Learn how to make your own copy cat best press spray starch or homemade spray starch. Recipe and instructions included.
This is the best copy cat recipe ever that you can DIY yourself! As far as for quilters go. I have been using this recipe and my spray for over a year and I love it! It works great.
The recipe make a lot of spray starch. Out of my gallon of distilled water, I got 18 bottles plus there was some left over.
It goes a long way. But if you wanted, you can simply make one bottle at a time. That’s what I do when I’m making it for my own use.
This is a copy cat to Best Press. I love that stuff, but when I am sewing and pressing so much, it’s just not reasonable to use it all the time.
This works just as great and is soooo cheap!
This spray starch keeps your fabric starchy, but not too much that the crease is permanent in your fabric. It’s perfect if you are looking for a nice lite starch feel to your fabric.
Helps hold the quilt blocks straight and in shape.
Spray starch is an essential tool for quilters, helping to achieve crisp, precise seams and enhancing the overall appearance of your quilt blocks.
While commercial spray starch products are readily available, making your own homemade spray starch is a cost-effective and customizable alternative.
Using a simple recipe of vodka and distilled water, you can create an effective spray starch that provides the perfect stiffness and body to your fabrics.
Copy Cat Homemade Spray Starch Materials:
1 bottle of VODKA — can be the cheapest one in the store.
1 gallon of DISTILLED water
1 Spray bottle — I found these cute 5 oz in the beauty department of the dollar store, or on Amazon
-This mix also works in the mister bottle! You can find that style of bottle here.
Essential Oils (optional. mix with the vodka before adding to the water)
If you want you can make a simple spray starch just for yourself as well. No need to use it all at one time. I just keep the extra Vodka and distilled water in the pantry until I need it again. Either way works really well and it keeps as well.
Recipe for DIY Spray Starch:
3 oz. Vodka
24 oz. distilled water
Want an ad-free, printable pdf of this tutorial? Scroll to the bottom for more details!
Home Made Spray Starch Instructions:
1- Pour the 24oz distilled water into a container
2- add the 3 oz Vodka into the container and mix just a little bit
3- Pour into spray bottle using a funnel
4- Use!
I have heard of others adding a few drops of essential oils. I haven’t tried this as I don’t really care if it smells or not. As long as you shake your bottle before spraying you should be fine…there shouldn’t be any oil spots on your fabric.
You don’t need but a few drops too– don’t go crazy!
Benefits of Homemade Spray Starch
- Cost-Effective: Homemade spray starch is significantly cheaper than store-bought versions. Vodka and distilled water are affordable ingredients that go a long way. I’m always looking for ways to save money, and this is a great option.
- Customizable: By adjusting the ratio of vodka to water, you can control the stiffness of your starch solution. For a stiffer finish, use more vodka; for a lighter hold, use more water.
- No Added Chemicals: Commercial spray starch often contains added chemicals and fragrances. With homemade spray starch, you know exactly what’s in your solution, making it a great option for those with sensitivities or allergies. I love this idea the most. Controlling what is in your spray bottle is really quite nice.
I have never had any problems with it. There has been no fading or spotting of fabric. No running of colors. No stinkyness {unless you really don’t like the mile smell of the mix} or stickiness. No flakes or white spots. Nothing.
Using Homemade Spray Starch in Quilting
- Preparation: Before using your homemade spray starch, ensure your fabric is clean and dry. Spray starch works best on natural fibers like cotton, which are commonly used in quilting.
- Application: Lightly mist the fabric with your homemade spray starch. Be sure not to saturate the fabric; a light mist is usually sufficient. Allow the starch to penetrate the fabric for a few seconds.
- Ironing: Use a hot iron to press the fabric. The heat will activate the starch, giving your fabric a crisp finish. Move the iron evenly over the fabric to avoid any scorching or uneven stiffness.
- Reapplication: For additional stiffness, you can reapply the spray starch and press again. Repeat until you achieve the desired level of crispness.
Additional Tips for Using Homemade Spray Starch
- Test First: Always test your homemade spray starch on a small fabric scrap before applying it to your entire project. This ensures you get the desired stiffness without any adverse effects.
