Mary Ellen’s Best Press vs. Niagara Non-Aerosol Spray Starch
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rockford, Illnois
Posts: 393

I recently purchased and tried both these products and thought I’d make a personal opinion comparison of the two. Here’s what I found.
Both were purchased at my local Hancock Fabric store.
Best Press – 16 oz. paid over $8.00
Niagara – 22 oz. paid less than $5.00
Both products work well for starching; there was no flaking for either product. Besides the bottle size and the price it was the sprayer that showed me the most difference.
The Best Press sprayer dispensed the starch in heavy clumpy droplets. I used the whole bottle in one evening working half of a heavily pieced quilt top.
By comparison the Niagara product sprayed in a fine even mist that allowed me to evenly distribute it, I used it on the other half of the quilt top and was very impressed that it feels as if I still have more than ½ the product left in the bottle.
I had originally thought to use the bottle to make and fill with my own starch product, but at this price for the size with a great sprayer, I’ll continue to purchase and use the Niagara product.
Just my thoughts. Thanks!
Mona
Both were purchased at my local Hancock Fabric store.
Best Press – 16 oz. paid over $8.00
Niagara – 22 oz. paid less than $5.00
Both products work well for starching; there was no flaking for either product. Besides the bottle size and the price it was the sprayer that showed me the most difference.
The Best Press sprayer dispensed the starch in heavy clumpy droplets. I used the whole bottle in one evening working half of a heavily pieced quilt top.
By comparison the Niagara product sprayed in a fine even mist that allowed me to evenly distribute it, I used it on the other half of the quilt top and was very impressed that it feels as if I still have more than ½ the product left in the bottle.
I had originally thought to use the bottle to make and fill with my own starch product, but at this price for the size with a great sprayer, I’ll continue to purchase and use the Niagara product.
Just my thoughts. Thanks!
Mona
#3
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,167

Standing right next to you on this one. I, too, have used both products, and my favorite by far is the Niagra non-aerosol. I think it smells better, too. I can purchase the Niagra at my local grocery store right down the street - not true of the Best Press, which is only available at the quilt shop.
I think I paid $2.99 on sale for my 22 oz Niagra.
p.s. I use my emptied Best Press spray bottle for plain water.
I think I paid $2.99 on sale for my 22 oz Niagra.
p.s. I use my emptied Best Press spray bottle for plain water.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312

I agree , never saw the big deal with the Best press ... lots of $$$ for spraying fabric.
You may find the Stay Flo concenrate to be to your liking.. its about $2.50 for about 1/2 gal of concentrate.. dilute to your needs. Keep your Niagara bottle to use with the concentrate.
I like to custom mix my starch .. some projects .. specifically those with really tiny pieces.. I use it full strength .. it makes a huge difference , alos when paper piecing keeps the larger pieces from folding back on itself when you put it under the needle .
You may find the Stay Flo concenrate to be to your liking.. its about $2.50 for about 1/2 gal of concentrate.. dilute to your needs. Keep your Niagara bottle to use with the concentrate.
I like to custom mix my starch .. some projects .. specifically those with really tiny pieces.. I use it full strength .. it makes a huge difference , alos when paper piecing keeps the larger pieces from folding back on itself when you put it under the needle .
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