How to Make and Use Spray Starch

When to Use Spray Starch

Cotton Clothing

Have your kids been using your favorite cotton shirt to play dress-up? Cotton is a wonderful material to wear, but can wrinkle easily. Use spray starch while ironing cotton clothes and they will stay wrinkle-free and fresher-looking for a longer period of time.

Uniforms

Does your son go to parochial school or is your daughter in ROTC? Using spray starch while ironing their clothes will make the creases in pants crisper and skirt pleats lie flatter.

Sewing and Quilting

Does the fabric slip and slide while you are trying to cut intricate corners on pattern pieces for a dress or squares for quilting? Spritz the material with spray starch and let it dry. The fabric will be much easier to cut, will keep its shape much better, and the raw edges will not ravel as much. Simply launder the starch out of the fabric when you are done.

Ironing Board Cover

Do you spend half of the time you are ironing just fighting with the ironing board cover? A great tip is to launder the cover, take it out of the dryer early while still damp, and then spray the whole thing with spray starch. Immediately put it on your ironing board and let it dry. Voila! This will help the cover lie smoother and resist wrinkling for a longer period of time.

Table Linens

Thanksgiving Dinner is at your house this year? Ironing the large tablecloth will be easier if you fold it in half, squirt with spray starch and iron. Be sure not to iron the folds, as it will cause a crease. Making fancy napkin shapes? Spray the napkin lightly with spray starch, iron, and repeat as often as necessary to get the amount of stability that you need to turn that napkin into a rose, a pinwheel or even a turkey!

Recipes for Making Spray Starch

Cold Water Recipe

Combine 1 to 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with a pint of cold water. Stir until the cornstarch is thoroughly mixed into the water, giving the mixture a milky color. Use a funnel to transfer the liquid to a plastic spray bottle. The problem with this method is the solution must be shaken before each use, as the cornstarch will settle on the bottom.

Hot Water Recipe

Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into two cups of cool water. Heat the mixture in a saucepan, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken slightly. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely. After it has cooled, use a strainer and a funnel to pour into a spray bottle. More water can be added if a lighter starch is desired. Refrigerate any leftovers and use them within a day or two.

Rice Water Recipe

Follow the package directions for making regular rice in boiling water. Some of the starch from the rice will remain in the water. Wait until the water cools and pour it into a spray bottle. The bonus with this method is you can also eat the rice!

Whichever recipe you choose, test your homemade spray starch on a small, inconspicuous area of fabric before using it on an entire garment. Spray lightly, avoid soaking the fabric, and check the garment's care label before ironing. Starch works best on suitable washable fabrics such as cotton and linen.

Does Homemade Spray Starch Go Bad?

Since it is prepared with natural ingredients and contains no commercial preservatives, homemade spray starch can spoil fairly quickly. The best approach is to make small batches and use them while they are fresh.

• Make only enough spray starch for the ironing you plan to do in the next day or two.
• Store any leftover mixture in a clean, tightly closed container in the refrigerator.
• Throw it away if it develops an unusual smell, changes appearance, or shows any sign of mold.

And remember, homemade spray starch is inexpensive to make. There is no reason to keep an old batch around when you can easily mix up a fresh one!