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starch and ironing

bella

(website)

Veteran

Do you use starch when ironing your clothes? I just tried it and I really like it.
If you have time for reading the backstory, continue. If not, skip to the end for the bit about starch.

***
I've recently started to lean a bit more towards a clean, simple and polished aesthetic. Since I cannot really afford to buy more expensive but high quality items, I decided to try to achieve the desired effect by downsizing my wardrobe and maintaining a smaller number of items, which I then keep in excellent shape and try to replace as soon they start showing signs of wear. To that effect, I purchased two shirts from NY&Co around February. They were $15 each, and I have worn each of them about 15 times, so I have definitely reached my target cost-per-wear range. Now, I realized that having been washed so many times, the collars and sleeves of the shirts don't look as crisp as the first day. Even though I've gotten my money's worth out of these clothes, I don't want to part with them yet, because they are still in great shape. Just not as crisp as the first day.

Then I remembered that my mom used to starch my uniforms. I had to wear a uniform for grade school and it had detachable, white collars. My mom would wash, starch and iron them every weekend and they would be so stiff that they would hurt my neck!:) She would use the old fashioned, liquid kind. This gave me an idea, I decided to starch my shirts.

***

I purchased the spray kind, in a can. I used it both my shirts and my husband's shirts. The results are amazing! First of all, the shirts are so much easier to iron when sprayed with starch. Secondly, they look absolutely impeccable!
The only downside is that, I heard that starching can shorten the life-span of some items, as it damages the fabric a little bit.
Anyways, I wanted to pass this bit of old wisdom in new disguise, in case anyone is in a similar situation and looking for a solution.

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Aida

Veteran

Excellent information, I'm curious about the shorter life span. I've got a couple shirts that could really benefit from this as well, thanks Bella!

Diana

Veteran

Interesting! I've never tried starch, but i think some of my shirts could benefit from it. I think someone here actually suggested that I try it on my ruffled shirts, but to be honest I have always been afraid of starch. It just seemed way beyond my remedial ironing skills!

Question: is it colorless, or does it leave a residue or film on dark clothes?

Kristine

Veteran

Sure, I love spray starch, it must be a carryover from my military days. Everything had to be crisp so we always had it on hand. You can buy it in different strengths too, up to super heavy (which you probably don't want!). Diana, it shouldn't leave a residue, just mist lightly.

Beth

Veteran

Bella, it's funny you're posting this tonight...I just sat down after starching and ironing dinner napkins:)

I use spray starch on my shirts too and I love the finish and feel they have afterwards. I hate a limp shirt!

Diana, if you use a light hand and let the starch sink in for a few seconds, you should have any residue problems.

taylor

Veteran

If I iron it...it gets starched...yep even my denim:) I just like the crispness of it. I am not too great at irononing so truth be told...most go to the cleaners!

I like the idea of streamlining your wardrobe...really makes things seem more meaningful and controlled.
I have implemented a new rule for my closet. If I don't LOVE it out it goes! I have a rather large wardrobe, So I am surprised how many items actually do make the cut because I really do love them..even though I may not wear them very often .

bella

(website)

Veteran

Aida - I am not really sure exactly how much it damages the fabric. On the other hand, I read somewhere that in the past they used starch so that they could clean the clothes more easily. When you use starch, sweat and dirt sticks to the layer of starch (instead of sinking into the fabric itself) and washes away more easily.

Diana - It is colorless and as other ladies suggested, if you use it according to the directions on the can, it should not leave a residue. By the way, I have remedial ironing skills as well and this was a huge boost, especially when ironing shirts.

Kristine - I purchased Faultless brand, and it says super heavy on the can but I don't think it is as stiff as the liquid stuff my mom used to use!:)

Yay Beth, high five! You are a better woman than I am, I don't think I would bother ironing dinner napkins, especially since I don't have any!:)

bella

(website)

Veteran

Taylor - we must have posted at the same time. Yes, the dry cleaners do this with pretty much every item of clothing, that's why everything looks so great after being dry cleaned!

Refugee

Veteran

I'm kind of an ironing geek. So I have a couple of kinds of starch on my wardrobe maintenance shelf mixed among the jug of distilled water, bleach, various stain removers, soaps and other odd implements.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Great thread! So much useful information here. Thanks bella.

