TOP 18 ways and methods for starching fabric at home
In order to prolong the life of your favorite objects, it is necessary to know how to starch the fabric correctly so as not to damage the fibers. Not all types of fabric can be starch, so being careful will avoid possible problems. Each type of fabric requires a method of treatment depending on the desired result.
Content
- 1 Why do you need starch
- 2 What cannot be treated
- 3 Basic Procedure Types
- 4 Basic methods
- 5 Other recipes
- 6 How to Avoid Starch
- 7 Features for Various Fabrics
- 8 Drying and ironing tips
- 9 Important nuances of starching for hats and panamas
- 10 Which product is better to use
- 11 Advantages of in-store products
- 12 Examples of use
- 13 Useful tips
Why do you need starch
The starching process doesn't take long, but things look different. With the help of the substance you can achieve the desired result.
Gives elasticity
Starch, which is diluted in water, settles on the fibers of the fabric, which allows the thing to retain its shape. Such treatment for bed linen is considered ideal, since during application the parts do not crease and wrinkle.
Repels dirt
The use of starch allows you to form a protective eyelash on the surface of things. When dirt gets on the fabric, the film repels it and prevents it from penetrating deep into the fiber structure of the fabric.
Whitens
Most often the white stuff is starch because the paste the stuff is rinsed in tends to bleach the fabric and remove stubborn stains.
Extends the life of things
The use of starch for the treatment of fabrics allows you to extend the life of things. The starch prevents yarn breakage. Also, the substance prevents the fabric from stretching and further damage.
What cannot be treated
Despite the fact that starching is a popular method of treating fabrics, it should be borne in mind that treating certain types of clothing with a substance is not recommended.
Summer clothes
Starch does not allow air to pass through, therefore it is not recommended to treat summer clothes with the product. Since such a procedure will increase the sweating process and can negatively affect the condition of the skin. The skin does not receive the required amount of oxygen, which can lead to the appearance of diseases.
Underwear
Underwear should also allow air to pass through, otherwise the person will feel discomfort, which is most often manifested by itching and burning.
Dark Products
The black color of fabrics does not starch, so after this type of treatment, a white bloom remains on things. It is very difficult to get rid of plaque, it is necessary to rinse off the starch.
Synthetic fabrics
Synthetic fibers do not lend themselves well to the process, therefore, starching synthetic type garments is not recommended. Otherwise, the product will not be processed evenly and may become unusable.
Things embroidered with dental floss
Muline does not react well to starch, as a result of treatment with the substance, threads can stick together, causing things to lose their appearance and become unusable.
Basic Procedure Types
Depending on the type of thing and the fabric from which it is made, it is necessary to select the right method of processing starch.
Soft, tender
This method is used for thin fabrics from which, as a rule, shirts and bedding are sewn. To prepare the rinse aid, dissolve a teaspoon of starch in a liter of warm water. The amount of potato extract is calculated from the size of the item.
Mean
This type of solution can be used for thick fabrics, such as tablecloths, which need to hold the desired shape.
To get a working solution, you need to mix a tablespoon of potato powder with a liter of water.
Hard
A concentrated paste is used, at least 2 tablespoons of product per liter of water. The fabric is left in the solution for several hours. Most often, cuffs, napkins or collars are rinsed, and this technique is also often used to stiffen the frame on the embroidered canvas.
Basic methods
You can use various methods to apply the solution to things. The result will depend on the method chosen.
Manually
The manual method of dealing with things involves the following principle of action:
- clothes are washed in the usual way with washing powder;
- a solution is prepared, depending on the size of the clothes, and poured into a basin;
- the thing is steeped in dissolution;
- wring the thing out and hang up to dry.
In order for the garment to take the desired shape, you need to iron the damp cloth with an iron.
Soak
Used for small items, most commonly collars and cuffs. Starch is dissolved in warm water at the rate of 2 tablespoons per liter of water. The fabric is lowered and left for 2-3 hours, after which it is ironed damp.
Brush application
This method is used if it is necessary to separately starch a collar or other garment. First of all, it is necessary to dilute the concentrated composition, the washed clothes are laid out on a flat surface and the solution is evenly applied with a brush. Then the item is dried and ironed in the usual way.
Spray
The method is used when it is necessary to starch things without washing them. For the technique, a spray bottle is used, into which the ready-made solution is poured. The solution is sprayed on the fabric and ironed immediately.
