Mistakes Everyone Makes When Starching Clothing

Starching your clothes can help get rid of wrinkles, make ironing easier, and help stains from settling into the fabric. While a relatively easy process, there are some common mistakes that people tend to make when starching though, including not giving the starch time to set, and attempting to starch unclean clothes. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that certain fabrics, such as silk, wool, cashmere, and delicate synthetics should never be starched as it could ruin the material. Cotton is typically the best fabric to use starch on, but polyester can withstand some lighter starching sprays. Clothes that have been heavily starched several times may start to wear down, so it's important not to use too much starch or to apply it to your clothes too often.

When choosing a starch, cornstarch sprays are extremely convenient and effective, but make sure to read the label on the can to ensure it's suitable for the type of fabric you plan to use it on. By using the correct amount of starch on appropriate, clean fabrics, this laundry technique can keep your clothes looking new, fresh, crisp, and easier to wash.

One common mistake when starching clothes is to begin ironing immediately after applying the starch. This does not give the starch time to start working on the clothes and can also lead to buildup on your iron. Make sure to let the spray set on the fabric for several moments before you pull out the iron. 

Another mistake you'll want to avoid is using the steam function on your iron. Although this can be helpful at times, it's not necessary when starching because the spray already provides moisture, and applying steam can make it more difficult to iron out the wrinkles. Don't apply starch to a completely dry piece of clothing — the best time to begin the starching and ironing process is when your clothing is still a little damp. Additionally, if you plan to put your clothes in storage or know you won't wear them for a while, it's best to hold off on starching, as starch is a natural ingredient that may attract insects, so make sure to only starch clothes that will be worn soon.

If you starch your clothes often or use a heavier starch spray, it can build up in the fabric over time, causing it to wear out faster than it should. To remove starch, soak the garments before washing. This will help protect the fabric when you're ready to starch it again.

While starching can help make clothing resistant to sweat, dirt, and stains, don't starch clothes that aren't already clean as that can have negative effects. The presence of dirt can make it more difficult for the starch to properly stiffen your clothes, which could cause you to overuse starch and eventually damage the fabric. The warmth of the iron may also cause stains in the clothes to set, making them more difficult or impossible to remove later. Although there are many potential pitfalls when starching, when done correctly, the technique can make your clothes look as good as new without harming the fabric.