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Do you have a Question about Mrs. Stewart's Bluing?
Below are the most common questions that we get from consumers about MSB. If you have a question that has not been answered here, please Contact Us.
Click on a question below to go to the answer.
Click on "Back to List" at the end of an answer to be brought back to the list of FAQs.
Why Can't I find MSB in my local grocery store?
I love MSB for my laundry. What else can I use it for?
I just tried your MSB and am not seeing the dramatic whitening results I hoped for. Why?
There are no ingredients listed on your bottle of MSB. What are the ingredients?
Can I use MSB on a white shirt that has a color print or color embroidered logo on it?
Why can't I find MSB in my local grocery store?
We ship MSB to grocery warehouses all over the US. If your local store is supplied by a warehouse we ship to, they can get MSB. They can also obtain MSB directly from us. A better question might be 'Why doesn't my local grocery store carry MSB?' We are a one-product vendor and our only product, MSB, is an inexpensive product that moves slowly off the shelves. This is great for the consumer — very economical (low cost, long-lasting). Not so much for the grocer. It's hard to make money on products like MSB for the grocer. This is primarily driven by customer demand. So, we encourage you to talk to the manager or laundry products buyer at your favorite grocery store and ask them to carry MSB! For more information, visit Find MSB in the US.
I love MSB for my laundry. What else can I use it for
MSB has many many uses. A popular science project for kids uses MSB to grow salt crystals. Elderly people like to use MSB to keep their hair looking beautifully white — pet owners do the same with their white pets. Did you ever notice the blue lines on ski race courses — those might be made using MSB. You can brighten fish bait with MSB, color carnations and hydrangeas using MSB, detect plumbing leaks with MSB. Learn about many more uses for MSB at Many Uses.
I just tried your MSB and am not seeing the dramatic whitening results I hoped for. Why?
While many customers DO see dramatic whitening results with their first usage of MSB, others do not. Many reasons can be considered including water hardness, age of the clothing you are trying to whiten, whether the fabric has previously been bleached excessively or whether other stains or products have caused yellowing, etc.
MSB is best used preventively, in every whites load, from the moment you bring a white garment home. This prevents the garment from ever becoming dingy or off-white. If you are new to MSB, we encourage you to use it regularly from this point on and see if, after three to four applications, your garments begin to appear whiter. To understand bluing and how it works better, visit All About Bluing.
I found an old glass bottle of bluing in my grandmother's basement. Will the bluing still work? What is the value of the bottle that I found?
Many people have discovered old bottles of bluing on homesteads and in basements. Afterall, in the early 1900s, bluing was a laundry staple — every homemaker used it to keep white clothes white. Bluing has an indefinite shelf life, so if your bottle still has bluing in it, it will likely work just as it does today. MSB is water-based so evaporation can occur easily. Be aware that the bluing in your old bottle may have concentrated over the years just a bit.
As for value, you'll want to determine the age of your bottle. We can help you do that at MSB History. There is a section about the various bottles we've used over the years. Here in Minnesota, in local antique stores, we've seen old glass bottle, cork still in tact, with bluing in them and a label selling for around $25.00.
There are no ingredients listed on your bottle of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing. What are the ingredients?
The formula for Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is proprietary. MSB is basically a blue iron powder suspended in water. Even in it's concentrated from, MSB is gentle and environmentally friendly. However, it is important to know that MSB is manufactured under non-sterile conditions.
Many ask this question because they have sensitive skin or are allergic to many substances. We cannot guarantee you will not have a reaction to MSB. What we can say is that we have many letters from consumers with sensitivities stating to us that MSB is the only whitener they can use without a reaction.
For more information, please go to MSB and the Environment and to Safety.
I used your bluing. It seems that I used too much and did not dilute it. Now I have blue spots. How do I remove the excess bluing?
Rest assured, bluing is not permanent and regardless of whether you have an accidental spill or misused MSB, it will come out and we are happy to help you. Go to "Back to List
Can I use MSB on a white shirt that has a color print or color embroidered logo on it?
While we make MSB as a laundry whitener, many consumers use it in every load, whites and colors, and tell us that it brightens their colors as well as it whitens their whites. When you whiten with bluing, you are not removing anything (it is not a stain remover or detergent). Instead, you are adding just enough blue to the garment to make it whiter and brighter. So, yes! You can use MSB on your white shirt with color print. For additional information, go to MSB, Denim and Colors.
I'm giving my friend's daughter a "cleaning" basket at her wedding shower. Do you have suggestions for this?
Mrs. Stewart's Bluing, of course! In addition, it might be nice to include Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Home Washing Guide which contains tips on doing laundry better, information about washers and laundry products, as well as a fantastic Stain Removal Guide and
Again, if you have questions that have not been answered here, please Contact Us.