How to Remove Wrinkles from Clothes Without an Iron

Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan

Having wrinkles in your clothes can distract other people from appreciating how awesome your outfit looks. Even if you don't have an iron, you can easily take wrinkles out of your clothes so you can show off your style!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Alternative Means to Remove Wrinkles

1
Put the clothing in a clothes dryer with an ice cube. Tumble drying clothing is a great way to remove wrinkles.
Put the setting on medium, and dry the clothing for about 15 minutes.
- Hang the clothes up right after removing them from the dryer so that wrinkles don't come back. Or wear them right away. If you leave the clothes in the dryer for a long time after the cycle ends or toss them into a clothes basket, the wrinkles will probably return.
- Put a couple ice cubes into the dryer or mist the clothing with water before drying them. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}The ice cubes will melt, and turn into steam, which will help remove the wrinkles from the clothing. Or you could put a damp sock into the dryer with the wrinkled clothing. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Try putting the wrinkled clothing in the shower. Many people have found this method will remove wrinkles fast. Start the shower, and put the water on hot. Close your bathroom door so the steam can't get out.

Shower Steaming Quick Tips
Hanging your clothes: Make sure your shower rod is clean so it won't leave any marks on the clothing. Then, hang the clothes on the rod itself or on a hanger you put on the rod.
Seal the room: Seal the bathroom (the smaller the better) for air leaks -- shut windows, block the space under the door.
Close but still dry: Get the clothes as close to the heat and water as you can without getting them wet. Direct the shower head away from the clothing to divert the stream. It's not good enough to just hang the clothes in the bathroom a distance from the shower head — get them as close as you can!
Give it time: It takes about 15 minutes of steam to get rid of wrinkles. To save water, consider taking a shower while you do this.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Buy or make a wrinkle-removing spray. You can find common wrinkle-removing sprays at the grocery store.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.} The clothing needs to be damp for the spray to work, but it will remove wrinkles. You can also make homemade sprays.

Using Wrinkle Releaser
Making your own: Mix 1 c (240 mL) of water and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fabric softener in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle thoroughly, and test it on a small piece of the fabric to make sure that it won't discolor or stain it. If it looks fine, generously spray the garment while gently pulling it taut to remove the wrinkles. Spray the clothing until it's damp, but not so much that it is soaked in the mixture.^{[5]
X
Research source}
Let it dry: After spraying your clothing, hang it out until it's completely dry. Hang whites outside in the sun to make them brighter, but don't hang colored clothes in the sun. This can bleach them.
Use it in a pinch: When you're on-the-go and ironing isn't possible, keep a small spray bottle of this in your desk at work or in the car.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Makeshift Irons

1
Try using the bottom of a heated pot as the iron. Take a pot the size that you would boil noodles in. Boil water in it. Then, dump the water out. Use the bottom of the pot as an iron.
- The downside of this approach is that you have to be careful not to burn yourself, as well as the clothing. And the heat will be inconsistent because the pot could cool fast and is a circular shape.
- Still, it's better than wearing a wrinkled shirt, and this method should help you remove at least some wrinkles.
2
Use a flat iron as an iron. Usually, flat irons are used for curling your hair. However, you could also use the device to iron at least a small section of clothing. A flat iron works really well for reaching areas that are very hard to iron, such as a shirt collar.
- It's also useful that the iron clamps down on the clothing, meaning it will apply more direct heat than another method, such as a blow dryer.
- Make sure that you clean the iron first. If you leave hair products on it, like hairspray, they could mar your clothes. Be aware that the products could transfer from your hair onto the iron with each use.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- You could burn your shirt if you press the flat iron onto the clothing for too long, so be careful. You should not use a curling iron with a round barrel for this.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Something Different Against Wrinkles

1
Use a blow dryer.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.} In order for a blow dryer to work, you need to dampen the clothing first. Don't douse it. Just make it a little wet, perhaps with a spray bottle. Then,
turn the dryer on the lowest setting.
A plastic focusing tip really helps.
- Hold the dryer about two inches away from the clothing so you don't make it too hot. You don't want to burn the clothing or otherwise damage it.
- You could also hang the wrinkled clothing first, and then direct the blow dryer's heat on it, again standing one or two inches away.
- If the wrinkles are still visible, try to place your garment under your mattress overnight. This may work well with t-shirts, shorts, pants, and sweatshirts.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ayad Mirjan
  Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
  Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.}
2
Roll or flatten the clothes. Maybe you're in a situation where you don't have any way to apply heat or steam to your clothes. You're in luck. You could try rolling or flattening it.

How to Roll or Flatten Clothes
These methods will take a little longer than usual, but with some smoothing from your hands through the towel, your clothes should be relatively wrinkle free.
Rolling clothes: Take the wrinkled clothing and roll it up very tightly. Make it look like a burrito. Then, place it under a mattress or something else heavy for about an hour. When you remove the clothing and unroll it, there should be fewer wrinkles.
Flattening the clothing: Place the wrinkled clothing on a flat surface. Dampen a towel (or a paper towel if you don't have a bath towel). Put the towel on top of the clothing (where the wrinkled area is). Press down. Then let it dry. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
3
Use a tea kettle. Steam removes wrinkles, so you could boil water in a tea kettle. You want to
hold the clothing about 12 inches away from the tea kettle's steaming spout,
though, or you could damage the clothing.
- One benefit of this approach is you can drink a cup of tea afterwards! This approach works well for small problem areas on the clothing.
- If you have a larger wrinkled garment, it's best to use the steam from a hot shower instead.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I remove wrinkles from my clothes while I am at work or school?

Community Answer

You can lightly spray water on the clothes and dry them under the hand drier in the bathroom.
Question

How can I remove wrinkles from a skirt that is made to be wrinkled, but has wrinkles from being folded in shipping?

Community Answer

You can use a steamer. It won't remove the purposeful creases, but it will take away the folding wrinkles.
Question

How do I remove wrinkles from a garment that has been dyed?

Community Answer

An ice cube or steam should still work. Be sure not to get the clothing wet. If you are really worried it'll run, take a roller from the kitchen and tightly roll the shirt against it. Let sit for about five minutes and then flatten out the clothing.