- Storage: Store your spray starch in a cool, dark place to maintain its effectiveness. Shake the bottle well before each use to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Alternative Scents: If you prefer a scented spray starch, you can add a few drops of essential oil to your mixture. Lavender, lemon, and peppermint are popular choices that can add a pleasant fragrance to your fabric. I haven’t tried this yet, but I heard it works well.
- Label Your Bottle: Clearly label your spray bottle with the contents and the date it was made. This helps you keep track of its freshness and ensures you don’t accidentally use it for something else. This is a great way to have multiple mixes of strength.
- Use Sparingly: While homemade spray starch is safe to use, applying too much can make your fabric overly stiff and difficult to work with. Start with a light mist and add more as needed. It does wash out! So don’t worry if you are a little heavy handed.
- Versatile Use: Homemade spray starch isn’t just for quilting. It can also be used to stiffen other sewing projects, such as appliqué, garment sewing, and even for craft projects that require a bit of extra structure.
All About Spray Starch
Interested in exploring spray starch? It’s really quite interesting the variety and how to use it. Additional all about Spray Starch info
A Simple Scented Ironing Water Recipe
- Combine 4 to 6 drops of your chosen essential oil with ¼ cup of grain alcohol in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add 16 to 32 ounces of distilled water. More water will dilute the scent.
- Pour the mixture into one or more clean spray bottles.
- Shake each spray bottle for one minute.
- Allow your ironing water to sit, undisturbed at room temperature, over night.
- Spray each garment lightly with ironing water before ironing.
- Shake spray bottle gently before each use.
Get the ad-free PDF
Click the button below and download the Printable Tutorial.
Homemade Spray Starch Video
Have you tried this before?
 |  |
Here are more Ironing and Pressing Resources
- Spray Starch info
- Best Iron for Quilters
- Homemade Spray Starch cheaper than store bought!
- Mini Iron Travel Bag Tutorial just in case you travel with your mini!
- Make your own portable iron station
- Iron or Press? Which one is right for your project?
- More Ironing board stations inspiration
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
Follow me here: Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
This is the BEST spray starch recipe!!!
I will try this today – thanks for this great “recipe” !
Why vodka? How does it improve over just water?
How does this make the fabric stiff since there is no starch? Is it just the vodka but seems so dilute.
Sheila
I’ve been using this same recipe for spray starch for about a year and think it performs great – so much cheaper then Best Press!
The question about where the starch comes from– vodka I believe is potato based and so the starch is from the potatoes!
You can try different amounts of the vodka in your spray. If you want a stronger starch, then add more then the recipe calls for. You can find the combination you like the best and make that! good luck everyone!
Our quilting group makes it and we add liquid starch.
I don’t get how this is any better than plain water. Most vodka is grain based these days. Even if it was potato based, the distilling process removes any starch.
If you will add some fabric softener as well it will be dreamy. Any scent or no scent works perfect. I add about 2 tsp to the size you are making but add more if you like. The more Vodka you add the stiffer the fabric. If you add essential oils put them in the Vodka first then in the water and you won’t have any problems. It’s a chemistry thing.
We add liquid starch to ours.
we call it quilter’s moonshine!
You said you used a gallon of distilled water, but the recipe called for 24oz. Which is correct?
suzy- the gallon is what I bought for the whole project. The 24 oz is what I used to fill the container with. Hope that helps.
Ann Marie- that is too funny! I love that name. 🙂
Just drink the vodka and you won’t care about the wrinkles !!!!LOL
There isn’t any starch in the vodka mix; any starch (whether from grain or potatoes) left in the mash to make the vodka wouldn’t make it over through the distillation process. I suspect that this must work because the vodka slightly dissolves the sizing/starch that is embedded in the fabric already, re-mobilizing it and spreading it around again. Either that or it is dissolving the cotton slightly (doubt it). Rubbing alcohol would likely work just as well.
I’ve never tried the rubbing alcohol route– might have to!
Thanks for this recipe, I will have to try it!
