All About Starch!!!!!!

[volvoguy87]

Hi, I'm Dave and I have a starch problem.

I grew up in a household where starch didn't exist. I never even tried it until after I finished grad school. First it was a little Niagra Original in a can. Eventually that wasn't enough so I switched to Niagra Heavy in a can. Before I knew it, that still wasn't enough and I started mixing my own at the sink. Now I use Linit by the jug and mix it with water in a large spray bottle. I like my starch somewhere between heavy and oppressive, and I've even been known to starch my pillowcases. I haven't starched denim though. I'm using a circa 1936 dry iron, but own an Ironrite Model 88 in need of a new cover and pad. Once I move into my house, I'd like to practice with it and learn how to use it properly. Right now it takes so dreadfully long to iron it all by hand!

Who else here starches? What are your favored products and methods?
Dave

 

[xraytech]

I'm a starcher here as well, anything I iron I starch.
I typically use Faultless heavy starch in a can, and when I use it I'll starch then iron an item 3 times

I like everything very heavily starched with crisp pleats

 

[rinso]

Heavy starcher here as well. I use liquid starch to avoid the flaking that can happen with spray starch.

 

[yogitunes]

Starcher here too......

I used to starch my partners sleeves so many times, they stuck together, you had to force your hand down thru to seperate, but had the crispest creaseline going down the top side......

I also starch the top sheets for my bed, fold longways, and heavy starch down the center, that crease allowed me to instantly center the sheet on the bed, without checking side to side, over and over.....

 

[michaelman2]

Liquid Starch in the soak cycle, warm to hot water.  Let machine drain but not rinse, then turn to a spin cycle, no rinse again.  Hang to dry and sprinkle down the linen or garment.  Place in plastic bag (dampening bag) refrigerate or freeze until ready to iron...you will never have a better finish on a fabric.  Pain, yep...worth it. 

 

You can also use spray starch for white shirts, spray them down and then place in bag, refrigerate or freeze until ready to iron. Not quite the same ...but in a pinch, works well.

 

[launderess]

If You Are Going To Put Items Through An Ironer

Better to use little to no starch, and be very up on your technique.

Ironers even those sold for domestic use exert vastly more pressure than any human could via hand ironing. The result is that normally items that would be starched come out smooth and with enough body use of the stuff is not required. However should one still wish to do so, a very light amount is best.

Because of the motions of ironers starched fabrics that have layers will basically stick together. This is all fine and well but can create problems as material is fed into the ironer. Often things begin to stick and roll leaving horrible creases and cat whiskers that usually will not come out until the next laundering. The way around this (just) is to separate the layers before item is fed again into the ironer.

Large commercial flatwork ironers usually have rolls wide enough so things can be fed without folding or maybe just once. That in theory should cut down on the above problems, but not always.

 

[ozzie908]

starcher here too

I use starch in the washin machine as spray starch is not as good.
Place the rinsed but not dried items in the washer and use 3 heaped scoops of traditional powdered starch and do a warm to hot wash drain and spin then line dry when you iron you need lots of steam and a hot iron !
Shirts look amazing and hankies are crisp and White.

Austin

 

[countryguy]

I've never used starch and didn't even know it still existed.  I presume it is found in the stores with the laundry detergents, etc.?  What are some popular brands? 

 

[vacbear58]

Spray starch

Although I dont use it on a regular basis I do use spray stach on my shirt if it for a formal occasion and it is good for shirts when travelling to help prevent creasing in transit, even if you do have use of an iron at your hotel etc. I find it works quite well, and i dont have the time (or the inclination come to that) to bother with mixing it up from the powder like my mother used to

Al

 

[tomturbomatic]

I prefer Magic Spray Sizing to starch.

 

[volvoguy87]

Sizing?

What is the difference between starch and sizing?
Dave

 

[westingman123]

Sta-Flo

I don't wear many dress shirts any more, but I do starch curtains, pillow cases, and on the rare occasion sheets. Love, LOVE, Sta-Flo liquid.

Mama always used Niagara spray starch. The smell is heaven, but I don't think it gives as much body.

 

[tomturbomatic]

There used to be a joke about using Right Guard under the arms and Niagra on the inside of the wrists.

 

[ptcruiser51]

Faultless Heavy

I find the best way to avoid "flaking" is to give the item a good blast then let it sit for a few minutes to allow it to soak in. It also seems to "set up" better this way.

Always starch dress shirts and sport shirts but not polos or tees.

Because plain-front pants make me look like an overstuffed sausage, I always wear pleated pants. I give the pleats a good blast, as well as the creases, but not the rest of the garment.

No starch for linens or handkerchiefs. Just my preference.

I used to have ninon sheers in my dining room. One breezy day I had the window open behind them, and they stood straight out like a diving board. I thought, "This is ridiculous!" Now I just let curtains alone.

 

[iheartmaytag]

My mother always starches, she claims it keeps the clothes from getting stained as easily.
When my Dad was alive, she would mix a batch of starch on the stove and dump in the washer during the rinse cycle. Then she would take his slacks out and put them on these wire stretchers when they were dry she would take an iron to the creases and Walla. You could cut yourself on the creases. Mom always preferred Faultless or Red Star.

 

[angus]

Same here. I liquid starch all my dress shirts, cotton pants and shorts. For table linens I still have a stash of Faultless powdered starch with bluing. For the liquid starch, we used Linit for years then in the early 80's I discovered Purex's "Vano" liquid starch. So I would order it by the case and still have a case left. Once Dial bought Purex and acquired the Sta-Flo brand from Staley's, they eliminated Vano and kept the StaFlo brand. I will occasionally use the StaFlo, but prefer Faultless Liquid Starch. Used to be available at KMart here, but now can only order it on line at twice the price, plus shipping.

I too use those pants stretchers my mother had from the 1950's. They really help

 

[whirlaway]

Luv Starch

Everything I iron,I use spray starch and you are right about letting it soak to keep it from flakeing.I still use my grandmothers old GE calrod iron from the 30s and her wooden ironing board.That iron is quite heavy,I have three of them as spares.I also found a smaller one of the same vintage,I guess they were used for cuffs and collars.

 

[rinso]

Pants Stretchers! My mom used those and I've wondered what happened to them.