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Cleaning Up:  I need ironing help!  |
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SarahJ
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Shreveport
Louisiana
198 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 4:52:43 PM
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| Ok ladies, I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. Whenever I use starch while ironing, it turns into white flakes that look horrible. I have to go back and use a lint brush on all the clothes. Is it the brand of starch, something I am doing? I could sure use some farmgirl smarts on this one. |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 5:09:30 PM
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So Sorry Pumpkin.. I have the same problem too!!
I usually just spray with water now though..
less trouble on my end.. But no nice crisp lines..
i've resigned myself to accepting that i simply can't have everything!
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 5:51:38 PM
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It sounds like your starch is overly concentrated. Is it a mix-you-own starch? I hardly ever buy or wear clothes that need ironing (my mom would probably say that some of my clothes really DO need ironing...)so I don't have much idea here. Hopefully some of the other ladies have an idea. I know I saw a mention of starching somewhere in one of my books that is around here somewhere...I will post more when I did up that reference :)
Alee |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 10:18:32 PM
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Okay - I love ironing and I use spray starch, too - sometimes I use cornstarch in water, but other times I use the lemon-scented Faultless spray starch - not the heavy stuff, just the regular. It flakes if I overspray, too - you might want to check the nozzle on the sprayer to make sure it's not a little bit plugged or anything that might cause the starch to come out in a stream instead of a spray - and I also have good luck when I shake the can before I spray. I sure hope it helps - flakes are so irritating!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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SarahJ
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Shreveport
Louisiana
198 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 06:40:03 AM
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| Thanks ladies! Kay, what would be the best way to clean my iron? |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 06:10:16 AM
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Hi, there, SarahJ! I use the Faultless iron cleaning stuff that you squeeze on an old towel then run a hot iron over it - it works really well. It comes in little tubes that are sold in packages of two if I remember right... I hope that works well for you - ironing can really be a relaxing thing (maybe it's weird, but I DO really like it...).
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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psouper
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
50 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 12:30:58 PM
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Have you tried spraying and then waiting a minute before ironing? Gives the starch a chance to settle into the fabric. Otherwise, it just lays on top and you iron right away, causing the flaking. Try it and see if it's better.
I clean the bottom of my iron with a washcloth wet with vinegar.
I have ruined too many white dress shirts with red fuzzy fusible webbing leftovers on the bottom of my iron!
Polly
www.favoriteapron.blogspot.com |
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Beecharmer
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Kelly
Richland
WA
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2007 : 8:11:08 PM
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I do what polly does. I let it soak into the fabric first. Clean the bottom of my iron and don't have much trouble with flaking.
GrayHawk Farm
Prosser, WA |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2007 : 8:23:13 PM
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I switched from starch to "sizing" until I couldn't find it anymore; then I went back to starch, but it came in a squirt bottle rather than a can-much better and voila...no flakes. The sizing is a little bit lighter than starch and I had less problems with the white flakes.It could be that the iron is too hot. Or that you are spraying too closely or too much. They gave some suggestions for being "flake-free" on the squirt bottle, but unfortunately I finished it a few days ago. When I go by the store to pick up more I'll check and see what it sees and pass it on.
amanda
http://www.theheadlettuce.blogspot.com
Too much of a good thing is wonderful.
Mae West |
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lilpunkin
True Blue Farmgirl
368 Posts
Texas
USA
368 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2007 : 9:36:24 PM
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I use starch on my stuff. And after I spray it I run my hand over it to hel pget it into the fabric. Then I iron, otherwise it will flake.
Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, but by how many moments take your breath away. |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2007 : 07:30:52 AM
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I mist with water before spraying with the starch and this solved my "flake" problems. I think the water helps the fabric absorb the starch. You will laugh at this...when I was growing up (50s and 60s) my mom starched everything including our underwear. To this day at age 81 she still irons everything, sheets, pillowcases, dishtowels dads boxer shorts, you get the picture.
Hugs, Kathy |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2007 : 08:30:05 AM
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wow! I can't imagine ironing everything- but I love the way ironed clothes smell and look. Maybe I need to find the time in my life to start ironing my laundry!
Alee |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2007 : 10:34:01 AM
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Ummmmmmm. I try not to iron if at all possible, except when I'm sewing!!
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 4:12:48 PM
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| Try Mrs. Meyers Ironing Spray - no flakes, light fragrance, but it's not like heavy starch |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 5:02:33 PM
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I use Faultless also. It never has never flaked for me either. I also use an iron with a teflon coating on the bottom. I don't know if that makes a difference.
Jana |
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Pearlsnjeans
True Blue Farmgirl
248 Posts
Vicki
West Haven
Utah
USA
248 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2007 : 8:14:21 PM
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Here's another idea for cleaning the bottom of your iron...
Mix a thick paste out of 2 tbsp. baking soda and a bit of water.
Dip a clean rag into the mixture and scrub the iron's sole plate until the caked-on spray starch loosens and wipes away. You may need to use some elbow grease. Wipe the sole plate clean with a second clean, wet rag. Hope it works for you.
who says Farmgirls aren't elegant |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 04:57:48 AM
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Okay ladies, now, how about if you have just scorched a lovely old textile in your ironing exuberence! I could kick myself! Can it be saved? Please help! I could cry!
Angie.
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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Cleaning Up: I need ironing help! |
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I need ironing help!
