Bakelite, live!

So many of you found my insights on identifying Belgian linen helpful that I thought I'd offer some more advice today. When it comes to vintage collections, I think I've got most of the bases covered (Jadite, Pyrex, tablecloths, etc.) except for one: Bakelite. Bakelite is this cool, glossy, colorful plastic that was used in a lot of kitchenware. It turns up in buttons, bracelets and radio cases, too. Last Friday, at the same sale where I found the tumble-up, I found a carving set that I was pretty sure had Bakelite handles. More often than not, the plastic-handled kitchenware I've brought home turns out not to be Bakelite. There are a couple of ways to find out.

The way I'm demonstrating involves Scrubbing Bubbles, a clean, white cloth, and my dog. The dog is optional. Apparently he just wanted to be in the picture. Spray some Scrubling Bubbles on the cloth (or a Q-tip) and then rub the piece in question. If the cloth turns yellow, it's Bakelite.

Ready? For visual interest, I'm spraying the Scrubbing Bubbles on the knife handle rather than the cloth. But you probably shouldn't do it this way.

Is this exciting or what???

Yes! We have a winner! My first Bakelite find. (Actually, if you go look on eBay, you'll find about a bazillion butterscotch-colored Bakelite carving sets.)

I thought I'd test some other things, too. I poked around through some of the buttons I bought the same day. If you want to get a button collector really mad (although I don't know why you would), describe any plastic button as Bakelite. It's like, I don't know, calling every casserole dish Pyrex. Some are, some aren't. If a collector is told she's buying a Bakelite button, it darn well better be Bakelite.

This button is Bakelite.

So is this one.

The blue button (shown in earlier pictures) and the red buckle are not Bakelite.

But the red button is. So last Friday turned out to be a little Bakelite bonanza.

I've had this box for a few months. Wanna guess whether it's Bakelite? It's glossy and a little on the heavy side, so I thought there was a chance it might be.

Nope. It's not. But still pretty cute. If you Google "Bakelite," you can find other ways to test for it. I've seen antique dealers rub a handle with their thumb and then sniff for the unpleasant chemical smell that Bakelite produces with heat, but I'm not adept at that. A quick dip under hot running water also works (I tried that with the knife as well), but it's not a portable test. Bakelite makes kind of a clunking noise when two pieces are clicked together, but that, too, takes some practice. There's also a test that involves inserting a red-hot pin into the plastic and waiting for the chemical smell, which seems like a really terrible idea.

Some people also are fairly horrified at the idea of using Scrubbing Bubbles (or Formula 409, which apparently works the same way, but I didn't happen to have it.) I've never had a problem with Scrubbing Bubbles, but you don't want to use it in large amounts, and you should rinse it off right away. If you're serious about Bakelite, you'll want to invest in a tube of Simichrome.

While I was rooting around for my buttons, I found the tag that was on my linen towel. If any of you found my identification technique too confusing, maybe this visual aid will help. I've got a bit of a bug for Belgium this week, I guess, because that's where Bakelite was invented. Woo hoo! Thanks, Belgium!

Comments

[julie]

that is SO cool!

[Lillian Pfohl]

Hi Barbara:
I'm trying not to email work, so decided to leave you a blog comment instead. Will adores the beach - he especially adores chasing the sea gulls (lord help us if he ever manages to catch one). We took him up to Ocean City and went on some rides on the boardwalk - a huge hit! He just about thought he died and went to heaven when we went on the log flume ride. And the ferris wheel was also a big hit. Love you and thinking of you - Lillian

[LiLi M.]

This is really helpful!! I only knew the hot pin method (plastic will melt, so you'll have a disappointment AND a little hole).
See you in two weeks, as I'm going to Paris tomorrow!

[Carla]

Love your Bakelite demonstration--I had no idea! Sticking anything with a red hot pin just doesn't seem like a good idea.

[HeidiAnn]

An interesting, informative, and helpful post - with great pictures, too. Thanks!

[joy~momw3dogs]

I have very much enjoyed finding your blog!
Appreciate your demonstration on determining bakelite-never heard of using scrubbing bubbles, but it sounds the easiest one yet!
Thank You

[susan]

you crack me up! i love the bit about the dog wanting to be in the pic. lol. thanks for the visual, i have never seen the color come off like that. i have done the rub and smell test, but as you say it takes practice to know the stink. such pretty linens!! and is that strawberries hiding under there???hmmmmmm?s

[Shara]

Isn't it fun to find Bakelite! I bought six Bakelite bracelets a few years ago for $3.00 total adn sold them on ebay for $400.00 total. I bought a STOVE with my $3.00 investment! WooHoo! I wanted to mention, in case someone didn't know, that after you use the Scrubbing Bubbles, you need to wash the piece of Bakelite, or the Simethicone in the Scrubbing Bubbles will keep working and make it have a discolored spot.

[Sweet Cottage Dreams]

Now I didn't know Scrubbing Bubbles did that. I have always used 409. Great lesson! Cute stuff, even if it isn't Bakelite.

xo
Becky

PS: Love that fabric!!!!

[Susan]

Hi Barbara, Thanks for visiting :) I've never looked into how you determine the bakelite so this is really helpful. I have a collection of buttons & buckles, I'll have to test but I need to buy some scrubbing bubbles first :) Have a great weekend!

[Carmen @ Thifty Cottage Dreams]

Thanks for sharing this tip! I don't believe I have any bakelite, but I will be searching my house like mad looking for something to test!
Carmen

[karla nathan]

Oh, I have a button collecting friend that I might want to irritate just for the fun of it, thanks for the tip. I'll go rile her up right now.

[Beth Leintz]

I've always used Simachrome polish to test for bakelite, but I bet scrubbin bubbles is cheaper. I always like to have a dog around when I test too- just for luck or something like that.

[tammyCA]

I didn't know that about Bakelite & scrubbing bubbles - I'll have to try it & see if I have any buttons that might be.
Love, love that Belgium fabric!!

[sunshine]

Hi! Numerous sources will tell you NEVER to use a product like scrubbing bubbles on any vintage plastic. it can damage the pieces irreparably whether they are bakelite or not.
best produt to use is called Simichrome polish (for metals) which is a bit pricey for a tube but worth it! not only will you know instantly if it is bakelite (cloth will turn yellow on contact) but you will also shine and polish the pieces, adding to their value.

[Malinda]

this is so cool - I must go home and test all my buttons for bakelite status tonight!

[geek+nerd]

Interesting information - thanks !

[Stephanie Haley]

I have used the Scrubbing Bubbles to authenticate a Bakelite Necklace. It worked like a charm, and it did not harm the Bakelite at all. I had my answer in less than 30 seconds. Cost of Scrubbing Bubbles? About $5.00. Answer to my Bakelite question? Priceless.