Mary Ellen's Best Press problem
 

Has anyone had an issue with Best Press dissolving furniture finishes? I had some peaches and cream in a spray bottle that had drizzled down the edge of the bottle. I didn't notice it for several days. When I picked it up the finish on the cherry table had dissolved into a gooey liquid. It took all of the finish completely off. Now I'm worried about what this might be doing to my fabrics as I don't always rinse it out. I've emailed the company, but no response. Has this happened to anyone else or has anyone noticed a problem with fabric over time?
Thanks for any info you can give me.

I quit buying Best Press because the company refuses to list the ingredients. I'd be interested to know if the company responds to your email.

That's scary...
Kirsten

I had never used best press before and won a bottle at guild. I used it and found that I had breathing problems every time I was using it. Will not use it again. It was the peaches & cream. I now use the bottle for my stand by starch/water mixture. Will not use best press again.

I have never tried it because it is expensive. That is very scary if it removes a finish off a piece of furniture!

Yes, ridiculous price! I bought a (plastic!) bottle of vodka (used for making homemade BP) for $5.99 and it will last me the rest of my life! And will not melt my table (or will help ease my sorrow if it does!)

I don't care for the smell and it didn't do anything to my fabric.
In fact my fabric was more limp than before using it. I make my
own starch and I'm happy.

Kitsie, I like the way you think.:thumbup:

I have the spray starch in a can, a can of sizing and the Sta-Flo which I dilute. Just going near the Best Press makes me sneeze and that's just on the shelf in the store. I thought it was too pricey even with a coupon. not worth the headache.

Wow, this is good to know. I was going to try it when this can of spray starch is gone. The last time I bought spray starch I bought 4 cans less than $2.00 each. As I started using my last one thought I'd better pick up more. Our super Walmart has 4 cans, now $5.97 a can. That is all the starch I can find in town. Stay flo , I've never seen. I did try some from the dollar (the only other place I've seen spray starch). I've tried twice and shortly after it just stops spraying. Lots of product in can.

I sew with several different groups, and when there is a retreat, a bottle of Best Press sits on the end of the ironing board. Sometimes I am the one who contributes the Best Press, but I always buy unscented. Some members have mentioned that they prefer or dislike a particular scent, but so far, I have not heard any comments about it being detrimental to fabric over the long term. I have noticed that the metal cabinets behind my ironing board are gummy from the Best Press overspray.

People swear by it but I found it to be utterly useless as a starch. It does release wrinkles - BUT so will water. However, I have to confess I keep a bottle around just for the scent - the Linen scent is so good I actually ironed bed sheets for the first time in my life. : )

Stay Flo or homemade is best and both are non-aerosol (mix cornstarch with boiling water and add cheap vodka once cooled to prevent mold. Store in the refrigerator for longer shelf-life).

I'm with Kitsie!

I only use Best Press when I get one as a gift -- it gives me a headache. I make the Sta Flow -- I do a couple of strengths so if I need super stiff fabric (when I am working with biases) I can use one and the lighter one for pressing just washed fabric.

I purchased a bottle of best press no scent. I don't feel it makes any difference to the fabric after spraying. I do sneeze after using it.

I only buy the unscented Best Press. I would never set a container of any liquid on a piece of wood furniture.

I tried both scented and unscented versions of BP when they first came out. The scents bothered me, so I stopped using those. You can use JA coupons to keep the cost down. The BP can be diluted with water; the amount is up to you. It may not provide the same stiffness as starch does, but it is just right for me.

I've never had a problem with using Best Press....no headaches from fumes, but then again I only use the clear and not the scented such as Peaches and Cream or the Lavender Maybe the problems start with the scents.

Try running hot water over the little sprayer. Sometimes the starch dries in that tiny hole. Or soak it with the can upside down in a bow/pan/bucket.

Interesting. I have used best press for years with no problems! I actually prefer it over spray starch. But that is a major bummer about your table, though. I wonder if spray starch dissolves finishes also? I guess I need to be more careful where I set things that could leak!

I like it but would love the vodka recipe. I can't find it anymore! I also like Magic Sizing from the grocery store!

