Do you remember Laundry Spray Starch?

[IrishEyes]

My oldest son and I were talking about things we don't have to smell anymore that
we did when he was young and he knocked me for a loop when he asked;
"What was that gawd-awful stuff you had to use on shirts when you ironed?"
I said "spray starch", he said It had a name, what was the name?
I had to look it up



What kind did your Mom or you use, back in the day?
Any other household things you no longer have to be tortured smelled with?

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I don’t remember my mom ever usng spray starch. I know I haven’t ever used it.

 

[Warrigal]

My earliest memories of laundry are of the copper tub of boiling water heated from below by wood kindling, three concrete tubs for rinsing the washing after being lifted out of the boiling water, a hand turned wringer known as a mangle and Mum preparing the starch for the embroidered doilies, tablecloths and the men's collars and sleeve cuffs.

The lumps of starch were first mixed with cold water then boiling water was poured into the mixture to dissolve the starch fully. I also remember my mother sprinkling water on the dry starched items and rolling them up tightly to be ironed the following day.

When I was a teen my rope petticoats were stiffened by this same method.

As an adult I did use spray starch on cotton garments as I ironed them.

 

[JustDave]

I don’t remember my mom ever usng spray starch. I know I haven’t ever used it.

I thought my mother put starch in one of the washing machine cycles, but I wasn't paying close attention, I was busying watching the rollers and how my mother would direct them from the wash, to the rinse, and second rinse. It was all very complicated. I don't remember any spray stuff. Never in my life, have I understood why collars needed to be starched. It made them stiff and formal, but so what?

 

[KSav]

I used to use spray starch all the time when ironing my ex's work clothes. With a 2+ hour commute each way, I was determined he would arrive at the office NOT looking like a wrinkled mess.

 

[IrishEyes]

I thought my mother put starch in one of the washing machine cycles, but I wasn't paying close attention, I was busying watching the rollers and how my mother would direct them from the wash, to the rinse, and second rinse. It was all very complicated. I don't remember any spray stuff. Never in my life, have I understood why collars needed to be starched. It made them stiff and formal, but so what?

I think they liked to use starch as most all shirts were 100% cotton and after a few washes they softened up, rolled on hem lines, etc.
I know appearance was very important over comfort back then. I hated that starch stiff feel myself,

 

[IrishEyes]

My earliest memories of laundry are of the copper tub of boiling water heated from below by wood kindling, three concrete tubs for rinsing the washing after being lifted out of the boiling water, a hand turned wringer known as a mangle and Mum preparing the starch for the embroidered doilies, tablecloths and the men's collars and sleeve cuffs.

The lumps of starch were first mixed with cold water then boiling water was poured into the mixture to dissolve the starch fully. I also remember my mother sprinkling water on the dry starched items and rolling them up tightly to be ironed the following day.

When I was a teen my rope petticoats were stiffened by this same method.

As an adult I did use spray starch on cotton garments as I ironed them.

My mom also mixed starch and water and had a refill bottle for her own mix too. Us kids knew that was not a cleaning liquid pretty quickly.

 

[spookycat2]

My mother used to use starch when I was a kid, but not since. I can't remember what kind, it wasn't the ones in the pic above.

 

[Aunt Bea]

We weren’t starch people.

I do remember the soft drink bottle with the sprinkler head that we used when we ironed.



Today, I live quite happily without an iron or an ironing board.

 

[IrishEyes]

We weren’t starch people.

I do remember the soft drink bottle with the sprinkler head that we used when we ironed.

View attachment 464394

Today, I live quite happily without an iron or an ironing board.

Aww Yes I remember those, they made great shower systems for my sisters Barbies too!

 

[IrishEyes]

Any other household things you no longer have to be tortured smelled with?

Mom's house (besides starch) either smelled like Pine Sol Nov-March or Lemons the rest of the months.
I still hate the smell of Pine Sol today. She doused our house in that for the Holidays especially even though
I begged for a Real Pine Tree for Christmas instead of that silver aluminum one we had.

 

[Jackie23]

My earliest memories of laundry are of the copper tub of boiling water heated from below by wood kindling, three concrete tubs for rinsing the washing after being lifted out of the boiling water, a hand turned wringer known as a mangle and Mum preparing the starch for the embroidered doilies, tablecloths and the men's collars and sleeve cuffs.

The lumps of starch were first mixed with cold water then boiling water was poured into the mixture to dissolve the starch fully. I also remember my mother sprinkling water on the dry starched items and rolling them up tightly to be ironed the following day.

When I was a teen my rope petticoats were stiffened by this same method.

As an adult I did use spray starch on cotton garments as I ironed them.

Yes, exactly like my mother did the laundry, she never used spray starch, but I did, I think the last can I bought is now several years old..

 

[Aunt Bea]

I’m so thankful that the hippie generation helped us to lower our standards.

Remember when our mothers cheerfully
waxed the kitchen appliances.

 

[Nathan]

I used the Faultless spray starch on my uniforms when I worked for the Sheriff's Department.

 

[DHH]

I still use it in my quilting.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I've used Faultless spray starch on my shirts all my adult life and have no plans to stop now. Except for shirts I wear around the house, I iron every shirt I wear in public. Spray starch makes the ironing easier, as well as making the shirt look better and hold it's shape.

 

[Oldeagle66]

I still use it and iron everything I wear. I like sharp creases in my pants. I even ironed money years ago.

 

[Fritz]

@IrishEyes I'm pretty sure my mom used Faultless and for some odd reason I loved the smell of that stuff when she ironed. I guess it was kind of a comforting smell for me. Not sure why.

 

[Lilac]

I use spray starch on lighter colored gym shoes. It keeps the dirt getting embedded in the material so they come out cleaner when I wash them. I take out the laces, spray them once letting them dry & then do it a second time.

My kid uses on things that she sews.

 

[Jules]

I don’t know if you can even find spray starch any more. A few years ago I bought some in the US because I couldn’t find it in Canada. I have no idea why I thought I needed it. It left spots on my clothes.

 

[Fritz]

I don’t know if you can even find spray starch any more. A few years ago I bought some in the US because I couldn’t find it in Canada. I have no idea why I thought I needed it. It left spots on my clothes.

Walmart still has it here. Plus some other places.

 

[hollydolly]

I don’t know if you can even find spray starch any more. A few years ago I bought some in the US because I couldn’t find it in Canada. I have no idea why I thought I needed it. It left spots on my clothes.

you can buy it in the shops and supermarkets here.. it's readily available online...

My mum never used starch when we were kids, and I always used to envy my friends whose school shirts always looked immaculate.. while mine got wrinkled during the day

as an adult I always found if I used spray starch my iron got burnt.. how do people prevent that ?

 

[Lilac]

@hollydolly, my non-stick iron doesn't do that, but I don't use it on high heat if I have to starch something. I also spray a light coat of starch.

 

[hollydolly]

@hollydolly, my non-stick iron doesn't do that, but I don't use it on high heat if I have to starch something. I also spray a light coat of starch.

yes my iron is non -stick as well.. the starch just seems to leave a burn mark on the iron plate. and because it's non stick I can't use wire wool to clean it...

 

[Lilac]

yes my iron is non -stick as well.. the starch just seems to leave a burn mark on the iron plate. and because it's non stick I can't use wire wool to clean it...

I just looked & seen several ways to clean a non-stick, but I'm not sure which one I would try. Some suggested a vinegar-baking soda paste, toothpaste & even a magic eraser. Some said to let it soak for 15 minutes if it's stubborn.

Like you, I'd start with the least abrasive & work up.