Flat collars, limp cuffs, and wrinkled seams make clean laundry look half-finished. This simple homemade laundry starch fixes that with a dry mix you can keep on hand and mix as needed. It takes about a minute to throw together, which is handy because the ironing pile never waits politely.
A commercial ironing spray can cost far more per bottle than a homemade starch mix made from pantry staples. This version lets you control the strength by using the full spray-bottle ratio for crisp pressing or adding more water for a lighter starch bath.
You only need 2 materials for the dry mix: cornstarch and wheat starch. The batch stores in a labeled zip-top sandwich bag, and when you are ready to use it, you will also need water plus a spray bottle if you want a spray application.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Laundry Starch
- 🛠️ How to Use Laundry Starch
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety and Care
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Laundry Starch
- 📌 Love this Laundry Starch? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Laundry Starch
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup wheat starch
- Water, for mixing before use
Tools/Equipment
- Ziploc sandwich bag
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spray bottle, if using as a spray starch
- Label
How to Make Laundry Starch
- Measure 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup wheat starch.
- Combine both starches in a ziploc sandwich bag.
- Seal the bag tightly and label it so it is ready to use when you need it.
If you want another pressing option, you can also see this related MYO Heavy Spray Starch and this simple Laundry Starch Spray.
How to Use Laundry Starch
- Dissolve 2 teaspoons of the dry starch mix in 1 cup water.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle if you want to starch specific areas such as collars, cuffs, plackets, or hems.
- Apply the starch mixture to damp fabric with the spray bottle.
- For a lighter all-over treatment, dilute the mixture with more water and moisten fabrics in a starch bath if desired.
Use a lighter hand on delicate fabrics and test a small hidden area first if you are working with a fabric that spots easily or shows residue. If you are already mixing other wash-day basics, this collection of homemade laundry products can help round out the rest of the routine.
Customization Ideas
- For a crisper finish: Use the standard ratio of 2 teaspoons dry mix to 1 cup water in a spray bottle.
- For a lighter finish: Dilute with more water before spraying or use it as a starch bath.
- For ironing day convenience: Mix only as much as you need so you can tailor the strength to the fabric in front of you instead of committing the whole load to one stiffness level.
Safety and Care
This mix contains wheat starch, so label it clearly if anyone in your household avoids wheat ingredients. The FDA notes that wheat is a major food allergen and should be identified on product labels, which is a good reminder to keep your homemade mix marked just as clearly in your laundry area. FDA guidance on food allergens
Shake or stir the wet mixture well before use if the starch settles. Avoid overapplying on dark fabrics until you know how heavily your bottle sprays, since too much starch can leave visible residue once it dries.
Storage
Store the dry mix sealed in its labeled zip-top bag in a cool, dry place. Mix the starch with water only when you need it for ironing day, since the dry blend stores more neatly and gives you better control over the final strength.
Cost Breakdown
This batch is inexpensive to make. Using a current Walmart price of $1.92 for 16 ounces of cornstarch, the 1 cup cornstarch in this project works out to roughly $0.96. Wheat starch pricing varies widely by brand and package size, so the total batch cost is best treated as an estimate rather than a fixed number.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Great Value Corn Starch, 16 oz at Walmart
- Wheat starch options on Amazon
- Spray bottles on Amazon
- More homemade spray starch ideas on Budget101
Frequently Asked Questions about Laundry Starch
Yes. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of the dry mix in 1 cup water, then apply it to damp fabric with a spray bottle.
Yes. You can dilute the mixed starch with more water and moisten fabrics in a starch bath if you want a lighter all-over finish.
No. The dry mix is meant to stay stored in the labeled bag. Mix only the amount you need, starting with 2 teaspoons per 1 cup water.
This formula uses both because that is the blend that gives the project its intended result. Keep the original ratio the same: 1 cup cornstarch to 1/2 cup wheat starch.
This method is written for damp fabric. If the item is already dry, lightly dampen it first so the starch applies more evenly.
It can if you spray too heavily or do not fully dissolve the starch first. Mix it well, shake before use if it settles, and test on a hidden area when you are working with dark fabrics.
Keep it sealed and labeled in the zip-top bag in a cool, dry place until you are ready to mix a small batch with water.
No. A spray bottle works well for collars, cuffs, and spot treatment, but you can also dilute the mixture further and use it as a starch bath.
Yes. Since this formula includes wheat starch, label the bag clearly so nobody mistakes it for plain cornstarch or another laundry powder.
📌 Love this Laundry Starch? Pin it!
Did you try this project? Tell us whether you used it in a spray bottle or a starch bath and what worked best for your ironing routine.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Laundry Starch
Laundry Starch
Equipment
Materials
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup wheat starch
- Water for mixing before use
Instructions
- Measure 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup wheat starch.
- Combine both in a ziploc sandwich bag.
- Seal the bag and label it.
- To use, dissolve 2 teaspoons of the dry mix in 1 cup water.
- Apply to damp fabric with a spray bottle.
- Dilute with more water and moisten fabrics in a starch bath, if desired.
