Tall Mens Fashion Advice

How To Starch Clothes In Washing Machine: Full Guide

Learn how to add starch to clothes in your washing machine

How to Starch Clothes in Washing Machine

Laundry Starch

To starch your clothes in the washing machine you will first want to run the load through a full wash cycle. Only once the wash is done will you then reset the wash back to the start of then ‘rinse cycle.’ This is when you add your liquid starch to the machine and let the load run through the rinse cycle, this time with liquid starch being added to it.

This is How to Starch Clothes in Washing Machine: Full Guide.

Welcome to our article, taking you through the steps needed to starch your clothes in the washing machine. 

Starching your clothes will help them become dirt-resistant and stiffen them up more, adding a slight sheen. Most people starch their jeans over other clothing for cleanliness and safety purposes. Learn more about why do people starch their jeans.

How To Starch Clothes In Washing Machine

What You'll Need

  • Liquid starch
  • Washing machine
  • Laundry detergent
  • Drying rack
this is a photo of liquid starch which you will need to starch your clothes at home
Liquid starch
this is a photo of laundry detergent which you will need to starch your clothes at home
Laundry detergent
this is a photo of a washing machine which you will need to starch your clothes at home
Washing machine
this is a photo of a drying rack which you will need to starch your clothes at home
Drying rack

How To Starch Clothes In Washing Machine

1. Put only clothes you want starched in

Put all the clothes into the washing machine that you want starched. 

this is a photo only of clothes going to be starched in the wash

2. Run the washing machine as normal

Run the entire course of the washing machine (how long does a washer take?). Prewashing if clothes are filthy. Putting in laundry detergent to clean the clothes.

this is a photo of a washing machine being run

3. Reset machine to final rinse cycle

After the rinse cycle is over, reset the machine back to the final rinse cycle.

this is a photo of a washing machine being reset to rinse cycle

4. Prepare your starch for the clothes

When using liquid starch, shake the bottle to ensure even distribution. If you’re using powder starch, mix 1-2tbsp of starch in a cup of water and stir to ensure the starch is well mixed with the water.

this is a photo of liquid starch being prepared to starch clothes

5. Pour the liquid starch into the detergent drawer

Pour the liquid starch into the detergent drawer. Add in a bit of water to help the solution into the basin.

this is a photo of liquid starch being added to the washing machine to starch clothes

6. Run the rinse cycle again

Press the run button and let the rinse cycle complete.

this is a photo of tall paul running the rinse cycle again with starch in it

7. Air dry your starched clothes

Once done with the second rinse cycle, take out your clothes and hang to air dry. Making sure the fabric is as smooth as possible and hung in a natural way for each piece of clothing.

this is a photo of clothes being air dried after being starched

Follow the same rules as you would with any wash and wash white clothes with whites, wash dark clothes with darks and wash colored clothes with colored.

Or if your like me and have no time for all that, just wash your clothes in one go and cross your fingers.

Once your clothes have been starched put them away properly by folding your clothes or hanging them up in the closet.

And check out these other garments you can starch at home.

How to starch clothes in washing machine: quick tips

  • When searching, ensure that the washer is not overloaded and the water level covers your laundry completely.
  • Read the instructions on the starch container to avoid overstarching. This can cause scorching when ironing and make the clothes uncomfortable to wear.
  • When starching colored garments, it is better to have them inside out before applying the starch.

FAQ

You can put starch in laundry in multiple ways. Adding the starch mixture to your laundry during the rinse cycle and spraying your clothes with a starch/water combination are the most common.

Yes, you can use cornstarch in the washing machine. Be sure to use the correct amount and don’t overdo it. Also, add the starch during your second rinse cycle.

You only need to soak your clothes in starch for 10-15 minutes. This first depends on how you plan to finalize your starching, with an iron or sticking in the washing machine.

Yes, you can use liquid stiffener (starch) in the washing machine. Add it to the machine after you entirely go through one cycle and do your second rinse cycle.

Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.

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