pressing spray recipe

I thought one of the selling points for Mary Ellen's is that it doesn't have starch? This recipe does. Bugs like starch. Other than that , this looks like an interesting recipe to make. KJ

Actually this is a way to scent a very light starch mix. It isn't a "starch alternative" at all. Would work well, but if I am going to starch it is usually because I want a lot more stiffness than a 1part to 4 part mix will give. With the Best Press, from Mary Ellen, there is no starch, so not the same worries about bugs.

Pati, in Phx

I'm confused about just what the ME stuff is. From her site: "So now, I've introduced a clear crisp starch with a lovely scent that makes ironing more enjoyable."

That statement kind of in the middle of the spiel about it being a starch alternative.

Sounds like it IS starch. I don't know. I just wonder what it is. I keep hearing how much folks like using it but just what is the ME stuff? You any ideas on that Pati? I just happened to trip over the starch recipe and thought that was interesting. Taria

Pati, in Phx

I'm not sure what is in the Best Press. But it says to not ingest it and keep it away from babies. It doesn't flake at all... and I have tried to get it to. It seems to be more like a sizing product, in a non-aerosol spray, than a starch.Yet I think it may be a bit stiffer than sizing. We have been using Best Press as second drawing prizes for the Block of the Month at one of my groups. Everyone loves it. I got a spray bottle of it that way, and bought a gallon for refilling. I don't use it often, but have some stuff coming up with lots of bias edges that I plan to use it with. As for calling it a starch in the midst of a spiel that could just be because "starch alternative" takes longer to say.

Pati, > I'm confused about just what the ME stuff is. =A0From her site:

Please. You are confusing me. Polly

I've used two bottles of the Mary Ellen's. I really like it too. Hancock's chain has had them on sale at times, so I've purchased my spray bottles then. I'd rather buy it by the refill quantities though. KJ

I suspect the other stuff uses CMC or methylcellulose, or another "fabric sizing". I'd leave the essential oils out of it, myself... especially when hot and volatilized, some can be toxic or sensitizers.

Gosh Kay, That is kind of scary. I probably just need to continue not using starch. I really have done ok without it now that I think about it. Thanks for the info. Taria

The starch is fine, sizing is fine... it's the essential oils that are in that recipe that worry me. Ditto in the commercial stuff. The only purpose for them in starch or sizing is "smell good".

Kay

I got a quick response from the ME folks.

It does not have any corn or potato and will collect NO BUGS

I actually was more concerned about FEEDING bugs than collecting them but they responded. So now I guess we wonder what kind of no-bug collecting starch does it have? They don't claim it has NO starch.

Taria, enjoying a new iron with clear water in spray bottle.

I agree. I do love Mary Ellen's, but it comes in, what, five or six different scents? That's not really necessary, IMO; as long as it smells good, (or doesn't smell bad)...that's ok with me. The laundry aisle is getting ridiculous. Your clothes can smell like anything under the sun (and the sun too, they claim; how do they know what THAT smells like?)...I've dropped fabric softener altogether except for just a few things. Vinegar works fine and the smell dissipates anyway. I read somewhere that too much fabric softener collects on white clothing, and helps them lose that crisp, really white color.

Sherry

You are so right Sherry. I stopped using softener liquid and/or sheets about a year ago, do use vinegar. My towels now actually dry my body, soak up water, etc. My clothes smell fine, no residue in them or the dryer.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Hanging in the kitchen are the micro fiber towels like I got in WalMart's car dept. They are colorful and that is why I wanted them. Don't think I would like to have them in the bathroom to dry with after a shower. Barbara

Preach on sisters!

I detest softeners. Mostly because they inhibit the absorbency of the various fabrics. Maybe if I wore nylon or polyester more I would appreciate fabric softeners more, or at least not notice that they coat fabrics so that they don't absorb as well.

I do sometimes fling some Milsoft in to the final rinse after dying a fabric that goes kind of stiff after the process. However that is a specialty product used for a particular purpose.

Is it just my imagination or do cottons feel rather greasy after they have been dried in a dryer with those softener sheets? More so by a large degree than they do after using liquid softener in the washer.

NightMist

The micro fiber towels are just right for polishing a stove top. I'm quite mad about my new stove and enjoy keeping it pretty as new. Probably that's because the houses we bought in the past came with stovetops that had been abused or ignored. This one is mine, mine, all mine. Polly

Those microfiber towels are great for dusting without using any polish or 'stuff'- great for computer monitors, too. Also, they will get the bugs off your vehicle's grill with very little effort. Just don't use any softener on them after washing.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.