Homemade starch - pros and cons?
 

Good morning,

Living in the UK I am having starch issues! Best Press is expensive due to it's being imported and Sta-Flo is unavailable. I have google and googled to find other liquid starches but have had no success.

I have two choices, continue to buy Best Press or make my own!

I've googled homemade recipes which seem to be fairly simple, just a mixture of cornflour (is this known by the same name in USA?) and water.

I would imagine that this mixture would go off after a time - how long? Also would it smell unpleasant? Can I add anything to it to deter little creatures from feasting on it?

I would welcome any advice regarding the pros and cons of using homemade starch. If I can save money by not buying Best Press, that would be useful.

SB

here are just some of the previous threads on this subject
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...m-t260857.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...n-t251476.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...h-t246862.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t246217.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t243618.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...h-t225996.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t231844.html

Thank you QuiltnNan :)

P.S. QuiltnNan, I really like your THINK signature.

sophiebernina, like your avator ;) I use Dylon spray starch which you can get in supermarkets, but best place I have found is poundland.

thanks :o

There are commercial starches available in the U.K. Many of them may be the older-fashioned "powdered" starches, though. Here are links to some I found:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kershaws-TRA.../dp/B004B3GDPS
http://www.idealmanufacturing.co.uk/...uid%20Starches

The advantage of purchasing a commercial starch, whether liquid or dry, is that they typically include preservatives which help keep the starch from going off.

Cornstarch is basically just powdered corn. You mix it with water. I believe most recipes have you boil the starch at some point, which may help it dissolve and also will help it keep longer. Once mixed, you probably want to keep this in the refrigerator. It will develop mold eventually, but refrigeration slows this process.

Be aware that starches are made from organic materials, and that cornstarch isn't the only thing you can use. You can also use starch made from potatoes, rice, and I'm sure other organic sources.

Think about how you are going to use the starch too. For example, cornstarch and water would work great in a spray bottle, but reconstituted powdered laundry starch would likely be much better for heavily starching yardage (as a substitute for Sta-Flo and water).

If you want something like Best Press, the vodka recipe above is close to it. I don't use any of the oils in it.

Thank you. I live your avatar too! I have used Dylon spray but it was getting expensive, I didn't think about checking in poundland - thank you for passing on the info to buy some there.

Thank you Prism99 for the links and the in depth reply, especially about the preservatives. The Kershaws looks very reasonable. I think with that and the Dylon notmorecraft mentioned I will be more than covered for my needs.

I love the feel of starched fabrics, I think it reminds me of my childhood when everything was starched!

I guess the oils would mark the fabric? I am a bit wary of using vodka, especially so close to the iron!!

For several years i've bought a bottled liquid starch, (here in the US it's Sta-Flo) which i then dilute with water in a pump spray bottle. It is MUCH less expensive than the canned spray stuff....and i can alter the ratio depending on what i'm working on.....ie: heavy or light.

I know of people who make the vodka starch. I've used it and it works fine.

I make the vodka sizing too and I put a few drops of lavender essential in.

Here's a way to make Homemade Distilled Water:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...ater/?ALLSTEPS

In my area Best Press can sometimes be found at estate sales, especially those with a lot of sewing supplies. It seems that the people who price items for the sales have no clue as to its value or retail cost and usually price it low. It is usually found with the window cleaners and dusting sprays. I also find packages of Color Catchers priced low at estate sales frequently.

I have no recommendation for making your own spray starch, although I remember using it years and years ago when I still ironed clothes. My comment is what a gorgeous German Shepherd you have, he/she is beautiful and reminds me of our last German Shepherd.

Hello Marge,
Thank you for your lovely comments about our German Shepherd. We have only recently got her after losing our last German Shepherd in January. She is quite a special girl because, although she lives with us, she is owned by the UK Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. She is one of their brood stock and her job (and ours) will be to produce and raise puppies who will grow up to become working Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Lakeland stocks powdered starch at a good price you can buy in store or online.

I have made my own starch for years and love it....