- Wash Weekly
- Posts
- Why So Blue?
Why So Blue?
Understanding the scientific and psychological reasons why most laundry detergent is blue.
Good morning Wash Weekly Family,
Have you ever wondered why laundry detergent is predominantly blue?
Well, I kind of had an idea of why, but after a conversation with Jessica Johnson-Cope, I decided to dive into this topic in this week’s issue.
Science and Psychology
So, let’s explore the science and data behind blue laundry detergent.
The Psychology of Blue
Color plays a significant role in consumer products, and laundry detergent is no exception.
Blue has been a popular choice for detergent packaging due to its psychological impact on consumers.
Blue evokes a sense of cleanliness, freshness, and purity. Studies have shown that blue is also associated with trust, reliability, and efficiency, making it the ideal color for cleaning products.
Stain Removal Perception
Blue is a complementary color of common stains, such as yellow or orange, and creates a visual contrast that enhances the perception of cleanliness.
This visual contrast makes customers feel that their clothes are being cleaned effectively, even if the actual cleaning power may not vary significantly between different detergent colors.
Optical Brighteners
These are chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light.
By enhancing the whiteness and brightness of fabrics, optical brighteners give the impression of cleaner clothes. The blue color of detergent helps mask any residual yellowing or dullness in clothing, making whites appear whiter and colors appear more vibrant.
These agents are added to laundry detergent as optical brighteners:
Optical brightening agents (OBAs)
Fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs)
Fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs)
These chemical compounds absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet light regions.
They are often used to enhance the appearance of fabric and paper color, causing a whitening effect — so it cleans some and then fools my eye into thinking the clothing is cleaner than it is. Sneaky 😏.
Potential Drawbacks
Now that we’ve looked at the science and psychology behind blue laundry detergent, let’s look at some potential drawbacks when processing clothes for our clients.
Potential Staining or Discoloration
While blue detergent is designed to enhance the perception of cleanliness, it may lead to unintended stains.
Every wonder where some of those stains on an order you just processed came from?
In certain situations, especially when using excessive amounts or if the detergent is not properly diluted, the blue colorant can stain or discolor certain fabrics. That’s why you sometimes see blue stains on garments after washing them.
Light-colored or delicate garments, such as whites, pastels, or silks, may be particularly susceptible to discoloration.
Solution: dilute with water in a container before adding to the wash cycle. Make sure there is a good amount of water in the machine before adding the detergent.
Allergies and Skin Sensitivities
Blue colorant, along with other additives in laundry detergents can sometimes trigger allergic reactions or irritate sensitive skin.
It is crucial to be mindful of this drawback for your clients.
Solution: Offer alternative detergent options, such as dye-free or hypoallergenic options, to accommodate clients with specific needs.
This is an opportunity to not only offer the client more options to please them, but to also make additional income. You can up-charge for additional detergent options (organic, All Free & Clear, etc.).
Cost Considerations
Blue laundry detergents, especially those marketed by well-established brands, may come at a premium price compared to generic or colorless alternatives.
The cost of using blue detergent can significantly impact your overall operational expenses, especially if you are processing a high volume of laundry.
It is important to carefully assess the cost-benefit ratio and determine whether the perceived advantages outweigh the additional expenditure.
Solution: buy in bulk and buy from a detergent manufacturer. Not like P&G, but from local detergent manufacturers. You can find them on Google.
Environmental Impact
Some blue colorants used in laundry detergents contain synthetic dyes that can have an adverse effect on the environment.
When wastewater containing these dyes is discharged into water bodies, it can contribute to water pollution and harm water life.
As laundromat owners, it is crucial to be mindful of the environmental impact of the products we use and consider eco-friendly alternatives that minimize harm to our planet.
Opportunity: remove these products from our offerings and position your business differently than your competitors. Be eco-friendly.
It’s crucial to evaluate both the pros and cons of using blue laundry detergent. Finding the right balance between meeting client expectations, maintaining high cleaning standards, and considering potential risks is key to providing a great service for your clients.
And understanding how the color blue creates a perception in your mind is good, too.
—---
TL;DR:
There are scientific and psychological reasons that most laundry detergent is blue
Understand the downfalls of using blue laundry detergent
Make the choice that is best for your clients
Airing out some not-so-dirty laundry every Sunday!
Waleed 🏴☠️
🧰 RESOURCES
📺 Latest Videos
🗞 IN THE NEWS
📆 EVENTS
❝ QUOTE OF THE WEEK
No person will make a great leader who wants to do it all themselves or get all the credit for doing it.
-Andrew Carnegie
🎤 WEEKLY WASHERS REVIEW
Selected 😁 Loved It and wrote
Reply