I buy liquid starch and dilute it 50/50 and put it in a spray bottle. I have an inexpensive plastic dishpan that I put the fabric in to spray to keep the mess in that. Once the starch dries in the dishpan it just flakes out. It also keeps any overspray to a minimum. Once the piece is sprayed I roll it up and put it in a plastic bag to let it rest and so so the starch can be absorbed into the fibers of the fabric. This keeps my iron clean and eliminates the flaking on the material. Much like you did back in the day when you sprinkled clothes. I don't put it in the fridge however since I'm going to iron it soon. I cover my ironing board with a piece of muslin to keep the ironing board cover clean.
I starch and then cut. I just finished making a quilt where squares were on point so lots and lots of setting triangles. It went together like a dream thanks to the starch.
I do not like aerosol of any kind so don't use that. Niagara makes a non-aerosol spray starch but all I can find it in lately is the lavender scent which is a bit much for me. The liquid (like Sta Flo) is much cheaper as well.
To clean my iron if it gets gunk on it I use a magic erasure on a cold iron. The sole plate on my iron is shiny. I don't know how that would work if you have a teflon coated sole plate.