When getting my dress shirts tailored, the worker always asks me if I prefer light, med, or heavy starch. I usually go with medium, because I prefer the look of a nice, crisp dress shirt. What do you guys think?
Light, Medium, or Heavy Starch for Dress Shirts?
ramair57
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Shirt care tip: If you use a commercial shirt laundry and you have a preference for starch, insist that they use a natural wheat starch, not a synthetic starch. Your shirts will feel more comfortable and last much longer.
Here's some more information on that subject...
Blog post link: Why you light starched shirts feel stiff
Link: http:www.ravefabricare.com/true-quality-cleaning/2010/8/19/why-your-light-starched-shirts-feel-stiff.aspx
Here's some more information on that subject...
Blog post link: Why you light starched shirts feel stiff
Link: http:www.ravefabricare.com/true-quality-cleaning/2010/8/19/why-your-light-starched-shirts-feel-stiff.aspx
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+1 on no synthetic starch. As a note, synthetic doesn't seem to wash out thoroughly in commercial machines, according to the manager of my local cleaner's establishment. Therefore if you DO you synthetic, you should wash them yourself prior to having them laundered. My past experience with commercial cleaners caused me to wash my shirts beforehand years ago. I always opt for no starch. I have found there's always enough residual starch in the press to give a crisp feel to my shirts w/o starch. Of course that's merely my personal experience...
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+1 for no starch...ever
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When I first started working, I opted for medium starch, because I wanted the crisp, military look in my shirts. This caused me to go through shirts at an extraordinary rate. The would eventually get holes in them at the creases.
For a number of years I used light startch, which is a compromise between short life and having a crisp shirt.
At the moment I am mostly wearing non-iron shirts from Nordstrom and BB and doing them myself at home--no starch.
I think it comes down to personal preference, but I have found that both starch and commercial laundering, either alone or in combination, are bad for your shirts.
For a number of years I used light startch, which is a compromise between short life and having a crisp shirt.
At the moment I am mostly wearing non-iron shirts from Nordstrom and BB and doing them myself at home--no starch.
I think it comes down to personal preference, but I have found that both starch and commercial laundering, either alone or in combination, are bad for your shirts.
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354 Posts
I've been a medium-starch guy since 1982. I have not once experienced any accelerated wear (comparing them to my sport shirts, which I have never starched), and not once have I had a shirt "ruined" by starch. (I have had commercial launderers break buttons, but you didn't ask about that.)
Try light, medium, no starch, and see what you prefer.
Good luck,
Don
Try light, medium, no starch, and see what you prefer.
Good luck,
Don
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140 Posts
What's the easiest way to determine the quality of a commercial laundry, other than assuming more expensive equals better, or sending shirts there for a few washings and hoping they don't get damaged?
Response to Georgetown08:
Here are 2 "quick read" blog posts to aid you in selecting a true quality commercial shirt laundry....
Blog post: Your shirt laundry bill of rights
Blog link: https://www.ravefabricare.com/true-quality-cleaning/2010/4/20/your-shirt-laundry-bill-of-rights.aspx
Blog post: A true quality cleaner's shirt laundry standards
Blog link: https://www.ravefabricare.com/true-...uality-cleaning/2010/6/29/a-true-quality-cleaner's-shirt-laundry-standards.aspx
If you don't find a shirt laundry that meets or exceeds all these standards, go with the local cleaner that meets the majority of these standards.
Warning: Don't take the cleaner at his/her word. First, educate yourself about the specific standards identified above and then -- and only then -- question/interrogate the cleaner (preferably the owner or manager) in person. I'll bet that you'll find that the chasm between the verbal product explained to you and the actual product delivered to you will be as wide as the Grand Canyon.
Here are 2 "quick read" blog posts to aid you in selecting a true quality commercial shirt laundry....
Blog post: Your shirt laundry bill of rights
Blog link: https://www.ravefabricare.com/true-quality-cleaning/2010/4/20/your-shirt-laundry-bill-of-rights.aspx
Blog post: A true quality cleaner's shirt laundry standards
Blog link: https://www.ravefabricare.com/true-...uality-cleaning/2010/6/29/a-true-quality-cleaner's-shirt-laundry-standards.aspx
If you don't find a shirt laundry that meets or exceeds all these standards, go with the local cleaner that meets the majority of these standards.
Warning: Don't take the cleaner at his/her word. First, educate yourself about the specific standards identified above and then -- and only then -- question/interrogate the cleaner (preferably the owner or manager) in person. I'll bet that you'll find that the chasm between the verbal product explained to you and the actual product delivered to you will be as wide as the Grand Canyon.
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152 Posts
I know this is an older thread and I am late to the party, but I thought it might be interesting to revive since I am moving toward NO IRON shirts, but have a few that do require ironing, and IMO, starch.
I have a few Ike Behar, one Polo and an older Lands End that I do starch. While I could probably do without in a pinch for the Polo and the Lands End, the Behar's are really dreadful without starch. I've tried lightly starching them, but it does not seem to do the job well enough for a crisp, clean collar and cuff, not to mention the body of the shirt. The collars look awful without starch. I frequently do medium starch on these.
For No-Iron shirts, I have had really great luck with Eddie Bauer, although I do not care for the cut. Out of the dryer, these shirts look like they have had heavy starch.
I have a few Ike Behar, one Polo and an older Lands End that I do starch. While I could probably do without in a pinch for the Polo and the Lands End, the Behar's are really dreadful without starch. I've tried lightly starching them, but it does not seem to do the job well enough for a crisp, clean collar and cuff, not to mention the body of the shirt. The collars look awful without starch. I frequently do medium starch on these.
For No-Iron shirts, I have had really great luck with Eddie Bauer, although I do not care for the cut. Out of the dryer, these shirts look like they have had heavy starch.
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