Wool Kare Cold Water Soap by Columbia Minerva

On the inside back cover of Columbia Minerva 732, published (I believe) in 1960 is this full page advertisement. 

Well, I didn't know that Columbia Minerva, in addition to their yarns and threads, also produced a washing detergent.   Of course, it's a good fit .... knit the sweater with Columbia Minerva Yarn, and then care for the garment with Wool-Kare. 

I found a footnote in a Google book excerpt indicating the product brand was purchased from another company, but other than than, I've found no other references to it's history, other than a few newspaper ads. 

1956 -- "is mat and shrink resistant, comes in powder or liquid form.  Softens water, makes whites whiter, colors brighter.  Just immerse, squeeze, rinse". 

1957 --  "There's a secret ingredient, V-99 ... No blocking is needed because the bath protects the the original shape"

A variety of Art Needlework Departments regularly placed the product on sales promotion, such as this one.

And then, in 1964, the ads stopped.    I assume Wool-Kare was a re-branded product (made by some other company, who applied the Columbia Minerva label).    Perhaps it didn't turn out to be a profit maker and they called it quits in the Cold Water Soap Market. 

And that, I admit not much, is all I know.   Perhaps you know more and would be willing to share?

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie 

Lux Detergent Flakes, Vintage Promotions

Lux Detergent Flakes first appeared in the market in 1925 -- a product of Unilever. Actually, the product goes back to 1899, when it was called Sunlight Flakes. The mild detergent became quite popular worldwide. It had a great consumer recognition from the Lux Brand Bathing Soap, that, with time, gained a worldwide market.

Lux was a frequent advertiser in newspapers and magazines. At times, they branched into the needlework arts arena and placed 'promotional' material in pattern booklets as well.  

Here, Lux gives directions not only on the use of their product in hand washing of knit or crocheted items, but continued on to include starching and stretching as well.   This ad appeared in .....

Bernhard Ulman Volume 119 - Hand Crochet Decorations.  (This pattern book is reviewed in a blog post at Todays Treasure Pattern Shop, should you be interested).

Lux advertised in many of the women's interest magazines and newspapers as well.

In this 1940 delight, we are reminded that Lux will take care of our odor issues. 

And here in this 1951 advertisement, Barbara Stanwyck alerts us that Lux is an excellent choice for lingerie.   With the popularity of movies, stars became popular in the advertising medium.

And here, in this 1957 gem, we are shown that Lux keeps our garments looking great wash after wash.  

I know I've seen other Lux promotion in a couple of the other pattern booklets.   One of these days I'll have to take another glance through and see what other goodies I might find.  

Okay ... back to work.   Thanks for dropping by.  

Woolfoam Detergent for Your Handknits

In addition to Lux, there was another player in the 1940's detergent field ... The Woolfoam Corp.  (Associated with The Wool Novely Co., and Oakhurst Medicine).     I first noticed them in the Winter 1944-45 issue of Modern Knitting.   

WOOLFOAM  -  The perfect Wool Cleaner for washing for Infants Wear, Sweaters, Socks, Blankets and all fine Wools and Woolens.  

A short visit through Newspapers.com showed they started advertising in newspapers mid 1944. 

This ad appeared in about a dozen markets across the United States in 1944 as well.  

And was updated with several other ads through the end of the 1940's.   This advertisement was in the market mid 1945.   

The ads started fading out in 1947, but remained sporadic all the way into 1957.   And then ... Gone.  Now, it appears the company, which was a division of Wool Novelty Co., is still out there, but it doesn't appear soap is in their line-up.    

I'm sure I'll find more tid-bits as I work through my magazine inventory and will update this post should anything interesting appear.  

 

Thanks for dropping by,