Reena’s Tip of the Week:

There’s nothing like a perfect crease for that polished, professional look so here are two old-time recipes using cornstarch and water. You can store this in a spray bottle or dip your fabrics into the solution:

Recipe 1: Combine 1 heaping tablespoon of cornstarch to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Pour into a sealable container or a spray bottle.

Recipe 2: Heat 1 litre of water. Separately stir 2 tablespoon of corn flour and mix in a half cup of cold water. When the water is lukewarm, add the cornstarch mixture to the hot water, stirring continuously. When you add the mixture, the initial colour is white. Keep stirring until it boils and becomes transparent. This indicates that the mild starch is cooked (for stronger starch, increase the quantity of corn flour). This will take about 10-15 minutes to cool down and remember to cover the solution with a lid while cooling otherwise a thin film is formed at the top, which is a waste. Once cold, use it to shirts, pants, linens etc.

Bonus Tip: If you really want a sharp pant crease that will last through the week, this method will help: Lay fishing line into the crease from the inside of the garment and use an iron to melt it into place. Be sure that the crease is straight before heating the fishing line. This tip comes from a Private in the United Stated Army.

All solutions are to be used at the risk of the user.

Reena Nerbas is the author of the two National Best Sellers, “Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions & Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets,” available in stores across Canada. Reena is a columnist and Home Economist in a lab coat (and she’s not afraid to use it). She can be heard on CBC radio programs across Canada.

To learn more about Reena, click here.