There is an automatic machine in the washing machine
You can starch things using a washing machine, this not only simplifies the procedure, but also eliminates the need for twisting.
Prepare the solution at home
Before using the product, it is necessary to prepare the liquid. To do this, add a teaspoon of starch to a liter of warm water and stir well. The liquid is infused for 10 minutes and only after that it is used.
Casting paste
After preparation, the solution is poured into the rinse aid compartment and the machine turns on in the required mode.
Important.It is necessary to make sure that there are no lumps in the dough, as they can interfere with the operation of the washing device.
Machine wash procedure
The washing process is carried out as usual. After the end, things came out and shook. Clothes are dried and ironed with an iron.
Other recipes
If the use of starch cannot be achieved, other techniques can be used to give things strength.
Aerosol
This method is most often used when it is necessary to starch individual parts of the garment. To perform the technique, 2 teaspoons of powder should be diluted in a liter of water. The resulting composition is cooked over low heat for 5 minutes, then cooled and sprayed with an aerosol.
Gloss-starch
It is used to ensure that objects not only retain their shape, but also have an attractive shine. For cooking, you need to mix 3 tablespoons of starch (rice), half a teaspoon of borax, 2 tablespoons of talcum powder, 4 tablespoons of table water. In the resulting composition, a towel is moistened and the fabric is treated, which is then shaken out and ironed with an iron.
How to Avoid Starch
You can shape things by other methods without using starch.
Sugar
The use of granulated sugar gives the garment the necessary shape. For use, add a glass of sugar to a liter of water and boil. The washed thing is dipped in the resulting syrup. Then it is wrung out, dried and ironed. It should be remembered that the effect disappears after water ingress.
PVA glue
This method is most often used for small things. Glue and water are mixed in a 1: 2 ratio and the thing is lubricated. After that, the fabric is given the required shape and left to dry completely.
Gelatin
To prepare the solution, you need to soak a tablespoon of gelatin in water and leave until it swells, then dissolve it in 300 grams of water. After that, steam the washed thing, iron the fabric in a damp state.
Silicate glue
Using glue will allow you to give things not only shape, but also additional durability. To prepare the working solution, you need to take 5 liters of warm water and a tablespoon of glue. Thoroughly mix all the components.
A thoroughly washed item is soaked in the resulting solution for 5 minutes. Then the fabric is wrung out, dried and ironed.
Features for Various Fabrics
When using pasta to starch things, you also need to consider some characteristics of the fabric.
cotton and linen
Fabric fibers are easily attacked by the solution, so a mild solution with a low starch content can be used for linen and cotton.
Chiffon
The fabric requires delicate handling. In order to give the desired shape, a solution is prepared in a proportion of 1 liter of water and 0.5 tablespoons of starch. The fabric is soaked for 5 minutes.
Organza
For this kind of fabric, a solution is used with 0.5 teaspoons of starch per liter of water. The organza is soaked for a maximum of 5-10 minutes.
Important. In order for the organza to have a beautiful sheen, gelatin should be used instead of starch to prepare the solution.
Lace
When preparing the solution, it is necessary to add a tablespoon of milk to a liter of water. This will give the lace a lasting shape. The solution is prepared with an average consistency.
Fatine
This type of fabric is thin, so it is enough to use a solution of medium consistency. The fabric is placed in a solution and immediately removed, after which it is wrung out and dried.
Cloth
The canvas is very often used for embroidery, so it must be stiff. A concentrated solution is used for the procedure: 2 tablespoons of starch per liter of water. The canvas is lowered into the resulting solution for 5 minutes, after which it is wrung out, if it is necessary to starch the canvas on the finished product, it is necessary to use a brush with which the product is moistened.
Gauze
This type of fabric is used to make frames for skirts. For stiffness, the material should be rinsed in the following solution: 1 liter of water, 2 tablespoons of starch, 1 teaspoon of borax. The gauze is soaked for 2 hours, after which the required shape is created.
Silk
To improve the appearance of silk, you need to use gelatin solution of medium consistency (one tablespoon per 500 ml of water). The fabric is then dried and ironed damp.
Embroidery
With the help of a starch solution, you can facilitate the process of cross-stitching. In addition, the pattern will look attractive. The canvas on which the pattern is embroidered becomes denser, but retains its shape. A solution of medium consistency is used, the fabric is lowered for 20 minutes and dried.