Yes, I've had starch remove the finish on a nightstand and it wasn't Best Press. I didn't realize that it had leaked down the side and it took the finish off. This can happen with any liquid that stands for a day or two.I now use a coaster under any liquid I use. I use Best Press and love it. I buy by the gallon jug at Walmart. I love the smell of the lavender and it makes my fabric stiff enough to do what I need I don't have any sticking or white residue .Supposedly it won't attract bugs and that important to me. Sometimes after I wash a quilt I will iron and starch it to give it a fresh look. I haven't had any bug problems but can't guarantee it's because of the best press. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, allergies and so on so you have to judge for yourself. One Best Press advocate. Good luck with whatever you decide to use but remember to protect your furniture.

I use BP all the time, Lavender is my favorite. I buy it at Joanns when I have a 40% off discount and buy the gallon jug. It can also be diluted. I'm not surprised but sorry for you that it took finish off. I would have expected that. and yes the overspray is gummy. again, not surprised. This is not water you are using. I feel like it starches my fabric with a wonderful feel. I understand some people have a sensitivity to the smell. I love it!

If there is a product that can damage wood furniture, I've probably done it. Even water can ruin cherry wood's finish. I would worry much more if BP or any fabric spray damaged Formica or tile or a non-wood counter top.

And yes, I love BP with the lightest scent only. But I did have a hand-dyed red fabric bleed across the seam line of a scrappy quilt when I failed to press it soon after spraying.

Best Press is sizing - not starch. I use Magic Sizing in the green can and it works great. I don't use starch because I live in south Florida and starch is a food source for critters. And we have enough problems keeping critters out without ringing the dinner bell!! LOL!! Sizing is not a food source so I don't worry about using it and leaving it in the fabric. But the only place I can find it is Winn-Dixie. Everyone else only has the blue can and not as good. You can get your fabric really stiff with repeated sprayings and ironing in between. My 2 cents worth.

I love it! Never any problems. I use the unscented tho due to alergies.

That is wild...That is why I only use the starch I make...

kbeuchert, I also use the Mary Ellen's Best Press and I only buy the lavender. I love the smell! I am happy to see that JoAnn's stocks it too! I use my coupons on that and love it when they have notions 60% off.......it is considered a notion too! Yipee! ! ! ! !

I have bought one bottle of Best Press but expect it will be my last. I really don't want something like that on my fabrics. I bought it to try and get that center fold out of some fabrics but it has really not been the answer. Plus it is far too expensive.

Many years ago I had the same thing happen to the finish on an end table when a bottle of scented oil was placed there and some of the oil obviously ran down the bottle. There's still a ditched ring in the finish all the way to the wood. I just keep something over the ring. My guess is it's the scented essential oil in he Best Press that did the damage.

To to get strong creases out of fabric....I think white vinegar and water? Equal parts? Read it somewhere.....
also, if I need to(rarely)' I too use sizing...no starch, no bugs.........never tried best press, seems expensive for what it's supposed to do......JMHOJMHO

https://maryellenproducts.com/pdf/MS...%20Press-L.pdf

wow, they really are secretive! I have some BP, but don't find it does much for the stiffness of the fabric. I'm not a starcher by nature and have some Niagara in the pump bottle that I use sometimes.

My Walmart carries Sta-Flo in the laundry aisle, by the other canned starches. It's in a blue plastic bottle the same shape as a bleach bottle. I've used it for years and love the stuff !

I use Magic Sizing from WalMart for 99 cents. I know it has a blue lid but I switched to that from Best Press.

Has anyone else had problems with Mary Ellen Best Press? It seems every time I use it, I can't stop coughing. I like the way it works, but I don't like not being able to breathe when I use it.

I started using Best Press when I started quilting at the suggestion of my instructor and it was available for use in the classroom. I still like it and use it, always looking for a coupon or discount:) I am very sensitive to smells but haven't had a problem so far. I like their lavender scent and many other lavender scented products give me a headache. But if I am working on a project where I want a stiffer finish, like for tiny pieces, I do use a can of spray starch. Don't always need that much stiffness.

I make my on, like being able to make a little heavy or med. Add a little scented smell. I really like it, first heard about on this board thanks

Good to know thank you,

What is the ratio to water for this? And how many shots does the "Ironing Attendant" get?..........LOL

To make your own Best Press you need 3 water to 1 Vodka so you can make as big as you want or as little was you want.