STARCH.
Reading edition
Corn Starch.—There are two kinds of corn starch used in the manufacture of sundries, chemicaled and unchemicaled. The former is called sometimes sweet starch, the latter, sour starch. The first only should be used for corn starch in packages, for lump starch in packages and bulk, and for Baking Powder filler. It is not quite as white, having generally a slight yellowish cast, and is not subject to climatic changes to the extent that the other is; the unchemicaled starch is better adapted for general laundry purposes, and is used almost exclusively by the large steam laundries. It is whiter and more nearly resembles wheat starch in its results, but liable at all times without being mixed with some other substance, to get a sour and musty smell with age.
Wheat Starch is the whitest, and contains the most stiffening of any of the starches. Is used principally in preparing new linen products for the market.
Potato Starch, is as its name indicates, made from potatoes. Can be used for all purposes that other starches are used for, but is used principally for food.
Dextrine.—It is manufactured from Potato Starch, and is a substitute for gum arabic which it resembles in its results. The yellow Dextrine is used for making mucilage and gumming envelopes. The white Dextrine only must be used in starch.
Prepared Laundry Starch.—A recent invention.
Wheat Starch 50 Pounds.
Unchemicaled Corn Starch 35 ”
Powdered Borax 15 ”
Sift and mix as on page 12.
Laundry Starch, Powdered.—A cheaper article, and much used.
Unchemicaled Corn Starch 70 Pounds.
Powdered Borax 7 ”
White Dextrine 8 ”
Wheat Starch 5 ”
Powdered Soapstone (Talc) 10 ”
The Talc, being of a soapy or slippery nature, assists in ironing. The first two articles alone make a good starch; it is much superior to the old starching process.
Starch Packing.—Corn Starch for food is packed, one pound in package, 40 to a case. Prepared Laundry is packed 12 ozs. to a package, and from 40 to 64 in a case; as it goes farther in starching than the old way, none can find fault with the short pound, besides it can be sold at a round price adjusting profits satisfactorily to all concerned.
Starch Lustrine.
Spermaceti 1¾ ozs.
Gum Arabic 1¾ ”
Borax 1¾ ”
Glycerine 4½ ”
Rain water 1½ pts.
Flavor to suit.
This mixture can be used either with or without starch. If with starch, add 1 spoonful of this to 1⅛ ozs. of boiling starch.
Liquid Starch Gloss.
Borax solution 2 parts
Pulverized Bleached Shellac 1 part
Water sufficient; mix and digest; is also a good varnish for maps, labels, etc.