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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Spray Starch, Anyone?



I've been having the most difficult time finding concentrated liquid starch to make into a spray for ironing. I finally ordered some from Amazon, but they took their time about filling the order (three weeks and counting) so I bought some non-aerosol spray starch from the grocery store.  When that ran out I dug up this recipe, printed it on a label, and made it up in the leftover spray starch bottle (with original label removed).

You're probably wondering why I just don't buy the aerosol spray starch.  It's because I really hate the stuff. It doesn't work all that well and I find the fragrance awful.  I read somewhere that the starch molecules need to be shortened to be successfully sprayed through the aerosol nozzle, rendering the product less effective, but I don't know how true that is.  I searched all of the stores for the concentrated liquid that Amazon wasn't delivering, and finally found some at Walmart. However, in the meantime I've been using the homemade recipe and finding that I really like the feel of it after ironing. And the oddest part is, my son, who irons a shirt every morning, sees the recipe on the bottle and makes it up when it runs out. He doesn't put in the lavender essential oil or put it in the refrigerator, but just making it up is a big step! Sometimes I remember to put it in the fridge at night, but most of the time I forget. Luckily, it doesn't seem to spoil, so I think this is a good solution for us.

I'll use up the two bottles of concentrate I bought from Walmart, then stick with the powdered cornstarch for the future. I've cancelled the Amazon order.

Warning! I use starch quite a bit when sewing and ironing heirloom garments. But when I wash the garments prior to storing, I never add starch. After all, starch is a food (don't my hips know that!) and all sorts of insects and other vermin will find it very attractive. Adding lavender is a help, but to stay on the safe side, I store all heirloom garments without ironing with starch. It's best not to tempt fate.

2 comments:

  1. I don't use spray starch anymore, I started using Mary Ellen's Best Press a few years ago and I don't think I will ever use starch again. Best Press doesn't flake or coat my iron. I don't have to wait for it to soak in either. Go to Hancock Fabrics to get or to your local quilt shop. They should have it also.

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  2. Have you looked for a product called "Linit"? I get mine at the local supermarket or Kmart. Maybe its' an East coast thing but it is easily available. I love it and its all I use. It is a concentrate that you mix and put in a spray bottle.

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