I started washing all my fabrics due to the chemicals destroying my fingernails and making my finger tips sensitive. I even wash pre-cuts because of the chemicals. (I either put them in a salad spinner or a lingerie bag if washing clothes.) They dry quickly if you put them out of a towel or rack.
Used to steam iron only, but then started reading on here about the better results coming from use of Fabric Sizing, Best Press, or starch. So started one after the other finally settled on spray starch works the best for me. Thought about trying the heavy starch that you cook up but a lot of it would just go to waste.