Starch question
- Thread starter MasterP
- Start date
I iron and starch all my business/smart casual shirts. To say nothing of my linen napkins, taplecloths, and cotton slacks.
I used to use the spray starch that came in metal cans. But I became concerned about not only the cost ($2-3 week for heavy use) - but also the enviornmental impact of so many steel cans going in the trash.
One option is to by a concentrated liquid starch like Sta-Flo. I usually dilute this 6/1 with distilled water. I put this into a spray bottle, and give my shirts a good squirt prior to ironing. (Tip - its usually best to spray the entire shirt, roll up, and then start ironing. This allows the starch to penetrate into the fabric, so you don't get the "flaking" that occurs when a hot iron touches liquid starch.) I usually keep the spray bottle handy and give collars, cuffs, and placket an extra spray to keep them looking crisp. This ability to vary the quantity of starch over different areas is a big plus to the "spray liquid" approach.
If you REALLY want to save money, you can try making your own liquid starch: a TEASPOON of cooking starch in one pint of distilled water. Mix very well, till all the powder is dissolved. The only (potential) downside is that I'd be concerned about mold growth if you don't use your mixture up right away.
I'll be honest and say I'm not a fan of actually putting starch in with the laundry. Too often my laundry includes items I don't want starched (underwear, t-shirts). I have used Argo Gloss Laundry Starch (a popular brand) - but its also a hassle if you need to remember to put it in just as the machine goes into the rinse cycle. You also need to remember to pull your clothes out of the dryer when they are still damp, and iron them before they finish drying.
I used to use the spray starch that came in metal cans. But I became concerned about not only the cost ($2-3 week for heavy use) - but also the enviornmental impact of so many steel cans going in the trash.
One option is to by a concentrated liquid starch like Sta-Flo. I usually dilute this 6/1 with distilled water. I put this into a spray bottle, and give my shirts a good squirt prior to ironing. (Tip - its usually best to spray the entire shirt, roll up, and then start ironing. This allows the starch to penetrate into the fabric, so you don't get the "flaking" that occurs when a hot iron touches liquid starch.) I usually keep the spray bottle handy and give collars, cuffs, and placket an extra spray to keep them looking crisp. This ability to vary the quantity of starch over different areas is a big plus to the "spray liquid" approach.
If you REALLY want to save money, you can try making your own liquid starch: a TEASPOON of cooking starch in one pint of distilled water. Mix very well, till all the powder is dissolved. The only (potential) downside is that I'd be concerned about mold growth if you don't use your mixture up right away.
I'll be honest and say I'm not a fan of actually putting starch in with the laundry. Too often my laundry includes items I don't want starched (underwear, t-shirts). I have used Argo Gloss Laundry Starch (a popular brand) - but its also a hassle if you need to remember to put it in just as the machine goes into the rinse cycle. You also need to remember to pull your clothes out of the dryer when they are still damp, and iron them before they finish drying.
- Thread starter
- #3
The Sta-Flo would be a really good option. A bottle of it fairly cheap and you can dilute it down with water. Then spray your stuff down as you iron them.
I use that when I quilt religiously. It makes it a lot easier to iron the cotton that I'm working with so i know it would work great for other things. I think I dilute mine with 3 parts water to 1 part starch. You can buy it at walmart and most grocery stores also carry it with the other laundry products.
As someone who makes bath and body products I can honestly say I would not suggest making your own unless it's to be made and used because your in a pinch and you have no other option and the remaining mixture is throwing out when your done using it. Without a preservative mold will grow very quickly and sometimes it's there even before you can see it with the naked eye. And I prefer to leave mold off my body and clothes.
As a fun note about the liquid starch you can also wallpaper your walls with fabric and undiluted liquid starch. Just soak the cloth and put up on the wall. Then when you want to pull it down, just pull the corner and wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove the excess starch. Wash the fabric and it's good for another use. That's how strong the undiluted stuff is.
I use that when I quilt religiously. It makes it a lot easier to iron the cotton that I'm working with so i know it would work great for other things. I think I dilute mine with 3 parts water to 1 part starch. You can buy it at walmart and most grocery stores also carry it with the other laundry products.
As someone who makes bath and body products I can honestly say I would not suggest making your own unless it's to be made and used because your in a pinch and you have no other option and the remaining mixture is throwing out when your done using it. Without a preservative mold will grow very quickly and sometimes it's there even before you can see it with the naked eye. And I prefer to leave mold off my body and clothes.
As a fun note about the liquid starch you can also wallpaper your walls with fabric and undiluted liquid starch. Just soak the cloth and put up on the wall. Then when you want to pull it down, just pull the corner and wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove the excess starch. Wash the fabric and it's good for another use. That's how strong the undiluted stuff is.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks, I am gonna pick up some Sta-Flo. Here's their link with a video:
http://www.staflostarch.com/
As an added benefit, the dirt around your collar will get stuck on the starch.
http://www.staflostarch.com/
As an added benefit, the dirt around your collar will get stuck on the starch.
I've switched to spray starch over the last few years. However, for a long time I was a devoted Sta-Flo user. It worked like a charm in a spray bottle, but I occasionally dip starched things too. When I was in the Marines, we'd rub it directly into our covers (lids, hats, caps) and dry them on a block. It smells great when you're ironing too.
I used to wash my army uniforms with sta-flo... And then starch them with a spay mix of sta-flo and a small amount of water. Let them dry a bit and then iron...
Probably as sharp as some of the straights out there
Probably as sharp as some of the straights out there
- Thread starter
- #8
One way to prevent mold from forming on damp/starched clothes is this. Spray them or dip them, roll them up and put them in a plastic bag. I prefer unused clear plastic bags that you put your grocery store produce in. I'd avoid using black plastic, scented trash bags or any bag with a paited logo. Then tie off the bag and stick it in the fridge. This has worked for two or three days for me. I don't know about longer. There's also something fun about ironing icy cold clothing.
Nothing like it to pep up a cap!
I used to use Sta-Flo straight on all my uniforms. In fact most would be starched, pressed, starched a second time and repressed. Made a sharp looking uniform.
Nowadays I just dilute half and half for my button down shirts.
+1 for Sta-Flo. The beauty of Sta-Flo is your ability to control just how crisp your shirts get. This was my go to with our old uniforms that were required to be pressed/starched every day!
Sorry to resurrect a thread but I just discovered you cannot buy a jug of Sta-Flo locally. The best you can do is order it. I may try the "old azz grocery store fixin-to-get-ready-to-close in the next town".
Don't be sorry, I have just learned about a product (Sta-Flo) that I have never heard of before.
yeah... I used to use the Sta-Flo too. now I just send my stuff out to the cleaners for a medium starch, then closet them until the next wear. I only really need them a couple times a year, these days.
Anything that needs starch goes to my cleaners too. It’s very affordable.
