Starch is not only recognized in keeping clothes neat but it also helps protect the fabric from stains. Sadly, long term use of starch will cause fabrics to wear out quickly.
You easily get rid of starch stains from clothes with a solution of water and dishwashing liquid. With a clean white cloth or towel, blot the solution at the site of the stain. Sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution and blot dry.
While some are worried that they are allergic to starch, a burning sensation from clothing that just came from the dry cleaner is more likely an indication that the cleaner did not restore the normal pH level of the fabric. For those who have sensitive skin, starched garments can feel too rigid, scratchy or itchy. With this in mind, it is important to deal with any leftover starch stains. Read further to learn ways on how to remove starch stains from clothes.
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Steps on how to remove starch stains from clothes
If some of your clothes have starch stains on them, most are seldom easy to wash away. Generally, starch is designed to be washed out during the next wash. Let us now take a look at the steps on what to do when dealing with a stubborn starch stain.
- Prepare a solution of two cups of cool water and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
- With a clean white cloth or towel, blot the solution at the site of the stain. Continue to do this until the starch stain is completely removed from the garment. Since starch becomes tacky as it gets wet, there is a need to change the cleaning solution several times to prevent the reapplication of the starch back into the garment while cleaning it.
- Once most of the starch stain has been removed, get plain cold water and a new white towel or cloth. Sponge the site to remove the cleaning solution and blot dry.
It is not unusual to overspray when using spray starch when ironing. In case there is too much on your iron, simply remove it by using an iron cleaner.
Dealing with starch powder
Another approach is to soak the garment in cold, warm or hot water depending on the care instructions on the fabric. Follow up by soaking with a regular wash cycle. In case the starch lingers, you can add a cup of white vinegar in another wash cycle. Furthermore, if the dry cleaner utilized a synthetic variant of starch, it is likely to bond to the fabric like glue. This will require several repeated washing in hot water to completely remove the starch.
In case the starch does not seem to come out after 1-2 washing, consult with the cleaners since it might be something else other than starch residue on your clothes.
Video: How to get rid of starch stains from clothing
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Related questions about starch stains
Does cornstarch come out of clothes?
Cornstarch can easily come out of clothes. Cornstarch is a gluten-free product produced after grinding dry corn kernels. Although it is widely used as a cooking ingredient to thicken gravies, sauces, and soups as well as in cosmetics to prevent caking, it is also an indispensable ingredient when dealing with laundry stains and odor.
One of the important uses of cornstarch is dealing with greasy stains. When a greasy food item lands on your shirt or pants, the initial task is to blot the site with a clean white towel or cloth. Sprinkle a large amount of cornstarch on the fabric, ideally on both sides and leave in place for 10 minutes. Shake the cornstarch off before dabbing at any leftover grease with white vinegar.
Wash the garment using the hottest temperature. This is usually enough to deal with grease stains along with the cornstarch that was applied on it.
Does starch ruin dress shirts?
If you have dress shirts, it is usually treated with starch to increase the firmness of the fabrics. When heavy starch is used on garments, it can both protect and cause harm at the same time.
It is important to note that shirts undergo two forms of abrasions – “flat” which occurs when the shirt rubs against other surfaces while it is worn and “flex” which refers to the stretching of the fibers when the person moves.
Starch protects dress shirts which allows them to endure higher degrees of flat abrasion. Nevertheless, since starch stiffens the fibers and makes them less flexible, it lowers the degree of flex abrasion a garment can withstand.
Does starch wash out of clothes?
If you want cotton clothes to stay smooth and crispy, laundry starch is used. Sadly, it is usually starchy and crunchy, especially if too much is used.
Whether the cleaner overdid the application of starch, acquire something that is pre-loaded with starch or simply want a softer feel and look, you can easily wash the starch out of clothes. A quick rinse or a run through the washing machine can deal with this issue. Remember that starch is designed to dissolve in water, so it is expected to come out when washed.
How do you remove spray starch stains?
A way to remove spray starch stains is by sprinkling baking soda straight onto non-delicate surfaces, where the stubborn stain is. Start by using a little cleaning solution and then add the baking soda. Scrub the paste into the stain with a toothbrush until you have gotten rid of the starch.
Final thoughts
If you want to remove excess starch or starch stains on your clothes, there are several methods that you can utilize. With the methods on how to remove starch stains from clothes discussed, you can get rid of starch in no time.
