HOW DO I USE LAUNDRY STARCH?
- After washing, spin or wring out articles
- Dissolve 4 level scoops of starch (approx 3 heaped tablespoons) in a little cold water
- Add 2 pints (or 1 litre) of boiling water, stirring continually, then add 2 pints (1 litre) of cold water
- Immerse each item separately and wring out
- Allow to dry naturally and iron whilst damp
MACHINE STARCHING
- Stop the machine as it reaches the final rinse
- Add 5-6 heaped scoops of the starch dissolved in approx 150ml of hand hot water to the fabric conditioner compartment of your washing machine
- Restart the machine immediately to complete the final rinse
- Remove items when the machine has stopped
- Allow to dry naturally and iron whilst damp
FABRIC CONDITIONER COMPARTMENT CLOGGING
Make sure you stop the machine on its final rinse and put the starch solution in the fabric conditioner compartment and restart the machine immediately, rather than putting the solution in at the beginning of the cycle. If all of the compartments in your machine are rinsed at the beginning of your rinse cycle, then the solution can be put across all three compartments.
USING MORE STARCH THAN RECOMMENDED
Although the level of starchiness is a personal thing, using substantially more than the recommended amount is not advisable. Doing so could clog your machine compartments (see above). If extra starchiness is required, try hand starching.
The following things can affect the level of starch absorbed into your fabrics:
- a low level of cotton/linen in your item. Starch will be more readily absorbed by pure cotton than by a percale or cotton mix
- a denser thread count will absorb more starch than a lower thread count – good quality linen napkins show the best results
- do not overfill your washing machine. The starch solution should be able to circulate freely through the items
HEAT IS ESSENTIAL
Direct heat – ie a reasonably hot iron – applied to naturally-dried, damp fabrics is essential to get satisfactory results. Tumble-drying may lessen the effect of the starch, as will allowing the items to dry fully without ironing. If this happens, spray the items with water.
SCOOP
If your pack mentions a scoop measure, this is about an ounce or approx 25g but quantities are only a guide – for a lighter starch, use less powder or more water – a heavier starch will require less water or more starch. Linen napkins, for instance, will absorb more starch than a fine lawn handkerchief.
If you have any questions or other hints and tips that you would like us to pass on to other starch users, please send an email to enquiries@traditional-starch.co.uk, or fill in the enquiry form on the Contact Us page.