Flaking Starch.........How Do You Prevent It
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
For spray starch, the secret is in giving the starch time to sink into the fabric. This probably takes longer if the fabric has not been prewashed because the fabric is treated in the factory to resist dirt (and starch!). Flakes and "snow" occur when the starch is ironed before it has had a chance to be completely absorbed by the fabric fibers.
I do not use spray starch anymore because I seem congenitally unable to wait long enough at the ironing board. Since I don't prewash, my fabrics usually have enough stiffening in them already for accurate cutting and piecing.
When I do starch fabric, it's usually for backing fabric. For that, I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water to make a heavy solution, paint it on to the fabric with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in the dryer, and then iron with steam. Drying the fabric before ironing ensures there will be no wet starch to scorch. With this method I can use a very hot iron and not worry about scorching the starch because it has been entirely absorbed by the fabric. The steam re-activates the starch just enough for ironing all the wrinkles out.
I do not use spray starch anymore because I seem congenitally unable to wait long enough at the ironing board. Since I don't prewash, my fabrics usually have enough stiffening in them already for accurate cutting and piecing.
When I do starch fabric, it's usually for backing fabric. For that, I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water to make a heavy solution, paint it on to the fabric with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in the dryer, and then iron with steam. Drying the fabric before ironing ensures there will be no wet starch to scorch. With this method I can use a very hot iron and not worry about scorching the starch because it has been entirely absorbed by the fabric. The steam re-activates the starch just enough for ironing all the wrinkles out.
#12
Thanks for the great question Billy! I've learned a lot by reading everyone's posts...Mary Ellen's smells great but doesn't starch as heavy as my grocery store Faultless Heavy Starch I buy in Walmart. I don't get flaking and I sometimes will spray on both sides...one quilter's theory who taught a class said when it's hot she flips and starches the other side and figures it soaks deeper when hot...I don't know if that's true or not.
#14
Originally Posted by Prism99
For spray starch, the secret is in giving the starch time to sink into the fabric. This probably takes longer if the fabric has not been prewashed because the fabric is treated in the factory to resist dirt (and starch!). Flakes and "snow" occur when the starch is ironed before it has had a chance to be completely absorbed by the fabric fibers.
I do not use spray starch anymore because I seem congenitally unable to wait long enough at the ironing board. Since I don't prewash, my fabrics usually have enough stiffening in them already for accurate cutting and piecing.
When I do starch fabric, it's usually for backing fabric. For that, I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water to make a heavy solution, paint it on to the fabric with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in the dryer, and then iron with steam. Drying the fabric before ironing ensures there will be no wet starch to scorch. With this method I can use a very hot iron and not worry about scorching the starch because it has been entirely absorbed by the fabric. The steam re-activates the starch just enough for ironing all the wrinkles out.
I do not use spray starch anymore because I seem congenitally unable to wait long enough at the ironing board. Since I don't prewash, my fabrics usually have enough stiffening in them already for accurate cutting and piecing.
When I do starch fabric, it's usually for backing fabric. For that, I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water to make a heavy solution, paint it on to the fabric with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in the dryer, and then iron with steam. Drying the fabric before ironing ensures there will be no wet starch to scorch. With this method I can use a very hot iron and not worry about scorching the starch because it has been entirely absorbed by the fabric. The steam re-activates the starch just enough for ironing all the wrinkles out.
I guess I had better start throwing it in the dryer as suggested. I always wash my quilts as soon as the binding is on so flakes don't bother me but I can actually scorch the guaranteed not to scorch starch. Definitely points to a congenital issue--LOL!
#15
Originally Posted by grandma at the lake
Mary Ellen's Best Press hasn't flaked for me yet. I love it.
#16
I have not had that happen and I do use my iron very hot. I do not dilute. Sorry I'm not more help. I do buy it by the gal. online at Joann's if I have a coupon. I know there's some controversy about Joann's that didn't know about before, but so far my coupon worked well online.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,134
Originally Posted by Grammy o'5
Originally Posted by grandma at the lake
Mary Ellen's Best Press hasn't flaked for me yet. I love it.
#18
I spray my fabric until it is wet with starch, hang it up on a tension rod until it dries. I don't have any problem with scorching or flaking. It works well for me with canned or what I mix myself :D:D:D
If I am in a hurry, I put a fan on it :wink:
If I am in a hurry, I put a fan on it :wink:
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Okay help the guy quilter out here........I read on another thread that there is a proper temp to using starch and apparently a secret to keeping it from flaking.
So here is my question..........
What is the proper temp and use of starch. I used to used sizing and now swapped to starch but it flakes on me in spots. Now it usually washes out no big deal but whats the secret to not flaking.
Billy
So here is my question..........
What is the proper temp and use of starch. I used to used sizing and now swapped to starch but it flakes on me in spots. Now it usually washes out no big deal but whats the secret to not flaking.
Billy
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