Drying and ironing tips
In order for the thing to acquire the required appearance, it is very important to dry it well after using the starch solution. The following guidelines should be followed:
- so that the ironing process does not cause difficulties, it is necessary to iron with a damp cloth;
- it is necessary to start ironing from the sewn side, after which the front part is ironed;
- steam is not used during ironing;
- when using a solution of a large consistency, it is recommended to iron the fabric dry;
- it is necessary to dry in a ventilated place;
- it is forbidden to dry the fabric on piles, this will lead to the appearance of yellow spots;
- Before drying, the fabric should be thoroughly shaken and smoothed.
For delicate fabrics, iron through the fabric layer.
Important nuances of starching for hats and panamas
Hats and Panama hats require special care, so it is necessary to take into account the features that allow not to spoil the hat.
Hard starch
Before the procedure, the headdress must be cleaned of dirt and dust. Using a concentrated solution will allow you to give the panama the desired shape. This method can be used to shape a cap or a medical cap.
Cold method
Knitted hats should be starch with a cold solution. After cooling, a knitted cap is placed in the dough for 30 minutes. Then it is wrung out and dried.
Shape
A glass jar is often used to shape the hat. Handy items can also be used, including hair curlers or plastic bottles.
After treatment with paste, the hat or panama is left to dry completely.
Which product is better to use
All types of starch can be used for fabric care. Each type of product has specific characteristics that must be taken into account.
Potato
The product for making paste has an affordable cost and can be applied to all types of fabrics. In addition, the potato extract thickens much faster.
But
When using corn starch, it should be borne in mind that the product has a specific smell. Also, the product has a lower viscosity, therefore, 2-3 tablespoons per liter of water are used to prepare a working solution of medium consistency.
rice and wheat
Using rice or wheat starch will allow you to achieve the required hardness in a short time. Most often, such products are used for collars. To prepare the solution, add 50 grams of starch and 10 grams of borax per liter of water.
Barley
The substance has the same qualities as the potato and is used for the treatment of things in the ratio of 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water. However, to get the result, the washed fabric should be soaked for 2 hours.
Advantages of in-store products
In the departments of household chemicals, you can buy ready-made products for starching fabrics. These drugs can be produced in the form of gels, sprays, powders and have the following advantages:
- can be used on dry items without first cleaning the fabric;
- do not require preparation;
- good smell;
- easy to use;
- can be used for various degrees of fixation.
Ready-to-use products can be used during washing.
Important. Store products for starching things should be used strictly as directed. Preparations are not suitable for all types of fabrics.
Examples of use
The scope of application of a solution with starch can be varied.However, the procedure is most commonly used for the following.
Household linen
Properly starched bedding looks great, won't wrinkle, and is kind to the body. To starch your laundry, you can add the solution directly to the washing machine during the wash.For bed linen, an average consistency of the solution is used.
Tulle
Using a starch solution, you can refresh the curtains and give them the desired shape. For these purposes, a gentle solution is prepared: 1 spoon per 1 liter of water, the curtains are rinsed for 5 minutes and ironed damp.
Shirt
A starched shirt looks better on the wearer. For this, a solution of medium consistency is used, the washed shirt is placed in the solution and left for 15 minutes. Then it is squeezed out of excess water, dried and ironed damp.
Tablecloth
A concentrated solution should be used for the tablecloth. The fabric is placed in a liquid and left for 2 hours, after which it is dried and ironed. The fabric treated with a solution takes the required shape and looks elegant.
Useful tips
In order not to spoil things, you should follow the following useful recommendations:
- so that after the starching process a shine forms on things, a pinch of salt is added to the solution;
- when ironing, the fabric sticks to the iron, you can solve this problem if you add a drop of turpentine to the solution when rinsing;
- it is forbidden to dry things after cold starch;
- colored things do not starch with a hot solution;
- so that the thing does not lose its shape, it must be dried on a flat surface.
If the liquid is cloudy after preparation, it is necessary to boil the solution before rinsing.
Using starch to care for your clothes is a long forgotten method. A correctly selected recipe for the solution will extend the life of the product and make the fabric crispy and pleasant to the touch. However, it must be remembered that not everything can be starch; some types of fabrics can deteriorate from this type of exposure.