How to Apply Starch to Shirts

Starch keeps shirts stiff and wrinkle-free.

Presenting a professional appearance involves more than just choosing the right attire. Keeping your clothes laundered and wrinkle-free further conveys a message of confidence and integrity. Starch acts as a fabric stiffener. Used in conjunction with a hot iron, starch lends your shirts a crisp appearance and helps keep wrinkles at bay. Too much starch results in shirts becoming overly stiff, and ultimately uncomfortable. Applying the starch properly helps ensure a “smart” appearance, without compromising personal comfort.

Things You'll Need

• Tablespoon (as needed)
• Measuring cup (as needed)
• Cup or bowl (as needed)
• Washing machine (as needed)
• Iron (as needed)
• Ironing board (as needed)

Instructions

Powder Starch

1. Combine 4 to 6 tablespoons of powder starch with 2 cups of cold water in a cup or bowl. Using more starch results in stiffer shirts. Mix the solution thoroughly to dissolve the starch.

2. Add your shirts to the washing machine, and wash them per the garments' instructions.

3. Allow the machine to run completely through its wash cycle. Once the final rinse cycle begins, add the starch solution to the rising water.

4. Hang the shirts, and allow them to air dry. While the shirts are still slightly damp apply a hot iron to each part of the shirt to smooth the wrinkles.

Spray Starch

1. Lay the center of the shirt flat on an ironing board, with the collar face up.

2. Spray a light but even layer of starch across the length of the collar. Hold the spray can no more than six to 10 inches from the shirt. To prevent starch dripping from the nozzle, hold the can at a 45-degree angle.

3. Iron from one side of the collar to the other, then flip the shirt over, and spray and iron the inside of the collar.

4. Align the seams of the first sleeve, and press the sleeve flat against the ironing board. Maintaining a proper distance and angle with the spray can, apply a light coating of starch along the sleeve.

5. Iron the sleeve smoothly before flipping the shirt over, and starching and ironing the other side of the sleeve. Repeat the step for the second sleeve.

6. Lay the shirt face down on the ironing board, with the collar face up.

7. Apply the starch back and forth across the back of the shirt. Remember to maintain the proper distance and angle to prevent an excess of starch on the shirt.

8. Iron the wrinkles smooth along the back of the shirt. As you maneuver the shirt to access each area of the back, avoid bunching up the shirt. Instead, to prevent wrinkling, allow the shirt to drape over the side of the ironing board.

References

• Ties-Necktie: Starching Mens Dress Shirts
• Faultless Starch: Six Steps to Spray Starch Success

Resources

• Faultless Starch: The Faultless Fabric Care Handbook