Laundry starch

Laundry starchorclothing starchis a liquid suspension prepared by mi xing a vegetablestarchin water used in thelaunderingof clothes. Inbiochemistry,starch refers to a complex polymer derived from glucose, but in the context of laundry, the term "starch" refers to a suspension of this polymer that is used to stiffen clothing.

Starch was widely used in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries to stiffen the wide collars andruffsof fine linens that surrounded the necks of the well-to-do. During the 19th and early 20th century it was stylish to stiffen the collars and sleeves of men'sshirtsand the ruffles of women'spetticoatsby starching them before the clean clothes wereironed.Starch gave clothing smooth, crisp edges, and had an additional practical purpose: dirt and sweat from a person's neck and wrists would stick to the starch rather than to the fibers of the clothing. The dirt would wash away along with the starch; after laundering, the starch would be reapplied. Starch is available inspray cans,in addition to the usual granules to mix with water. The starch used in laundry is "pregelatinized". Similar products are used inmetal castingand inpharmaceuticals.

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  Rice starch for ironing
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  Gentleman with starched ruff, 1560
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  KingsfordOswegoStarch advertising, 1885
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  Pacific Laundry and Cooking Starch advert, 1904