Fabric stiffener is a product that, when added to fabric before ironing, makes the fabric easier to work with. It also helps keep your clothes looking neat and crisp by preventing them from becoming wrinkled. If you are wondering how to prepare fabric stiffener, there are many different methods for doing so! In this article I will be listing 7 of them.
There are many different ways to prepare fabric stiffeners. Some people like using the spray bottle method, while others prefer brushing it on instead. You can also dip your clothes into a bucket of prepared stiffener if you want! The list below will show you ten methods for preparing this product – I hope that at least one of them is something new and interesting to try out!
1. White Glue Method to Prepare Fabric Stiffener
The first option to prepare fabric stiffener turns out very similar to starch and it works on cotton, linen, or other natural fibers. You will need water, salt and some white glue for this method. Mix one part of salt with two parts of cornstarch in a large bowl while adding little by little bit until you get a thick paste-like mixture. Add the white glue into the mix but do not add too much since it might cause bubbles when drying up later on so add just enough amount until there are no visible globs left. Apply the mixture onto your fabric and leave it to dry overnight. After that, iron out your fabric to set the stiffener in place.
This method is great if you want to avoid chemicals but I do not recommend this since there are many other methods which work better than this one.
2. Bathtub Method
The next option to prepare fabric stiffener at home involves using ingredients we usually have around our homes; baking soda and vinegar. The first step would be mixing equal parts of both ingredients together until they form a paste-like consistency like with the white glue method mentioned before.
Now apply this on top of your desired fabrics as evenly as possible and let them dry completely after that (it might take up 24 hours for it to dry completely). Once you have completed these steps, press the fabric with a medium heat iron.
This is one of our favorite methods for making Fabric Stiffeners because that way you can avoid using chemicals and still get very decent results without any hassle at all.
3. Wondering How to Prepare Fabric Stiffener? Use this Egg Method
The next method includes two simple ingredients which are an egg white and vodka or another clear alcohol (if preferred). The first step would be adding some drops of your chosen alcohol into your egg white until there are no visible globs left in it anymore. Now apply this on top of your desired fabrics as evenly as possible while taking care not to use too much since the stiffner might cause bubbles when drying up later on so add just enough amount until there are no visible globs left. Leave the fabric like this for around 24 hours and after that, press it with a medium heat iron.
This is one of my favorite methods too because I can make Fabric Stiffners using ingredients which would be easy to find anywhere in case I lack any items needed for other methods.
4. Use Salt Water Method to Prepare Fabric Stiffener
The next option includes salt water as the primary ingredient so you will need some table salt (coarse sea salt works best) along with hot tap water into your container or bowl while stirring constantly until all lumps have vanished completely from the mixture. After that, simply apply this on top of your fabrics evenly by brushing them lightly before leaving the garments overnight at room temperature. Once they have dried completely, you can iron them at a medium heat.
This method is great for clothing which will be exposed to heavy use and normal wear since the stiffener does not cause any discoloration after it has been applied onto items such as cloth diapers or other garments meant to be used in direct contact with skin.
5. Flour Method to Prepare Fabric Stiffener
The next option requires only two ingredients; all-purpose flour and water while adding just enough water until you get a thick paste-like mixture (you might want to adjust this according to your needs). Add some drops of vinegar into your mix if preferred before applying this on top of desired fabrics uniformly by brushing them lightly to allow even distribution over fabric’s surface area. Leave these like this overnight before pressing them with a medium heat iron.
6. Cornstarch and Glue Method
The next option requires corn starch, water and white glue into your container while stirring it constantly until all lumps have vanished completely from the mixture. Add just enough glue before adding some drops of vinegar into your mix if preferred (you might want to adjust this according to your needs). Now apply this on top of desired fabrics uniformly by brushing them lightly but you should allow 24 hours for stiffener-treated fabric to dry up properly before pressing things smooth with an iron set on medium temperature.
7. Glue and Salt Method to Prepare Fabric Stiffener
The next option requires white glue, water and salt into your container or bowl while stirring it constantly until all lumps have vanished completely from the mixture. Add just enough glue before adding some drops of vinegar into your mix if preferred (you might want to adjust this according to your needs). Now apply this on top of desired fabrics uniformly by brushing them lightly but you should allow 24 hours for stiffener-treated fabric to dry up properly before pressing things smooth with an iron set on medium temperature then let everything air dry overnight after that.
Conclusion
If you have a good fabric stiffener recipe, feel free to comment below. I would love to try out some new recipes too! If you are looking for more information about the ingredients needed when working with different fabrics then read this article . It will give you all the guidelines that are important if you want your clothes or other products made from clothes to last longer.
