Question About "La France" Bluing Powder

[launderess]

So yet another recent addition to my stash, a cache of vintage La France bluing powder (so old it has General Mill listed as the maker, and has a free slip on offer), and was wondering about a few things.

Suppose one just adds some of the powder (directions on box say 1/3 cup) along with the detergent to the wash. However was wondering if the stuff will streak and stain like some other bluings. Also since La France makes a big deal about how it whitens and brightens nylons, am assuming it contains OBAs as well as bluing, or is it mainly OBAs in blue powder?

TTFN, and TIA

L.

 

[gansky1]

I think your suspicions are correct on the OBA's, L. I doubt the "bluing" has that much effect, especially after a rinse cycle or two, but it does seem to make things brighter and it's just downright fun to use. Sudsy though, so watch that f/l washer use. I've never had any streaking or staining with any washer - it dissolves pretty quickly.

 

[launderess]

Thanks Ganksy!

Will try some La France when washing linens later this week.

Probably will use a teaspoon or less, and see where that gets me. Can't be too generous, only have about a dozen or so small boxes, and the stuff is hard to come by. Was never impressed with the later versions of La France by Dial Corp, which I think is the one you call highly sudsing. IIRC it contained anionic surfactants, known for being highly froth producing.

L.

 

[gansky1]

I never noticed a difference in manufacturer - I have some 'vintage' boxes downstairs, now I must go have a look!

 

[launderess]

Am not sure of the history of "La France" bluing, but IIRC it was a General Mills product, then sold off to someone else, the Dial Corp bought the brand, but the former company still produced product under contract for Dial.

Heard two stories as to why "La France" stopped production. One was Dial stopped selling the stuff because of low sales,the other version is the company producing the product stopped suddenly leaving no time for Dial to stockpile inventory.

Do know many were VERY upset when shelves suddenly went bare of La France. Have had several unsought emails from persons seeking to purchase my cache. Think if people know La France was going to be discontinued they would have cleared shelves for miles around.

L.

 

[laundromat]

The last company to own la France bluing was Armor/Dial.They stopped making it years ago.The last I saw it was at Walmart on the clearance aisle.

 

[laundromat]

The last company to own la France bluing was Armor/Dial.They stopped making it years ago.The last I saw it was at Walmart on the clearance aisle.

 

[angus]

Actually it was a Purex product for a number of years and was one of the brands Dial inherited when they acquired Purex

 

[polkanut]

Does anyone remember Blu-White? It was the same as La France, just a different name, by the same company.

 

[launderess]

Yes, Dial got Fels-Naptha, La France and a few other "vintage" products when they got Purex. All my vintage bars of Fels say "Purex", which I prefer over the Dial formula.

 

[launderess]

Tried La France with two loads so far, and have to say thing seem "brighter", and no streaking.

Am almost certian the blue colour is there more for effect, and some sort of optical brightening agents are doing the real "whitening". Also from glancing vintage adverts, both Blu White and La France made a point neither simply tints laundry a dull blue, which is a dig at traditional bluings.

Will have to start cornering the market in the stuff. Consider yourselves warned. *LOL*

L.