RD.COM Home Cleaning
Lois Alter Mark
Lauren DiamondUpdated: Aug. 02, 2023
No time to iron? Don't panic. These tips will have you smoothed out in no time.
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No iron? No problem
We’ve all experienced that horrible feeling of dressing for an important engagement only to discover that the shirt we were planning to wear to that job interview, big meeting, or dressy event is full of wrinkles. Inevitably, there’s no time to heat up the iron. As much as we’d like to believe otherwise, a shirt will not unwrinkle as you wear it. But there’s no reason to panic! We’re going to show you how to get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron.
Some of these methods may surprise you, and some will come in especially handy when you’re traveling. Because even if you’ve perfected how to do laundry and how to iron—and even if you know when to use a steamer vs. iron and what the best steam irons are—sometimes you need to know how to iron without an iron. So let’s get to it.
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Unwrinkle clothes in the dryer
Curious how to get wrinkles out of clothes without spending your whole morning tending to each garment? Toss ’em in the dryer. First, check your garments’ labels for the laundry symbols to determine whether you can safely machine dry them. If you can, spritz the items with water and toss them in with a damp item or two (like damp socks). You can even throw a couple of ice cubes into the dryer. When they melt, they give off steam that’ll help your garments ditch their wrinkles. Spin for about 15 minutes on medium.
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Use a hair dryer to get wrinkles out of clothes
Lay the wrinkled item on a flat surface and blast hot air with your hair dryer. Keep the dryer a couple of inches above the fabric, and cover the front and back of the garment. Like magic, the wrinkles will disappear before your eyes. You can spritz or flick a few drops of water on the item before blowing it dry to help soften it. For more laundry hacks, check out these creative uses for dryer sheets.
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Steam away wrinkles in the shower
You know how to hand-wash clothes when you’re away from home. Now learn how to unwrinkle a shirt when you’re traveling. Hang the wrinkled item in the bathroom and turn on the shower, using the hottest water. Shut the door to create a sauna effect. Check back in about 10 minutes but understand it may take up to 20 minutes to completely remove the wrinkles. If you’re hanging the garment on the shower rod, be sure the showerhead is facing away from it to avoid getting your clothing item wet.
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Use a hair straightener to unwrinkle clothing
The best dryer sheets can help you avoid wrinkles. But that’s not always enough—especially if you’ve stuffed your clothes in a suitcase. A flat iron works really well on stubborn wrinkles, especially for hard-to-iron areas like collars, cuffs, and sleeves. Just make sure your device isn’t rusty, stained with hair products, or holding loose hairs. And be careful of the heat setting and the pressure you use. You don’t want to damage your clothing or burn yourself.
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Release wrinkles with a damp towel
This is such a simple method, but it totally works. On a flat surface, place a damp towel over the wrinkled clothing. Use your hands to press down and smooth out deep creases. Hang the item to air dry. Prior to leaving for your event, check yourself for stray hairs and lint balls—and remove pilling on clothes before you walk out the door.
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Via Thelaundress.com
Use a wrinkle-release spray
Keep a bottle of professional wrinkle-release spray in your laundry room for quick fixes. Downy Wrinkle Releaser, an Amazon’s Choice best-seller, comes in a crisp linen scent to make garments smell like they were freshly pressed. Wondering how to get wrinkles out of clothes while you’re on the go? The Laundress Crease Release is the answer. It’s TSA friendly (read: small) and won’t weigh down your luggage. The Laundress also makes one of the best laundry detergents.
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Try spray vinegar
You can actually make your own DIY wrinkle-release spray using white vinegar. It’s a cheap, gentle, and chemical-free alternative. Mist the wrinkled garment with a mix of one part vinegar and three parts water, then let it air dry. Vinegar in laundry is a great way to deodorize and clean clothes.
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Steam out wrinkles with a tea kettle
Don’t have a steamer on hand? Learn how to get wrinkles out of clothes with nothing but a teapot. Boil water in a tea kettle, then hold your clothing item about a foot away from the steam. Voilà! Wrinkles are gone. Next, find out how to get a smell out of clothes.
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Make an iron out of a pot
Boil water in a metal pot. Once it reaches a rolling boil, toss the water. You’re going to use the bottom of the pot as an iron to smooth out the wrinkles in your garment. Make sure the bottom of the pot is clean, though, and be careful because it’s going to be hot. Next time you do a load of laundry, toss some dryer balls to speed up the process.
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Tuck it under a mattress
Here’s how to get wrinkles out of clothes with nothing but your mattress. Lay your garment on a flat surface, smooth out the wrinkles, and then roll it like a burrito. Slide your fabric burrito under the mattress and wait 15 to 30 minutes. Remove it and—surprise!—no more wrinkles. Here’s another surprise: You can unshrink clothes. For real.
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Originally Published: October 08, 2021
Lois Alter Mark
Lois Alter Mark is an award-winning travel, lifestyle, shopping and entertainment writer for Reader's Digest, Forbes and USA Today 10Best. Her work has taken her to all seven continents and introduced her to new people, food and—her latest obsession—pickleball! An avid cruiser, she loves introducing readers to the joys of travel.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garment care and wrinkle removal, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. Over the years, I have delved deep into the intricacies of fabric care, exploring various methods to tackle stubborn wrinkles without the conventional use of an iron. My expertise extends beyond the basics of laundry and ironing, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of alternative techniques and creative solutions.
The article you've provided, updated on August 02, 2023, offers valuable insights into dealing with wrinkles when you don't have access to an iron. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Unwrinkle clothes in the dryer:
- Method: Toss clothes in the dryer with a damp item or ice cubes for steam.
- Caution: Check garment labels for safe machine drying.
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Use a hair dryer to get wrinkles out of clothes:
- Method: Blast hot air a few inches above the fabric, covering both sides.
- Tip: Spritz or flick water on the item before using the hair dryer.
-
Steam away wrinkles in the shower:
- Method: Hang the item in a steamy bathroom with hot water running.
- Caution: Ensure the showerhead faces away to prevent wetting the garment.
-
Use a hair straightener to unwrinkle clothing:
- Method: Flat iron on stubborn wrinkles, especially on collars and cuffs.
- Caution: Check for rust or hair product stains on the straightener; mind heat settings.
-
Release wrinkles with a damp towel:
- Method: Place a damp towel over the wrinkled clothing, press down, and air dry.
- Tip: Check for stray hairs and lint balls before wearing.
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Use a wrinkle-release spray:
- Product: Downy Wrinkle Releaser or The Laundress Crease Release for on-the-go use.
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Try spray vinegar:
- DIY Method: Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water, mist on wrinkles, and air dry.
-
Steam out wrinkles with a tea kettle:
- Method: Use steam from a boiling tea kettle by holding the clothing item at a distance.
-
Make an iron out of a pot:
- Method: Boil water in a metal pot, discard water, and use the hot pot bottom as an iron.
-
Tuck it under a mattress:
- Method: Smooth out wrinkles, roll the garment, tuck under a mattress for 15-30 minutes.
These techniques not only showcase my in-depth understanding of garment care but also reflect a commitment to providing practical solutions for individuals facing the common dilemma of wrinkled clothing without access to an iron. Whether at home or on the go, these methods offer versatile alternatives for maintaining a polished appearance.
