Types of Starch
08-01-2018, 02:21 PM
#31
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,071
Explain how you get Magic sizing into a spray bottle. Thank you
The Argo Gloss Laundry starch at the grocery stores here. And some Walmarts will have it. I think it's more of a southern thing as I have never found it in stores anywhere outside the south.
Last edited by Onebyone; 08-01-2018 at 02:24 PM.
08-01-2018, 03:12 PM
#32
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,211
I much prefer starch to best press, it goes a LOT farther and COSTS a lot less. A lot of people have the problems with the flaking, gunky, but that's because the correct way to do starch, is to spray/brush the starch on the right side of the fabric, fold/roll/smush the sprayed fabric into a plastic baggie, close up the bag and let it "marinate" for a minimum 2 hours, then take it out, let air dry or put in the drier for a few minutes, then you can iron it and you won't get the flaking or a gunky iron. The reason for the flaking/gunk is because when you spray then iron, you're ironing the starch and not the fabric. I just use the concentrated Sta-Flo and dilute it 50-50, maybe add a little extra starch.
08-02-2018, 02:56 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hernando FL
Posts: 1,662
Flaking from starch comes from not letting it penetrate the fabric before pressing. If you spray and then immediately iron the starch is on the surface of the fabric and when the hot iron hits it it flakes. To get the full benefit from starch you need to let it penetrate the fibers of the fabric.
I use liquid starch that comes in a large bottle and dilute it 50/50 with water. I put it in a spray bottle I got at a beauty supply place because it comes out in a fine mist. The fine mist makes the starch (or Best Press) go further and coats the fabric more evenly. Once my fabric is sprayed I roll it up and put it in a plastic bag to let it mellow. After a bit of time I then press it. No flaking or residue on my iron that way. Much the same as when we sprinkled clothes "back in the day".
I will use Best Press occasionally to freshen up a block after it is constructed but again I put it in a bottle from a beauty supply place (like Sally's) as the fine mist makes it go further.
I use liquid starch that comes in a large bottle and dilute it 50/50 with water. I put it in a spray bottle I got at a beauty supply place because it comes out in a fine mist. The fine mist makes the starch (or Best Press) go further and coats the fabric more evenly. Once my fabric is sprayed I roll it up and put it in a plastic bag to let it mellow. After a bit of time I then press it. No flaking or residue on my iron that way. Much the same as when we sprinkled clothes "back in the day".
I will use Best Press occasionally to freshen up a block after it is constructed but again I put it in a bottle from a beauty supply place (like Sally's) as the fine mist makes it go further.
08-02-2018, 05:46 AM
#36
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,071
The new mister bottles are great. Works like a garden sprayer. It's lighter and takes up less space. I use the garden sprayer for spray basting.
08-02-2018, 07:12 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 85
I'm dying to ask: some of you are talking about using Argo starch. Are you talking about Argo Corn Starch? I use it for cooking and it's readily available in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
I've read many people's comments that starch attracts bugs. I don't know if it's all starches - commercial and homemade, or if it's only the homemade versions. I don't often use starch, but when I do, it's Sta-Flo because it keeps forever and it's easy to control the dilution.
I've read many people's comments that starch attracts bugs. I don't know if it's all starches - commercial and homemade, or if it's only the homemade versions. I don't often use starch, but when I do, it's Sta-Flo because it keeps forever and it's easy to control the dilution.
08-02-2018, 02:15 PM
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: deep east Texas
Posts: 146
I too am using and it does everything a starch should do. It is a little pricey on amazon but have tried a lot of products and this one is the best. I'm not a fan of best press because it seems more like a sizer than starch.
The Faultless Maxx does not flake either.
The Faultless Maxx does not flake either.
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