic dispensers to avoid staining the plastic, as well as to prevent the bluing from staining fabrics.

For front-load washers: To use bluing in a front load washer, you will have to employ the machine's drawers, and staining can be an issue. To reduce staining, if the dispenser compartments do not lock when the washer is in use, add the diluted bluing to the load once it has started to fill with water by pouring the bluing into the largest compartment. If the dispensers are locked once the cycle begins, add the bluing to the largest compartment before starting the machine.

 

How to Use Bluing Bars and Tablets

Before using a bluing bar or tablet, always consult the package instructions. Bluing bars can be used to pretreat stains, such as sweat rings around shirt collars or 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 to hand wash clothing and household linens.

To use a bluing tablet, wrap the bluing in a cotton or muslin cloth and dip it in a basin of water, gently squeezing the cloth while stirring the blue into the water. Then, add the whites one by one to the solution, keeping them moving by using a swirling motion with your hand and then removing them after a brief dip in the bluing solution.

Bluing bars and tablets can also be grated and added to the wash, or used in a DIY laundry detergent to lend extra whitening power.

 

How to Remove Stains Caused by Bluing

Overusing or incorrectly using bluing can cause stains, but because bluing is not a dye, it can be removed from fabrics. Mrs. Stewart's (one of the most popular bluing brands) recommends using household ammonia to remove bluing stains. If they do happen, the brand suggests using the following method:

• Mix a solution of ½ cup household ammonia and 1 quart cold water in a large bucket with a tight lid, or in a large plastic bag that can be closed with a twist tie. (If using a bag, Mrs. Stewart's recommends placing it in a container to prevent leaks.)
• Soak the stained items in the solution for 24 hours, or until all traces of the bluing are gone.
• Wash the item as usual, avoiding the use of chlorine bleach or any products that contain it, as ammonia and bleach creates toxic fumes when mixed.

When using ammonia, be sure to work in a well-ventilated space, as the fumes from ammonia are quite strong and irritating to the respiratory system, and wear household gloves to protect skin. Ammonia also evaporates quickly, so ensuring the container or bag has a tight seal is essential.

 

 

Sources:

• All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
• Kerr, J. (2024, September 18). What Is Laundry Bluing? This Vintage Method Is Key to Brighter Whites. Retrieved from https://www.bhg.com/what-is-laundry-bluing-8710853