3 Methods to Starch Jeans: You Shouldn’t Miss

Do you want to take your jeans from ordinary and plain to expensive and exquisite? Then you need to starch them.

If you don’t know how to starch your jeans, don’t worry. This article will teach you everything you need to know. You don’t have to spend a lot of money whenever you want your jeans starched.

Plus, did you know you can make your own starch at home? Now you do.

Shall we?

Equipment Needed to Starch Jeans

What equipment do you need to starch jeans? Let’s find out.

Jeans

Get the pair of jeans you want to starch out. Ensure the jeans are your size.

Cornstarch or Fabric Starch

There are primarily three ways to starch jeans; one of them is by using cornstarch or fabric starch. Cornstarch is not commonly used to starch jeans, but it’s a reasonable alternative if you can’t access fabric starch.

Iron

You need iron to starch your jeans because it ensures excellent distribution of starch and even heat application. Using your hands to distribute the starch may not be as effective as using iron.

Washing machine

Another solid tool for starching jeans is the washing machine because, like the iron, it ensures excellent starch distribution.

Clothesline

After starching your jeans manually, you need a clothesline for drying them.

Laundry Detergent

Before starching jeans, you need a laundry detergent to wash the jeans thoroughly. You wouldn’t want to starch dirty jeans now, would you?

Ironing Board

An ironing board is used to straighten the jeans and distribute heat. If you don’t have an ironing board, don’t worry. Any flat surface will suffice.

Spray Bottle

This bottle is used for spraying the starch all over the jeans.

How to Starch Jeans

Here are three methods that you can use to starch jeans like a pro:

By Washing Machine

If you have a washing machine at home, you can use it to starch your jeans without stress. The goal is to ensure that your jeans are clean so you don’t starch dirt on them. Here are the steps to take:

1. Put your jeans in the washing machine and set to wash with laundry detergent and warm water. Ensure that the machine is set for a small load and avoid washing other items with it unless you intend to starch them as well, although this is not advisable.
2. Add the liquid fabric starch during the rinsing stage. Unlike what some people claim, not every pair of jeans requires heavy starch. Some brands require small amounts, so read the directions and do your research before doing this.
3. Hang the jeans to dry on the clothesline. Don’t squeeze it.
4. If it’s not as firm and crisp as you want, spray more starch on the jeans and iron.

By Ironing

Another way to starch your jeans is by ironing them. While this is the easiest method, you must be careful, or the starch will not be evenly distributed. Here are the steps to take:

1. Properly wash and dry your jeans. Nothing is worse than ironing smelly jeans. Plus, ironing sets stains in, so it’s hard to get them out later even when the starch wears off.
2. Prepare your starch. If you bought liquid starch, pour it into your spray bottle. You can make starch at home if you want. If the starch has been in the spray bottle for too long, shake it well before use.
3. Lay your jeans on the ironing board and spray the starch evenly around them. After that, leave for a few minutes to allow the starch to dissolve appropriately and set in. Note that the amount of starch you spray signifies how stiff you want it to be.
4. Do your research on how high the heat should be for your jeans. If you have a steam iron, don’t use the steam as it could interfere with the starching process.
5. Fold your jeans and iron them like you’d iron any other trousers. Ensure the middle seams are well-aligned, and press the iron lightly. Once you’re done with one side, flip the other and do the same.
6. Hang your jeans on the clothesline to dry.

Using Cornstarch

This method may be unconventional, but it works for people who don’t have fabric starch. Here’s how to do it:

1. Take a bowl. Pour two teaspoons of cornstarch into one cup of water, and then stir to mix.
2. dd some more water to make a blob-like or starchy mixture. You will soon see it rise.
3. Add a little more water and consistently stir the mixture. You will see that the entire cornstarch will dissolve entirely and form a cloudy texture. That’s why you don’t add the water all at once. If you do, the mixture will be lumpy.
4. Pour the cornstarch water into a bottle and spray on the jeans accordingly. Then, iron your jeans.
5. Leave your jeans to dry on the clothesline.

How to Maintain Starched Jeans

Now that you’ve starched your jeans, what’s next?

Avoid Frequent Washing

When you starch your jeans, don’t wash them for a while. Washing it will diminish the starch’s effect. It could even cause wear and tear of some parts and even fade the jeans.

Gentle Washing

If you must wash, please wash gently. That’s why it’s super important to wash jeans before starching and removing any stains so that you don’t have to do much work afterward. Gentle washing also reduces color fading and stops unwanted creases from popping up.

Stain Blotting

If your starched jeans have a stain, don’t wash the entire jeans or just that section. You wouldn’t want to wear starched jeans with a section that is loose or not properly starched.

Look at the stain and figure out what caused it, then take a clean cloth (or whatever can effectively take it off) and quickly blot the stain, not rub it.

Store Properly

Knowing how to store your starched jeans properly is as vital as knowing how to starch jeans because storage can make or mar your efforts. You either hang or fold your jeans. If you have enough closet space, hang your jeans. If not, fold them.

Don’t overcrowd your jeans as well. Humidity and extreme temperature changes can damage them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions frequently asked

How do you loosen starchy jeans?

If you want to unstarch your jeans, there are two significant ways to go about it. First, soak your jeans in warm water for at least five minutes, then squeeze your jeans properly.

Ensure you squeeze essential parts, like the back pockets, waist area, and legs, because those parts often remain stiff even after the overall starch wears off.

Second, soak in warm water and vinegar for at least an hour. Then wash to remove the smell and leave to dry.

Does Starch Fade Jeans?

Yes, in most cases, starching fades jeans, especially when you do it multiple times.

How Do I Keep My Jeans Starched?

The key to keeping your jeans starched is storage. If you have closet space, I highly recommend hanging your jeans. But if you don’t, folding is fine. Just ensure that you fold it properly and do not leave creases all over.

Plus, don’t wash your jeans often. That’s why you must wash them before searching, as it’s difficult to remove stains afterward. If you find your jeans a bit snug after washing, consider reading our article on “5 Methods To Stretch Jeans” for easy solutions.

Why is Starching Jeans Important?

Here are a few reasons why people starch their jeans and why you should too:

Freshness

Undeniably, starched jeans are fresh all day long. Starching helps the jeans to stay fresh and crisp for as long as possible. One major reason jeans don’t last long is that they sag and lose their shape over time. Starching helps to prevent this, thereby elongating the jeans’ lifespan.

Enhanced Appearance

Many people mistakenly believe that, aside from washing, jeans don’t require much maintenance. That’s why their jeans don’t look sharp for long.

One easy way to upgrade your appearance, even if you’re just trying to achieve a casual look, is by wearing starched jeans. It makes you look tidy, comported, and more polished.

Crease Retention

Starching helps you to retain folds and creases. Do you like creases on your jeans? Whether you like them or not, starching can help you. If you prefer defined creases on your jeans, starching can help you maintain them for a longer period.

If not, you can ensure that your jeans are straight so that starching retains that shape.

Oozes Professionalism

Who says you can’t wear jeans for corporate settings? Yes, jeans are often worn for casual or informal events, but when you starch your jeans, they look so good that you can rock them to the office or a work event.

Less Likely to Wrinkle

If properly maintained, jeans don’t wrinkle as much as other clothes. But when they do, it’s difficult to return them to their default state. Starching jeans help to prevent this. When you starch your jeans, the starch holds your jeans in place. You don’t have to spend so much time ironing to straighten your clothes.

Final Words

So there you have it, people!

I’d always wanted to know how to starch jeans for the longest time. I remember when I spent so much money for the drycleaners to do that for me, but not anymore. With the methods I shared in this article, you can starch your jeans anytime.