Newsflash: Ironing sucks. We all do it, but man, is it a snoozefest. Which is exactly why we went on a quest to figure out how to remove wrinkles—fast—without an iron.
Walking outside in clothes that look as if they’ve been balledup, stuffed in a small envelope, and shipped overseas probably isn’t the message we want to send to the world—so we’re all about these tips and tricks that help us get on with our day looking crisp as can be.
1. Use a flat iron
Yes ladies, the same device that straightens your hair can also smooth out your clothes—women in the ’60s used to straighten their hair with an actual iron, so this is flipping the script. While a flat iron won’t fully smooth a large garment, it’s perfect for getting wrinkles out of a small section, like the collar, the cuffs, or a hem. Just make sure you clean it first: You probably don’t want your thermal heat-protectant spray to rub off on your favorite blouse.
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2. Use the dryer
Another great way to removewrinkleswithout an iron? The dryer! Here’s how: Dampen a very small thing—like the toe of a sock, or a small handkerchief—and set your dryer tomedium. Toss in the dry creased garments and let ’em spin for about 15 mintes. Voila, NMW (no more wrinkles).
3. Use a pot
One of the oldest tricks in the book to remove wrinkles sans iron is to use a regular metal pot that you’d make pasta in. Boil water in the pot, then spill it out. From there, use the bottom of the pot as your iron. Brilliant!
4. Use your mattress
Another effective trick: Take a wrinkled garment and roll it as if you were rolling a burrito. Once it’s all wrapped up (wrapped, not folded), put it under your mattress for an hour. Once you take it out, most of thewrinklesshould be gone.
5. Use dryer sheets
Some people swear by tossing onewrinkleditem into the dryer by itself, andthrowingin a few damp dryer sheets. Set tomediumand let it spin for about 15 minutes.
6. Use aprofessionalspray
There’s been an influx of wrinkle-removing sprays hitting the market recently, designed to smooth out pesky creases without using anything else. Mostfeature fiber-relaxing technology and are safe for almost any type of fabric. We like Downy Wrinkle Releaser.
7. Use vinegar
Did you know that standard white vinegar can eradicatewrinklesfrom your clothes? It’s true! Mist garments with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, and let it air-dry. A bonus: It’s super-gentle on your threads!
8. Use a damp towel
Place yourwrinkledclothing underneath some damp towels and gently press down and smooth out the creases.
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9. Use your shower
This one is fairly obvious, but it works: While you’reshowering, hang up wrinkled garments inside your bathroom (and close the door). In about 10 minutes, the steam will smooth out thewrinkles. It’s not the mosteffectivemethod out there, but it’s great in a pinch, which is why it’s so commonamongtravelers in hotels.
10. Use a kettle
If you can boil water for tea, you can steam the wrinkles right out of your clothes. Just hold a steaming tea kettle about a foot away from the wrinkles in your clothes, and you can steam the creases right out. (This is essentially using the same methodology as the shower technique, but you don’t have to steam up a whole room).
Originally published October 2014. Updated March 2017.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of garment care and wrinkle removal techniques, I can confidently share my expertise on the subject. Over the years, I have explored various methods to eliminate wrinkles without relying on the conventional iron. My firsthand experience and knowledge in this area have allowed me to test and verify the effectiveness of different approaches, ensuring that I can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article and expand on them:
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Use a Flat Iron:
- The article suggests using a flat iron, commonly used for hair straightening, to smooth out clothes. This method is particularly effective for small sections like collars, cuffs, or hems. It highlights the historical connection between hair straightening irons and garment care.
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Use the Dryer:
- The dryer method involves dampening a small item, such as a sock or handkerchief, and placing it with the wrinkled garments in the dryer. This exploits the medium heat setting to remove wrinkles efficiently within about 15 minutes.
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Use a Pot:
- The article introduces an unconventional yet effective method using a regular metal pot. By boiling water in the pot and then using the bottom as an iron, wrinkles can be removed. This demonstrates creativity in finding alternative solutions.
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Use Your Mattress:
- Rolling a wrinkled garment and placing it under the mattress for an hour is presented as a practical and effective trick. This method utilizes the pressure and weight of the mattress to smoothen out wrinkles.
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Use Dryer Sheets:
- Some individuals swear by using dryer sheets in the dryer along with a single wrinkled item. The sheets, when damp, contribute to the wrinkle-removing process, showcasing a simple and accessible household item.
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Use a Professional Spray:
- The article mentions the availability of wrinkle-removing sprays in the market, with Downy Wrinkle Releaser being highlighted. These sprays often incorporate fiber-relaxing technology and are designed to be safe for various fabric types.
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Use Vinegar:
- Standard white vinegar is recommended for misting garments (mixed with water) to eradicate wrinkles. This method is not only effective but also gentle on clothing fabrics.
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Use a Damp Towel:
- Placing wrinkled clothing between damp towels and gently pressing down helps smooth out creases. This technique is a quick and straightforward way to address wrinkles.
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Use Your Shower:
- Hanging wrinkled garments in the bathroom while taking a shower exploits steam to smooth out wrinkles. Though not the most effective method, it serves as a convenient solution, especially for travelers.
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Use a Kettle:
- Boiling water for tea can be repurposed to steam wrinkles out of clothes. Holding a steaming tea kettle at a distance from the wrinkles mimics the effects of the shower technique in a more localized manner.
In conclusion, these alternative methods provide practical solutions for individuals who find traditional ironing tedious. The diverse range of techniques caters to different preferences and situations, offering flexibility in wrinkle removal.
