How to Get Wrinkles Out Without an Iron

Ironing your clothing is an easy way to remove wrinkles, but using the handy tool isn't always an option. Thankfully, you can use some tried-and-tested hacks to get rid of wrinkles without an iron. Whether you're traveling without access to an iron, or working with fabric that cannot be ironed, these tips can help.

When ironing isn't an option, consider turning to other heat sources—including a steamer, hair dryer, or the dryer. You can also hang clothes in a steamy bathroom or reach for a wrinkle-release spray. We're sharing these tips along with preventative measures to keep your clothes from wrinkling in the first place. Here's how to get wrinkles out without an iron.

1. Use a Steamer

Clothes steamers are a great alternative to irons. They can be less effective on heavy large items, but they work well for creating crease-free clothes. Plus, you don’t need to lug around an ironing board, and steamers are less likely to damage clothes or burn fingers.

2. Use a Hair Dryer

When you're traveling, if the hotel has a hair dryer but not an iron, you might still be able to remove the rumples from your favorite evening wear. 

Hang up the garment and mist it with water so it is slightly damp. (You can also hang it in the steamy bathroom for a bit if you don't have a way to mist it.) Direct the hair dryer's heat to the creases while smoothing them out with your hand. If the hair dryer has one, use the concentrator nozzle to direct the hot air flow better. Keep the hair dryer at least a couple of inches away from the fabric so it doesn’t become a fire hazard. 

3. Throw Your Threads in the Dryer

If you have a clothes dryer, the simplest and most effective solution is to pop your puckered pants on a low to medium heat spin cycle for up to 15 minutes. Misting the clothes first with a fine spray of water or adding a small, damp towel or a few ice cubes to the dryer helps create a smoothing steam effect. Some modern driers even have a steam setting.

You’re aiming to dampen the clothes before the cycle, not soak them. You should always check the garment is drier-friendly—a shrunken outfit is worse than a creased one. This hack won’t work for all fabrics, but it does the trick with most cotton or cotton blends. And don’t forget to lift the item out as soon as the cycle finishes—otherwise, new creases will appear.

4. Hang Next to a Steamy Shower

Using a steamy shower might not be the most environmentally-friendly way to remove wrinkles without an iron, but it can do the trick. For best effect, the garment needs to be hanging close to the shower, the room needs to get really hot and steamy, and you might need to run the water for up to 20 minutes. (Try to time using this method with your usual morning shower to minimize wasting water.)

Watch out for water or soapy splash marks on the fabrics, and ensure all doors and windows are closed to create that steam room-like environment. And don’t forget to air the room well after the steaming session to prevent mold and mildew buildup.

The steam from a kettle can do a similar job, although it’s really only suitable for removing small creases rather than smoothing out a large garment.

5. Use a Hot Pot

Get creative by using a metal pan as a makeshift iron. It might not press out the puckers quite as well, but it’s worth a whirl when you're in a pinch. Follow the steps below for safe success:

1. Pick a thick metal pan with a spotlessly clean base.
2. Heat some water in the pan. 
3. Tip the water out once it reaches a boil.
4. Place a towel down on a flat, hard surface.
5. As soon as you tip the water out, use the pot base to press your garment on top of the towel.

The pan base cools quickly, so jump to action while being careful not to burn yourself (wearing oven mitts can help). Avoid pressing delicate fabrics or garments with plastic or vinyl, which the heat can warp. Don't use this method on fabrics that cannot be ironed.

6. Press with a Hair Straightener

Your hair straightener can actually double as a clothes press! Using a flat iron is too time consuming for removing wrinkles from a big pile of clothes, but it’s a handy solution for small items, collars or sleeves.

Clean off any stuck-on hair products from the straightener first and gently run the flat iron down the clothes. Don’t let it linger too long as you risk burning the fabric, and use a low setting with caution on delicate items. Again, this should not be used on items that instruct you not to iron them.

7. Buy a Wrinkle-Remover Spray

Buy a wrinkle releaser spray for a convenient quick fix. It’s ideal to pop in luggage if you are heading off on a trip, and can be used quickly when you're running out the door in the morning. These fabric-softening products are surprisingly effective and often freshen up stale clothes lying in your suitcase with their pleasant fragrance.

Simply spray on the creases, tug and smooth by hand, and then hang the garment up or give it a few shakes to release the wrinkles. Always test the spray on an out-of-sight patch of fabric first, especially those prone to water spotting, like rayon or silk.

8. Make Your Own Wrinkle Remover

Try mixing up a DIY wrinkle-released solution in a pinch. Blend one or two cups of distilled or boiled water with one teaspoon of liquid fabric softener or hair conditioner. Adding a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol is handy as it helps the solution evaporate from the fabric surface more effectively.

Shake the solution well, test it on an inconspicuous fabric spot, and gently mist the garment with a spray bottle. Alternatively, try mixing one part distilled white vinegar and three parts water. However, it can leave a slightly sour odor on your clothing.

Prevent Wrinkles So Ironing Isn’t a Necessity

Minimizing wrinkles on your clothes in the first place saves you from panicking if your iron isn’t working or you don’t want to take one on your travels. Some tips to keep your clothes rumple-free include:

• Remove clothes from a hot dryer and hang them up immediately. 
• Roll or fold clothes carefully in drawers and suitcases.
• Lay clothes inside a sheet of tissue paper.
• Use the right type and amount of detergent and softener for the fabric material.
• Select a gentle wash cycle.
• Don’t overload your washing machine.
• Clean your dryer and keep it lint-free.