Homemade Starch

Starch is used in laundry work to stiffen cotton and lien fabrics. It gives the fabrics a smooth surface and fresh look. A starched article keeps clean longer than an unstarched article because dirt cannot adhere easily to the smooth surface.

In many countries around the world, laundry starch is commonly obtained from cassava. It can, however, be equally obtained from potatoes, rice, yams, cocoyams, maize, etc. Starch from these other food-stuffs isnot as strong as the one obtained from cassava. The starch from these other sources is useful when only light stiffening is needed.

How Starch Works

In boiling water, starch gelatinizes or jellifies. When it is applied to a fabric, it coats the fibres. When the fabric is finished with hot iron, the coated fibres stick tegether, making a compact stiffened fabric.

Guidelines for using Starch

1. Prepare the starch properly to prevent lumps from forming.

2. Do not use lumpy starch. Strain it through a clean starch bag (a small bag made from calico) before use.

3. Use a basin large enough to hold the article to be starched.

4. Stir the starch thoroughly before use.

5. Wring out or extract as much water as possible from the article before starching.

6. See that every part of hte article is evenly starched. Starch one article at a time.

Process of Making Cassava Starch

1. Peel off the cassava skin.
2. Wash the peeled cassava thoroughly.
3. Grate the cassava into a clean bowl.
4. Add cold water to the grated cassava and mix well.
5. Strain the content carefully through a clean piece of cloth or muslin.
6. Add more water to the chaff, and extract more starch. Repeat the process until all starch is extracted.
7. Allow the starch to settle, and place the starch into a clean muslin. Press to get rid of as much moisture as possible.
8. Place starch in shallow trays and leave in the sun to dry thoroughly before storage .

This is boiling or hot water starch.

Different Types of Starch and their Applications.

Hot or Boiling Water Starch

1. Mix 2 tablespoonfuls of starch with a small quantity of cold water. Mix thoroughly into a smooth mixure.

2. Add boiling water, stirring rapidly until the mixture thickens or gelatinizes into a semi-transparent grey jelly.

3. This is full strength starch. In order to use, add cold water until the required strength or consistency. Remove any lumps by straining through a clean muslin.

4. Place the washed article into the solution. Squeeze and knead it to make sure that the starch get evenly into the fabric.

5. Remove excess water and put out to dry.

6. Iron with hot iron while the article is still damp.

Cold Water Starch

This does not require hot water. It is used for stiffen light articles, collars, and cuffs of shirts and blouses, etc.

1. Mix 1 tablespoonful of starch into a smooth cream with a smally quantity of cold water. Whee many articles are to be stiffened, the quantity of starch can be increased.

2. Add more water and mix well to obtain the desired strength.

3. Place the articles in hte solution. Squeeze thoroughly. Extract water and dry.

4. Iron with a hot iron.