Kristine

Veteran

I saw this tip yesterday when I was poking around about spray starch. It might be worth a try.

http://www.marthastewart.com/2.....ray-starch

Queen Mum

Veteran

*slaps forehead with hand* I too have had problems with starch leaving a residue. It never occured to me to read the directions on the can! I used to use it all the time, but haven't lately. I"ll pull it out again and try following the directions.
Beth~ I'm speechless.

.... off to starch and iron my sheets me? competetive? no, not much.

MNsara

Veteran

bella - I'm inspired to try it! I like the idea that it may help keep dirt from getting in the fabric fibers. I seem to create a grubby neck ring that is always tough to get out and this might help!

I also really like your thoughtful approach to your wardrobe.

(beth - please tell me those were dinner napkins for 'entertaining' - not for 'everyday' . . !)

April

Veteran

Taylor, please hop on a plane with all your "don't love it" items and come to our East Coast swap next weekend.

I have starch but haven't used it on clothes in years (must have bought it for some other project). Bella, you've inspired me...

Maya

Veteran

Refugee, you should consider opening your own professional ironing service. Dry cleaning is too expensive, but just ironing and pressing is something I'd pay for!

I have never used starch but I'll try anything that makes this loathsome task easier.

Scarlet

Veteran

I was always curious about starch. It seems like something I would love, but I never knew were one buys such a thing. Bravo on your wardrobe discipline. I am still building mine like a mad woman. I always think maybe I use up all my logic at work.

Sheila

Veteran

Confession: I love ironing, always have...maybe it comes from constantly pressing seams when I was sewing so many things years ago...also I'm absolutely bewitched by transformation (before & after shots of people, rooms, etc) and getting rid of wrinkles and bumps kind of comes under this category. But I have never starched anything. Maybe I should try it, but I honestly don't think I will.

Beth

Veteran

You all are too funny.:P

I was washing and ironing my napkins after using them for...*cough*...my 4am Royal Wedding Tea Party. I doubt I'll pull them out again until Thanksgiving:)

FWIW, I really dislike ironing clothes. All those turns and little tiny spots to reach. But napkins are fun! Flat, easily done and very satisfying.

Now does this post make me look nerdier than ever or have I redeemed myself?

bella

(website)

Veteran

Beth - how was your tea party? We need to see pictures!

san

Veteran

I just ironed several shirts, which I had been putting off for quite awhile. I used Niagra Fabric Sizing from a spray can. The product is less stiff than starch and made the iron glide smoothly over the fabric and the shirts look so nice.

I've always heard that when using starch, "let it dry or you will cry". I think the startch can scourch if ironed too wet.

Joy

Veteran

Sandy, I've never heard that little saying and will remember it.

cloud9

Veteran

Interesting.... has any one tried starch when using a garment steamer?

Joha

This is a great thread! Just bought a can yesterday for a DIY project. And now I just wanted to check in YLF before I have to iron what seems to be mountains of clothes *must not put off ironing for so long*

So I am off now. Trying starch. Who knew ...

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am just reviving this thread briefly to say that starch is amazing for ironing linen. It makes the iron glide over the fabric. Starching cut my ironing time in half and changed the whole ironing experience.

bj1111

Veteran

bella, how did i miss this thread the first time around. i love to iron, when i'm in the mood, especially men's shirts. one of the housewifely skills my dad taught me. starch is the bomb!!!

Freckles

Veteran

Fantastic info, thanks.

The sales associate where we bought my son's suit a few years back told us that getting the shirts starched at the drycleaners shortened their life but didn't give a reason why.

His shirts sure look killer starched though!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Sheila, can you come and live with me please?

Bella, thank you for reminding me of starching the shirts. I could not put my finger down on what it was that I didn't like about my white shirts. Will try asap.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm lazy and purchase the BB non iron shirts on sale, just so I don't have to iron. However, my steamer comes out to play at least once or twice a week. Every week. I even steam my jeans. I'm going to keep the starch idea in mind though, because I still have a few non BB shirts that I have to iron all the time.