I believe you either misread the instructions on the starch or mistyped it. The six to one ratio is too heavy and thats one reason the starch is flaking.

Do you have hard water?

I think we all have our likes and dislikes. I really don't like the Mary Ellen's Best Press at all. I rarely use starch. I'm a happy steamer.

Help! Why are you all using starch? I am 77 yrs. old and have been piecing quilts since I was 12. The only time I use spray starch is to iron a neat collar on a shirt or blouse. Have I missed out on a great technique? I'm always Looking for new ideas and helps. Thanks.
Happy quilting!

I use "Best Press" from my LQS and I've never had a problem : )

I love Mary Ellen's, too. It will take that crease from being on the bolt or other wrinkles right out. But sometimes I like to use something that makes the fabric stiffer for cutting because I'm having trouble with keeping my cuts accurate. I've only used spray starch from a can for that. I do try to let it soak in a little before ironing and that does help with the flaking. Best Press just doesn't flake, as far as I can tell. I may try mixing up some sta-flo instead for that, because I'm not crazy about aerosols.

You are ironing too soon. Let the starch dry almost completely. This really eliminates the problems you are having.

Me too! I don't usually dry my fabric in the dryer when I first wash it, instead I hang it, spray it heavily with starch and let it dry. This makes it very easy to iron and I don't get the flakes. Those little darlings only show up when I starch and iron my DH's shirts or if I need to starch a block in a hurry.1

I agree the ratio is way off.

I love 'Mary Ellen's Best Press' (fragrant free) but because of the cost usually mix my own starch using 'Stay-Flo' with a 1 to 1 ratio with water.

I have tried the Niagra starch in the pump bottle and like it much better than the aerosol. However, as I can only find it in the linen scent I can't use it. It has a lovely Linen scent but I am allergic to things with fragrances.

I know this sounds weird but has anyone ever used a blow dryer to dry the starch before ironing? Sometimes I starch seams during construction and don't want to wait for the starch to dry.