If you like crisp shirts - shirts so stiff that they can stand alone; shirts so stiff that they crackle when you bend your elbow; shirts so stiff that your posture immediately becomes that of a Marine at full attention, you probably rely on a professional laundry to handle your shirts. I can't say that I would enjoy wearing such a shirt, but they do look really sharp and professional.
If you'd like to achieve the same level of "stiff as a board" fabric at home, there are a few things that you should know. By following these tips, you may even be able to make some extra cash on the side by doing laundry for your co-workers!
Start With The Right Fabric
One of the keys to crisp shirt success is selecting the right type of shirt. The shirt must be a woven fabric. You cannot achieve a crisp shirt with a knit fabric.
Shirts made of natural fibers like cotton or linen will hold the starch and their crispness much better than a blend of natural and synthetic (cotton/polyester) fibers or a hundred percent synthetic fabric.
If the shirt is labeled dry clean only, you will not be able to successfully apply the amount of starch needed to achieve crispness.
Gather The Best Supplies
- Iron - For the best and crispest results, you need an iron with a clean non-stick soleplate and adjustable temperature. It does not need to be a steam iron. Steam does not equal crispness; so, obviously, a clothes steamer is out.
- Ironing Board - An ironing board with a heat reflective ironing board cover is essential to crisp shirt. The contoured shape of the board will help you prevent unwanted creases. You will also need the stiffness of the board (as opposed to ironing on the bed) to provide the support the fabric needs.
- Starch - We have saved the best and most important supply for last, the starch. No sizing allowed. Sizing does not add the stiffness that you desire. Sizing will simply add a whisper of body to the fabric. (It is good for synthetic finishes because it adds some soil-resistance).Starch can be purchased in aerosol cans or in liquid or powdered form. You can even make it at home. For the straight-from-the-cleaner crispness, you need to use a liquid starch because the entire shirt needs to be dipped.
Get Ready To Dip
Yes, I said dipping. A quick spritz of aerosol canned starch or even diluted liquid starch will not provide enough crispness for the finish you want. You will need to dip the freshly washed shirt in diluted starch. Here are the steps:
- Fill a large plastic storage container or laundry room sink with three gallons of water and 2 cups of liquid starch.
- Submerge the clean shirt(s) in the water/starch mixture. Be sure that the entire shirt is saturated and then wring out and hang to dry.
- Do not allow the shirt to dry completely. It should be ironed while still damp. However, if you can't iron right away you can very lightly mist the shirt with water before ironing.
Iron Away
Heavily starched shirts are ironed the same way as any shirt. Since the shirt is cotton or linen, use the highest heat recommended for those fibers. Again, remember to skip the steam.
Start with the collar and be sure to iron both sides with the collar flat on the ironing board. Next, move to the shoulder area or yoke and place it on the narrow end of the ironing board. Iron from one shoulder, across the back of the yoke, to the other shoulder.
Move to the sleeves by laying one sleeve flat and extended on the ironing board. Hold the cuff in one hand to make the fabric taut and iron from the armpit across the bottom seam and iron a crease into the top of the sleeve. Next, iron the cuff and do the other sleeve.
Now, iron the body of the shirt taking care not to wrinkle the areas that you have already finished.
When you are finished, hang your crisp shirt on a hanger so it is ready for your next occasion.