Bottle - Liquid Starch
Maker and role
Taniwha Products Limited, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1985.35
Maker
Description
A white plastic bottle with yellow screw top containing (¾ full) starch solution. "3/9 Sylvia Liquid Plastic Starch. Contains 'Solitex'. A guaranteed Taniwha Product". Printed on front of bottle. Instructions printed on back of bottle.
Brief History
Plastic starch is a synthetic starching liquid or fabric stiffener. Compared to traditional clothes starch derived from plant matter, plastic starch is a fabric stiffener made from plastic. It was developed as it allowed garments to remain stiffened through several washes whereas traditional starch would need to be reapplied after each wash. Some products even claimed to permanently stiffen clothes.
This bottle of plastic starch was produced by Taniwha Products Limited, previously known as the Union Soap Oil and Candle Company. Taniwha soap and other products were well known and respected throughout New Zealand but was especially prevalent in Northern regions.
This bottle of plastic starch was produced by Taniwha Products Limited, previously known as the Union Soap Oil and Candle Company. Taniwha soap and other products were well known and respected throughout New Zealand but was especially prevalent in Northern regions.
Marks
3/9 Hand-written
Sylvia / Liquid / PLASTIC / STARCH / Contains 'SOLITEX' / A / GUARANTEED / TANIWHA / PRODUCT Printed
Sylvia / Liquid / PLASTIC / STARCH / Contains 'SOLITEX' / A / GUARANTEED / TANIWHA / PRODUCT Printed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Taniwha Products Limited. Bottle - Liquid Starch, 1985.35. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Kiaora Mardy, Thank you for your query. Plastic starch is a synthetic fabric stiffener as an alternative to traditional plant-based starches. Plastic starch had the benefit of being able to persist through several washes before needing to be reapplied.
- MOTAT Curatorial Research posted 8 months ago.
I have the same bottle of plastic starch . What is it?
- Mardy J Walter posted 8 months ago.
ive got an even older bottle, still full same shape but glass!!.
- Jonno posted 10 months ago.