And for all those wondering how this can possibly work since vodka is a distilled product–it is because the yeast doesn’t eat ALL the sugars when it is converting sugar to alcohol. In things like distilled alcohol (eg vodka) there are complex sugars left behind during the distilling process. Plus, the sugars that are converted to alcohol are still chemically structurally similar to sugar, anyway. It’s why vodka still has calories even though it’s distilled.
I bought a pint of potato vodka, and the clerk in the liquor store told me that not all vodka’s are made with potatoes any more. Some people say you don’t need potato vodka…..is this correct?
I will have to check what kind I picked up. Works just fine. Hadn’t heard or paid attention. But it might make a difference….just haven’t tried it.
We use this mixture in theatre performances. It’s especially great for getting costumes through a week of performances until you have a chance to launder them. Takes the smell away.
Debbie- what a great idea. It would help with the stinks! I’m thinking I should try this on the boys clothes as well 😉
I been grain Vodka and Distilled water. 1 oz vodka to one cup distill water. My fabric gets lightly still. If I want it stiffer add more vodka. To me adding liquid starch defeets the purpose. Liquid starch can leave residue when you iron. The Vdlka water base dosen’t I use to buy best press. $12 for spray bottle and $30 Plus for a gallon to refill my spray bottles. Now I make 3 gallons of my own best press to refill my spray bottles for under
$15
Thank you so much for posting this. I’ve just started quilting a year ago and did find that using Best Press helped a lot to keep fabric firm for piecing but I found it to be so spendy!
I plan on going to the liquor store today for vodka. Who would have thought to make this stuff with vodka. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome and happy you found it helpful! It works great!
Hi,
I am new to Best Press. I have signed up for a quilt class and was told to use it prior to cutting my fabric. How is it used? Just lightly spray and air dry or spray all over and press it dry. Need some expert advice. Thank you for the recipe. Will get that made today. Is it ready to use immediately?
Thank you.
Just made and used this. Wow t works like a dream. Thanks fr the tip.
thanks for sharing! I am needing to make some more as well!
Love this stuff! So economical! Easy to make, too.A friend and I made for favors at a quilt club luncheon–put it in dollar store spray bottles, added a label with ing., a faux flower and a little bow. Everone loved them. Some even have asked about refill policy!
Best way to clean…a little vodka to clean with, a little vodka to keep this Momma SANE! Add a couple drops of Whole Foods 465 eucalyptus essential oil (whatever smell helps you press thru) Ironing doesnt seem so horrible anymore!! thanks, it got here in Houston, maybe we can turn clothes ironing into Mojito Mondays!
Chris – If you add fabric softener, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the spray starch effect? starch = stiffness & softener = softness
I have been using this blend for quite some time now. I buy the cheapest vodka I can get my hands on. 3 drops of lavender oil lasts several refills. I add it to the water/vodka mix. I also use a higher ratio of vodka because I like to get a bit of body from it. I love that it doesn’t leave any residue, sheen or oily spots on the fabric. It’s great.
I also use it for my everyday ironing.
Wardrobe people in theatre use this blend for costumes, as it is impossible to launder everything after every performance. It helps remove odours from the fabric, so handy if you have dry clean only clothes. You can give them a refresh between cleans. Just spray and either leave somewhere in the air to freshen, or get the garment steamer out.
Clean your iron regularly with iron cleaner or a vinegar-water solution. Starch tends to build up over time and homemade or not, you definitely don’t want that stuff clogging your iron. Step up your piecing skills and get ready to tackle complex patchwork designs with Norah McMeeking, author of Bella Bella Quilts.
Starch is a carbohydrate. There is 0.000% carbohydrates in vodka. The fermentation process converts starch into sugar into ethanol.
The vodka keeps the homemade starch from going bad and creating bacteria that smells bad. Plain old rubbing alcohol in place of the vodka works just as well and keep the mixture fresh.
Wish I had found this post before I drank my screwdrivers yesterday, back to the liquor store I go…
Thank you for this. I have seen a recipe with flour and water and boiling on the stove but too much work and mess. Love this one!