You can starch white clothes at home using either store-bought starch spray or a homemade starch solution. Here’s how:
Method 1: Using Store-Bought Starch Spray
- Prepare the garment: Ensure your white shirt or clothing item is clean and completely unbuttoned.
- Lay flat: Place the garment flat on an ironing board.
- Spray lightly: Hold the starch spray bottle about 6-8 inches away and lightly spray the garment. Avoid oversaturating the fabric, as this can make it stiff and prone to flaking.
- Iron: Set your iron to the appropriate temperature for the fabric (usually high for cotton). Iron the garment, using smooth, even strokes. Repeat spraying and ironing until the desired stiffness is achieved.
Method 2: Making Homemade Starch
This method is more economical and allows you to control the strength of the starch.
- Gather your materials: You'll need cornstarch, water, a large bowl, and a stovetop pot.
- Mix the cornstarch and water: In a large bowl, mix 1 ½ tablespoons (11 g) of cornstarch with 2 cups (473 ml) of cold water. Stir until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This is crucial to avoid clumps.
- Cook the mixture (Optional, for a stronger hold): For a stronger starch, pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes translucent. Remove from heat immediately and let it cool completely.
- Dilute the starch: Add warm water to the bowl to fill it up, adjusting the amount to achieve your desired starch consistency. More water equals a lighter starch.
- Apply the starch:
- Spray bottle method: Pour the cooled starch solution into a spray bottle. Spray the garment as described in Method 1.
- Dip method: Dip the clean, damp (not wet) garment into the starch solution, ensuring it's evenly coated. Gently squeeze out any excess starch.
- Iron: Iron the garment while it is still slightly damp, using the appropriate heat setting for the fabric.
Tips for Best Results:
- Test on a small area: Before starching the entire garment, test the starch on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't discolor the fabric.
- Iron on a clean surface: Use a clean ironing board cover to prevent dirt or stains from transferring to your white clothes.
- Clean your iron: A clean iron will prevent scorching and discoloration.
- Avoid Over Starching: Too much starch can make the garment stiff and uncomfortable and can even attract dirt.
