make your own spray starch?

Just curious how many of you make your own, buy store bought, or whatever for starch. I have found a couple of recipes, but some of them say it will spoil, you have to boil it, or you have to add something else, Borax, or Lavender Oil to keep it from spoiling. I would by the Best Press, that I bought last time, but when looking at their website again, I realized just how expensive it is, and thought I could use those funds on more fabric, if I could make my own starch. So i'm wondering who does make their own, and what their recipe is?

I was going to order a gallon of Best Press from Amazon, but then I realized that Hancock's Fabric store sells it. I got it on a good sale and ended up paying $4.00 for a bottle that sells for $8.95 at the LQS. I used part of it and then filled the bottle with distilled water because I've seen people here say they water theirs down. It still works as well as the full strength stuff. I'll keep buying from Hancock's as long as I can get it on sale.

I use Best Press. I get it at Hancock fabrics and I always use a 50% off coupon from Joann's. I also dilute it. about a 60% Best Press and 40% water. I get the same results and pleasant scent by diluting it that I do using it full strength.

back in the day, we used corn starch: 2 cups of water & 1 tablespoon of corn starch mixed well & put into a spray bottle....add more water for a not so stiff texture...like sizing.
I've also bought grocery store spray starch & best press. They all work pretty well.

youtube has lots of recipes. you could start here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX-pDaXP8T0

I make my own and like to mix it heavy for a stiffer starch. I use so much around here (as a stabilizer for various crafts) that it never lasts long enough to go bad, so no need to add a preservative....

Good to know.

I use Best Press unscented and got it from Amazon.

I use Best Press diluted.

I use Best Press Full strength both the lavendar and unscented. I haven't thought about diluting it. I mainly use it when I use setting triangles or have an unruly hem to iron down.

I but Best Press by the gallon with a 50% off coupon at Joann's. I never thought about diluting it. I pour it into small spray bottles to keep downstairs for ironing and upstairs in my sewing room for pressing.

I use a recipe close to this and make my own. I have a gallon jug of it in my laundry room.
2 cups distilled water
2 ounces vodka
20 drops lavender essential oil

Love the Best Press. Thanks for the info on Hancock prices and using JoAnn's coupons. Always looking to lower this expensive price, but I do love this product!

Now this is a recipe I could get behind :-) I never thought about diluting it either, that would save money too! Thanks guys and dolls for all your great tips!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NanaB

I use a recipe close to this and make my own. I have a gallon jug of it in my laundry room.
2 cups distilled water
2 ounces vodka
20 drops lavender essential oil

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I do mix my own starch. I buy the half-gallon jug of concentrate and mix my own. It can be light or heavy starch whichever you prefer, and is much more economical than spray starch.
I do like Best Press as well, but sometimes I just need starch.

Here's a thought....If you live where there are silverfish bugs, they are attracted to fabrics with starch on them...also paper and other items. Using Best Press, which contains no starch or cornstarch will not attract silverfish, which can eat holes in your fabric. So, if you make a quilt using starched fabric, be sure to wash your quilt and any unused fabric with starch before you put it away. Barb