The metal nozzle inside the can rusted. Starch is mostly water. The can was probably old on the shelf when bought or sat in a warehouse a long time. When you get your new can buying a bottle of Sta Flo liquid starch, Walmart has it, would be a good idea to keep on hand. I have noticed it's almost impossible to find spray starch as strong as it use to be, most is ironing spray with a little starch.