How to Starch Jeans Perfectly at Home 2023

Published by Hala Zaqqout on March 10, 2022 | Last updated on May 13, 2023

It’s the night before a big event, and you’re going through your closet looking for the perfect outfit when you realize you don’t have any starched jeans.

How many times has something like this happened to you before? You’re not alone if you’ve ever been puzzled with the question “how to starch jeans?”.

We’ve also covered similar step-by-step guides like “how to get coconut oil out of clothes?”, “How to get hair dye out of clothes?”, and “how to get sweat stains out of clothes?”. Make sure to check them out.

If you are in this too, learning how to starch pants is important. Of course, you could always send it to a professional laundry service, but doing it yourself will save you money. However, it is not too late! You might think it’s difficult, but believe us, it’s not. And we will easily prove this to you.

For that, Cleaners Advisor has made an effort to answer your question “how to starch jeans?!, and provide you with a detailed guide to help you. In this article, we’ll walk you through the methods you can apply to starch jeans. But you’ll know first why people need to starch their jeans.  

The procedures are simple overall, but we will go through all the important details so you can get the best results. The four different methods mentioned below will help you get starched jeans perfectly at home and cope with the situation in the best way possible.


If you’re not a cowboy or a cowgirl, you’ve probably never wondered why starched jeans are so popular. However, treating your denim with starch has several benefits:

  • Starched jeans are much stiffer than unstarched jeans, which gives them a better look.
  • Starched jeans are far less prone to wrinkling.
  • If you wear creased jeans, starch can help them last longer and stay sharper.
  • Starch gives your jeans a dirt-resistance superpower.

Regarding the last point, it is true. Cowboys and cowgirls appreciate having their jeans starched for a reason. When your denim is heavily starched, even if you slide through the mud and let it dry, you can easily remove it by rubbing your jeans!

When the starch penetrates the fiber, it forms a protective seal, making it more difficult to set a blot on your jeans.


How to Starch Jeans at Home?

If you want to know how to starch jeans perfectly at home like the cleaners, follow one of the methods mentioned below:

1. Cornstarch

Cornstarch mixed with water
Courtesy of “en.wikipedia.org”

Instead of purchasing a store-bought liquid starch spray, cornstarch is a simple and inexpensive way to starch jeans. For a creased look, make a liquid starch to spray on jeans before ironing.

In this method, you do not use starch in the washer to soften the fabric. You wash your jeans as usual and then begin the starching process. Follow these steps below to starch pants perfectly:

a. Transfer Starch into a Spray Bottle

Although spray starch is widely available, most brands are of low quality. As a result, there is a good chance that it will ruin your jeans. Finally, you may come to regret your decision to starch in the first place.

b. Spray Your Jeans

Spray the starch onto a clean pair of jeans (wet or dry). The way you spray it should be determined by the results you want to achieve. If you want to stiffen it up a little, lightly spray it. However, if the goal is to stiffen it to the point where it can stand on its own, use the spray product generously.

c. Hang to Dry

Hang your pants to dry completely on the clothesline. Of course, there are those who prefer to iron them immediately after spraying. Unfortunately, this causes problems such as staining and iron scorching. It also doesn’t yield the best results.

d. Folding and Ironing

Fold the jeans so that the middle seams are aligned. Start ironing them flat on an ironing board. Higher heat settings are available with a steam iron. It will allow you to achieve sharp creases and flawless perfection on the rest of the jeans.

e. Retouch

Spray along the lines once more, then place the pair on a flat surface to dry. However, if you are satisfied with the results from step 4, you can skip this step.

2. Ironing

Smart Ironing Technique for Mens Jeans 1170x610 1
Courtesy of “elementjeans.com”

Another method for starching jeans is to use an ironing board and iron, as well as a liquid starch spray. After you’ve finished ironing your jeans, you can either wear them right away or store them in your closet or drawer.

This method entails soaking your jeans in a solution of water and starch. Overall, it is less effective than the first method because water dilutes starch. Follow these steps below to get starched jeans:

a. Wash Your Jeans

Begin by putting your jeans in the washer and selecting the appropriate setting. However, instead of a fabric softener, add starch to the rinse cycle. Follow the instructions on the container of your brand’s product to determine how much product you need to use.

b. Spray the Jeans

More starch should be applied to the jeans before hanging them to dry. If you do not intend to achieve heavy starching, skip this step.

c. Hang to Dry

Allow your jeans to dry by hanging them on a clothesline.

d. Iron

Align the middle seams of your jeans and iron them flat on a board. To get the best results, iron slowly.

e. Preserve Well for Maintenance

Hang the jeans on a hanger to keep them in good condition or wear them right away.

Check out this video below to show you how to starch jeans using this method.

3. Washing Machine

image 1
Courtesy of “marthastewart.com”

The regular wash cycle in the washing machine is one method for starching jeans. If you have several pairs of jeans to starch, washing and starching them at the same time can be a simple and convenient option.

However, the liquid starch can only be added after the initial washing and during the final rinse cycle of washing. Here’s how to do so:

a. Turn your jeans inside out and wash them on a cool-warm water cycle in the washing machine. Fill the fabric softener dispenser with your preferred laundry detergent first, followed by your liquid starch. Check the packet of your liquid starch for the proper amount.

Most liquid starch brands will provide additional instructions for the amounts required for light, medium, or heavy starch. If you’re using powder starch, mix it into the water before pouring it into the fabric softener dispenser.

b. When the wash cycle is completed, you can either hang or flat dry your jeans. Drying jeans with any stretch or elastane fibers flat is recommended to keep them from stretching during the drying process.

c. Place your dry jeans on a flat surface, such as an ironing board, or on the floor or table over a towel. Dampen the inside of your jeans from side to side, starting at the waist and ending at the hem, according to the directions on your spray starch.

Turn them inside out again and repeat the process for more starching.

d. You can now press your jeans with your iron on a medium setting, and they’re ready to wear!

4. Soaking

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Courtesy of “king5.com”

You can use the above home starch recipe for this method, or you can make a larger solution, and here’s how to do so:

a. For dipping, mix ½ a cup cornstarch, 1 cup cold water, and ½ cup boiled water. Before starching, make sure your solution has completely cooled because heat can cause your denim to shrink. Then wash your jeans inside out and completely dry them.

b. When your jeans are dry, place them on an ironing board with a flat surface that has been protected with a towel or sheet. Dip a sponge into your starch solution and use it to evenly apply the starch to your denim.

Make sure that you are only dampening the fabric and not soaking it. Alternatively, you can soak your jeans in the larger cornstarch solution.

Allow no more than a few seconds for any section of the jeans to soak in the solution, and iron them immediately after removing them from the dip.

c. You can start pressing your jeans with your iron on a low to medium setting and with no steam. Begin with the thickest areas of the jeans, such as the waistband, front fly, and pocket areas, before moving on to the leg.

Take your time and be thorough with this step to ensure that the starch is thoroughly absorbed. Your jeans can probably stand up on their own now!


How to Starch Jeans FAQ


To Wrap Up

You now know how to starch jeans to get it like cowboy starched jeans by applying one of the methods the Cleaners Advisor team mentioned. Try it, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy wearing starched clothes like you never did before!

Not only does starching fabric help it retain its shape and look better for longer, but it also helps repel dirt and stains, which is a plus when you’re playing in the dirt all day.

Still have any questions on how to starch jeans? Have more starching-at-home tips? Leave me a comment below.