Prussian Blue

Blueing and starching our laundry is a bit of a forgotten art. Today we dump in some modern chemical bleach and call it good, but our foremothers had a much different approach. Along with this bottle of Prussian blue are directions for starching and blueing your linens in a period correct manner. A trade card for Robert Jenkin, oil-man, at the Oil Jar, in Fleet Street near the Market, London advertises that it he “Sells all sorts of fine oils likewise . . . powland &c. comn. starch . . . common powder blue”. No need to fear, there is no oil in our blueing. This oil man sold more than oil, he sold all sorts of household items.