How to Iron Clothes Without an Iron
Written by
- Redaction Team
- Professional Career, Professional Development
Tired of the thought that cloth has to be ironed, or don’t have the time to do the ironing yourself?
Maybe you’re traveling, or your iron broke down just when you had an important meeting to attend.
In these cases, you may feel at a loss when you see the wrinkles looking back at you.
Fear not, as there are many ways to iron clothes without an iron! In this article, we will explore different techniques and DIY hacks to remove wrinkles from your clothes.
Can You Really Iron Clothes Without an Iron?
At first, it might sound counterintuitive that one can iron clothes without an iron, but there are many alternative ways to de-wrinkle garments, which can be especially useful for maintaining the appearance of uniforms for hospitals, where a crisp, professional look is essential.
Different methods may apply depending on the type of clothing, the fabric, and the extent of the wrinkle.
The following paragraphs will present alternative ways to iron your clothes without using an iron, along with their benefits and limitations.
Why might you need to iron without an iron?
There are many situations where you may need to iron clothes without an iron.
For example, you could be staying in a hotel or a friend’s place while traveling, and there is no iron available.
Or, you may be in a hurry, and don’t have the time to pull out the ironing board.
Whatever the reason, knowing ways to get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron can be a valuable skill.
What are the benefits of ironing without an iron?
One of the biggest benefits of ironing clothes without an iron is it can save time.
If you’re in a hurry, it may take just a few minutes to remove the wrinkles from a piece of clothing using an alternative method.
Additionally, some methods may be gentler on the fabric compared to using a regular iron. For instance, using steam or a spray bottle can help avoid damaging delicate fabrics such as silk.
What are the limitations of ironing without an iron?
While there are many benefits to ironing clothes without an iron, there are also some limitations.
For example, some methods may not work as well as others, depending on the type of fabric or garment.
Additionally, some methods may require more prep work or may not be feasible in certain situations.
For instance, using a hair straightener may work for small areas, but it may be impossible to use for larger pieces of clothing like a shirt or a pair of pants.
Alternative Ways to Iron Clothes
Using a Clothes Dryer
Using the clothes dryer is one of the easiest ways to remove wrinkles from your clothes.
Simply toss the wrinkled garment into the dryer, along with a couple of ice cubes, for about 10-15 minutes on low heat.
The ice cubes will create steam, and the hot air will help smooth out the wrinkles.
This method works best for cotton and other sturdy fabrics. Be careful not to over-dry the clothes, as it can cause new wrinkles to form.
Using a Flat Iron or Hair Straightener
While they were not designed for ironing clothes, flat irons or hair straighteners can be a quick fix for small areas of clothing, such as collars, cuffs, and hems.
Be sure to adjust the temperature to the lowest setting and test first on an inconspicuous area of the garment to avoid damaging the fabric.
This method is ideal for synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon.
Using a Hair Dryer
Using a hairdryer can also help remove wrinkles from clothes.
Dampen the wrinkled area, hold the hair dryer about 2-3 inches away, and direct the hot air over the fabric while pulling it taut.
This method works best on lightweight fabrics, such as silk or chiffon.
Be careful not to burn the fabric and avoid direct contact between the hairdryer and the fabric.
Putting the wrinkled clothes below the mattress
To try to get rid of wrinkles, the clothing must be in an area that adds pressure to the clothing to reduce them.
If you are on your way, or don’t have a dryer, you can attempt to put your clothes in between the mattress and the box spring.
Ironing Without an Iron: DIY Hacks
Using Steam
Steam can help release wrinkles by relaxing the fibers of the fabric.
You can use a traditional steam iron or a handheld steamer.
If you don’t have a steam function on your iron, you can still create steam by holding the iron a few inches above the garment and pressing the steam button.
Be careful not to let the iron touch the fabric.
For a handheld steamer, fill it with water, plug it in, and wait for the steam to build up. Then, wave it over the wrinkled areas, pulling the fabric taut as you go.
Additionally, you can take your clothes in the bathroom when you take a shower, and let the steam of the hot water steams the clothes, so that you can after try to remove the wrinkles with the hand.
Using Dampness
Dampening the fabric with water can also help get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron.
Spritz the wrinkled area with a spray bottle filled with water until it’s slightly damp. Then, use your hands to pull and smooth the fabric taut.
Once you’ve smoothed out the wrinkles, hang or lay the garment to dry naturally.
Using a Steamer Pot
Another option is to use a bottom-of-the-pot steamer.
Boil water in a pot, turn the heat off, and then hold the wrinkled area over the steam for several seconds, pulling the fabric taut as you go.
This method works best on sturdy fabrics like denim or cotton, and for small areas like collars and cuffs. Be careful not to burn yourself on the hot steam or drop the garment in the boiling water.
Quick Fixes for Removing Wrinkles
Using Ice Cubes
If you’re in a rush and need a quick fix to remove wrinkles, you can try using ice cubes. Rub a couple of ice cubes over the wrinkled area until it’s slightly damp.
Then, pull the fabric taut and leave it to dry. The ice cubes will melt, and the water will help smooth out the wrinkles. This method works best on thin and lightweight fabrics.
Using a Spray Bottle
Another quick way to remove wrinkles is to use a spray bottle.
Fill it with water and spritz the wrinkled area until it’s slightly damp.
Then, use your hands or a clothes brush to smooth the fabric taut. Leave the garment to dry.
Hacks for Ironing Specific Garments and Problem Areas
Ironing a Shirt Collar Without an Iron
If you need to iron a shirt collar but don’t have access to an iron, here’s a tip.
Dampen the collar with water and then lay it flat on a smooth surface.
Use your fingers to smooth it out or use a credit card to press out any creases.
Then, blow dry the shirt collar on the hot air setting using a hair dryer.
Once it’s dry, most of the wrinkles should be gone.
Ironing Clothes in the Shower
A quick way to iron clothes without an iron is to hang them in the bathroom while you’re taking a shower.
The steam from the hot water will help release the wrinkles in the fabric.
How to Release Wrinkles on the Bottom of a Skirt
If you’re struggling to remove wrinkles from the bottom of a skirt, try using a mattress.
Lay the mattress flat, and place the skirt on top of it with the wrinkled area facing up.
Smooth out the fabric and leave it for a few hours.
The weight of the mattress will help release the wrinkles.
Overall, whether it’s through alternative ironing methods or DIY hacks, there are many ways to remove wrinkles from your clothes without an iron.
With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can de-wrinkle your clothes and have them looking smooth and fresh.
More about professional Career
