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-   -   Making Spray Starch (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/making-spray-starch-t157146.html)

GrannieAnnie 10-02-2011 11:42 PM


Originally Posted by bamamama
I've been making my own spray starch lately and its working out great. Best part is it is virtually free (except for the price of the spray bottle)

And I used an old window cleaner bottle for mine. I like it so much better than the store bought spray.

GrannieAnnie 10-02-2011 11:46 PM


Originally Posted by Cybrarian
Okay I don't drink so I don't know how cheap is cheap vodka? Smirnoff is the only brand I know. How do you store it? I bought the Sta starch to dilute and it flakes terribly. I had been buying the spray can that doesn't flake. So if you make your own only the vodka version won't flake?

I'm having pretty good luck with the StaFlo. It flakes sometimes, but only when I get wild with the spray.

MsEithne 10-02-2011 11:50 PM


Originally Posted by featherweight

Originally Posted by Suz
I am wondering about the use of vodka. What is it supposed to do?

Vodka is made from potatoes. Potatoes are starchy. It does add some starch to the fabric. Not real stiff but I like the results.....

Most of the vodka on the market is actually made from grains (mostly sorghum, corn, rye or wheat). Anything that is rich in carbs (starch) can be used, including soybeans, molasses, grapes, rice, sugar, etc. There are still some vodkas that include potatoes, but they are a tiny minority, more of a novelty than anything.

The most expensive vodkas are made from wheat or rye.

bamamama 10-03-2011 03:52 AM


Originally Posted by NanaCsews2
If you click on Deb's blog link (from the original post)you will get the recipe.

http://debsquiltsandthings.blogspot.com/

Thank you Nana, my blog address was with my original post and it somehow disappeared. I suppose the Quilting Board police didn't like that I added it to my post????? Not sure what happened. I should have just posted the recepie here. Was not on the computer yesterday so I didn't see all this until this morning. Here's the recepie

Here’s how to make your own Spray Starch:
Measure a scant teaspoon of Argo Cornstarch or any other cooking type cornstarch. Dissolve it in a few TBSP of cold water in a 2 cup glass measuring cup then add boiling water to the 1 cup line and stir until totally dissolved. Add cold water to the 2 cup line. Put in a fine mist sprayer. (The kind you get from the beauty department of the drug store works best. Be sure to label the bottle.
Shake the bottle every time you spray. If white flaking occurs dilute with additional water. Shake well every time you spray. The bottle of starch only lasts a week or so. Make a fresh batch each week or when you start cutting and piecing a new project. There are no preservatives, no chemicals, nothing that harms us or the environment.
Don't starch fabrics for storage as I have heard it will attract critters such as silverfish, centipedes, and mice. After you have finished binding your quilt it should be washed or rinsed to remove the starch. I hear that lavender oil will keep the critters away, but I think washing the quilt is best.
Use spray starch before cutting fabrics to prevent distortion and fraying and add more when pressing seams. If you spritz the fabric and press carefully parallel to the selvages of the fabric it will give it a wonderful body. Don't push and pull on the fabric with the iron; be gentle, let the weight and heat of the iron do the work for you.
Happy Quilting!!!!

damaquilts 10-03-2011 04:26 AM

well with all the discussion ya know what. I am going to try it for myself. And if it doesn't work it was $5 and I can still add it for a preservative. Or just add distilled water some essential oil and make a linen spray. The stuff I got was too cheap to actually drink but will work for other things I could also make tinctures with it.

Annaleehunter 10-03-2011 05:25 AM


Originally Posted by luvTooQuilt
my recipe is -

1 cup sta-flo concentrate
1 cup water
1 cup of Febreeze any scent will do ( i use lavender )

Mix well and pour in spray bottle..

Ditto! Works well. Smells Great!

Lady Diana 10-03-2011 06:41 AM

what article? Don't see it.

pcq42 10-03-2011 06:52 AM

thannks :D

MsEithne 10-03-2011 03:36 PM


Originally Posted by bamamama

Originally Posted by NanaCsews2
If you click on Deb's blog link (from the original post)you will get the recipe.

http://debsquiltsandthings.blogspot.com/

Thank you Nana, my blog address was with my original post and it somehow disappeared. I suppose the Quilting Board police didn't like that I added it to my post????? Not sure what happened. I should have just posted the recepie here. Was not on the computer yesterday so I didn't see all this until this morning. Here's the recepie

Here’s how to make your own Spray Starch:
Measure a scant teaspoon of Argo Cornstarch or any other cooking type cornstarch. Dissolve it in a few TBSP of cold water in a 2 cup glass measuring cup then add boiling water to the 1 cup line and stir until totally dissolved. Add cold water to the 2 cup line. Put in a fine mist sprayer. (The kind you get from the beauty department of the drug store works best. Be sure to label the bottle.
Shake the bottle every time you spray. If white flaking occurs dilute with additional water. Shake well every time you spray.

If you have adequately heated (cooked) the starch, there's no need to shake it. Starch (any starch, not just cornstarch) works when it is mixed with liquid and then heated so that the starch granules absorb the liquid. Once the starch granules are completely cooked, they have absorbed all the liquid they can. Shaking won't help them absorb any more.

In fact, if you do radical "shaking" (put them in a blender) you can break down the starch solution because the rapidly whirling blades of the blender literally cuts the bags of starch open and thus breaks down the structure of the solution.

If, after adding the boiling water to the starch mixed with cold water, the solution doesn't turn clear, thick and glossy, I suggest you zap it in the microwave in 30 second increments to heat it up until the starch has been fully cooked.

janjer 10-03-2011 05:21 PM

Vodka can be stored in your freezer. My son put a part of a bottle in our freezer about four years ago and it is still there. I think I will use some and try this recipe.
thanks for sharing.


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