Stiffen up

If a crisp shirt is part of your daily ensemble, you can get the look you want without relying on potentially toxic agents. First, aerosol products like many spray starches can release spray droplets that can be inhaled and get into the bloodstream. Second, although spray starch is mostly cornstarch, some types contain such known toxins as formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol. Today, challenge yourself to use a more natural method of starching clothes crisp: Dissolve 2 TBS cornstarch in 1 cup cold water and add to your laundry during the rinse cycle. Not only will it give your clothes and tablecloths body and crispness, it will allow you to iron clothing with good results when still damp, saving on electricity. And you’ll eliminate the spraying step altogether!