Bluing Anyone?

[launderess]

Bleachette, the vintage good stuff.

Go get it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Case-La...399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16027267

 

[supersuds]

Do you use a whole 2 oz. packet in each rinse? I'm sure you've said, but I forgot!

 

[launderess]

No,

Inside each tube there are two pouches of bluing.

One dips the pouch of bluing into water again and again until the proper amount is dispensed. Then the bag is carefully "wiped" and set upon a vented surface to dry. Once dry it is put away until next use.

Bleachette is simply a packaged/ready made version of "dolly blue" bags long used on both sides of the pond. In olden days housewives, laundresses, or whomever was doing the wash purchased either powdered bluing in bulk or cubes, and wrapped the stuff in bits of flannel, cheesecloth, or old linen (my favourite), and used as above.

Find the paper "cloth" used to wrap Bleachettte can tear over time with use, so I rewrap in a bit of old linen from my sewing basket.

 

[launderess]

Here Is What Inside The Box Looks Like

From mine, posted a few years ago.

 

[sudsmaster]

So what is the procedure for using it on one's hair?

 

[launderess]

I'm Sitting On A Gold Mine! *LOL*

Slightly more than $80 for a box of Bleachette bluing? I gave <$10 for mine.

Hmmm, the widow and orphan fund could use a boost! *LOL*

 

[mixfinder]

Mrs Stewarts

Grandma used Mrs Stewarts in a glass bottle. Her laundry room was littered with additives, soaps and detergent but her laundry was always dingy because she was a chronic over loader. The blueing intensified the grayness of everything she washed. My grandmother also had her hair done in finger waves and tinted blue. I hadn't thought it for years and perhaps I'll try some since all my bathroom linens and towels are blazing white.

 

[polkanut]

Oh my gawd Kelly,

That picture of your Grandma reminded me of my Great-Aunt Helen. She wore her almost exactly the same way including the color. In that picture I can definitely see the resemblance between you and your Mom.

 

[mixfinder]

Guilty as Charged

Mom looks like her father and he looks like his mother and I have a bit of all of them. I guess the genes have run directly down hill.

Great Grandma on the bottom left and my grandpa is second from the left just behind his mom.

 

[polkanut]

Kelly,

You have nothing to apologize for. Shortly after my wife and I were married, she took our wedding photos to work one day, and one of her co-workers told her that when she saw my Dad and I standing next to each other, she knew exactly what I was going to look like as I got older. My Dad looks alot like his Dad, my Grandpa Baumann. I consider it an honor to look like a man I admire, and miss very much (Grandpa Baumann).