Starching a shirt is one of the best ways there is to give a fresh and tidy look to the garment. In addition to minimizing wrinkles and giving it a semblance of sophistication, starching can also help protect the fibers of the garment, so you can use it for several years. The secret to making the most of this process is knowing how to prepare the garment, using the right amount of starch and applying just enough to the surface of the fabric.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare the shirt in advance
For best results, wash and dry it thoroughly before trying to apply any type of starch. Washing removes traces of dirt and sweat that could interfere with the hardening properties of the starch, and may also not allow the product to protect the fibers of the garment fabric.
Step 2. Mix the starch
The starch used for ironing is sold in the form of a powder, and the packaging indicates the instructions on the doses to be mixed with the water. Follow them carefully, making sure the two ingredients are combined carefully. Pour the mixture into a bottle with a spray dispenser.
Step 3. Spread the shirt on the ironing board
Lay it on this surface so that the two front halves fall off the sides of the shelf, while the back will remain flat on the plank.
Step 4. Spray the starch on the back of the shirt
Apply a light and even layer over the entire back surface of the garment. Wait for a couple of seconds, so the product can penetrate the fabric of the garment, and then press gently with the iron, set at the right temperature for this material.
Step 5. Iron the front of the shirt
Turn the garment so that one side of the front is flat on the ironing board, then apply an even layer of starch. After you're done, put the shirt back on and repeat the process with the other side of the garment. Continue the starching and ironing process with each sleeve; finish the job by applying starch on the collar.
Step 6. Hang up the shirt immediately
Arrange the garment on a hanger and leave it exposed to fresh air for a few seconds before putting it in the closet. In this way, the starch will finish adhering to the fibers of the garment and will set its seal, creating that fresh and clean look that you like so much.
Advice
- If you don't want to mix starch with water, you may want to buy ready-to-use starch products. Some are sold in bottles with spray nozzles, while others are sold in spray cans. Use these starch-based products as you would use the mix you would make yourself.
- Not all fabrics need to be starched. Some garments made of natural fibers, such as cotton, lend themselves well to this process, while synthetic fibers may look worse; in the latter case, it is usually enough to iron the garment. Silk is another example of a fiber that shouldn't be starched.
