Getting wrinkles out of your clothes without an iron can be tricky, but did you know that your dryer is one of the quickest tools to help? I've chatted with laundry experts to find the most effective ways to make the most of your dryer to remove wrinkles and creases. Whether you’re short on time or don’t have an iron handy, these tips will leave your clothes smooth and fresh.
While the best dryers have wrinkle-reducing settings like anti-crease or wrinkle release, not all of us have them. Don't worry if yours doesn't, though, because I've got an expert hack to ensure wrinkle-free clothes in no time. This step-by-step guide will help you through it.
How to unwrinkle clothes in your dryer: quick steps
- Sort out your laundry by fabric type
- Shake your clothes out
- Toss 2 - 3 ice cubes in with the laundry
- Set your dryer on the highest heat setting
- Remove clothes immediately
- Hang clothes
How to unwrinkle clothes in your dryer: Step-by-step guide
1. Sort out your laundry by fabric type
Before you begin, sort your clothes by fabric type. Some fabrics, like wool, silk, and delicate synthetics, can be damaged or shrink in the dryer, so they're unsuitable for our hack.
"Cotton, linen, and durable synthetics are usually safe," says laundry expert Matt O'Connor, co-founder and CEO of NoScrubs.io laundry delivery. "Avoid heat for wool, silk, rayon, and anything labelled 'dry clean only'. When in doubt, check the care label."
Sorting your laundry by fabric type and checking labels prevents unnecessary damage and ensures the right clothes go in the dryer for wrinkle removal.
Matt is the co-founder and CEO of NoScrubs.io, a fast and affordable laundry delivery service based in Austin, Texas.
2. Shake your clothes out
Before placing your clothes in the dryer, shake them out quickly. This helps release any initial wrinkles and ensures the fabric is spread out. Shaking out clothes also helps prevent them from clumping together during the drying cycle, which can lead to more wrinkles.
For best results, gently shake each item after sorting by fabric and before putting them in the dryer.
Ken Doty joined The Maids International in July 2013 as Vice President of Business Intelligence and was promoted to Chief Information Officer in February 2020. He is experienced in business intelligence with over 20 years of experience in consulting and information technology. He loves talking shop with other cleaning service professionals, and offering cleaning tips to anyone who asks!
3. Toss 2-3 ice cubes in with the laundry
Place 2 or 3 ice cubes in the dryer along with your clothes. Yep, you heard that right!
"Throwing an ice cube in with your laundry is a great way to generate steam and remove wrinkles," says laundry and cleaning expert Ken Doty. As the ice melts, it creates steam, helping to release stubborn wrinkles."
If you don't have ice cubes to hand, Doty has another easy suggestion: "Adding a damp (not soaking wet) towel to your drying cycle is a good substitute if you haven't got a steam or anti-crease setting on your dryer."
4. Set your dryer to a medium heat setting
The heat setting is important when using your dryer to remove wrinkles. Medium heat is your best option, providing enough warmth to relax wrinkles without damaging the fabrics. According to O'Connor, you should aim for 10-15 minutes on medium heat, as "high heat can set wrinkles or damage delicate fabrics."
A medium heat setting on a dryer is usually between 125°F and 135°F. This temperature is ideal for most everyday fabrics, such as cotton, polyester blends, and some synthetic fabrics, as it provides enough heat to remove creases without causing excessive wear, shrinkage, or damage.
5. Remove clothes immediately
Once the cycle is finished, immediately remove the clothes from the dryer. Leaving them inside, even briefly, can lead to new wrinkles forming as the fabric cools and settles. This is especially true for items made from materials like cotton, which tend to hold onto creases.
5. Hang clothes up straight away
To keep your clothes looking their best after a cycle in the dryer, hang or fold them immediately. This simple step helps prevent any new wrinkles from settling into the fabric. When clothes are left to sit in the dryer, the weight of the fabric can cause creases, especially in materials like cotton and linen, which are prone to wrinkling.
If life gets busy and you can’t grab them immediately, don’t worry! Just run the dryer on a low heat setting for a few more minutes to help loosen any wrinkles that might have popped up while the clothes cooled. This quick burst of heat can make a difference without risking damage to more delicate fabrics.
How to unwrinkle clothes in your dryer: FAQs
I don't have a dryer - what else can I use to remove wrinkles?
When it comes to tackling wrinkles without using a dryer, there are several effective methods you can try. As laundry expert O'Connor suggests, these techniques can help keep your clothes looking smooth and fresh.
- Steamer: A steamer is a fantastic tool for hanging items and delicate fabrics. It provides a steady stream of steam that can relax fibers, effectively removing wrinkles. To get the best results, simply hang your garment and gently run the steamer over the fabric.
- Flat irons/hair straighteners: These tools aren't just for hair; they can also be used for quick touch-ups on collars, cuffs, and pleats. To prevent damage, set yours to low heat and avoid buttons, embroidery, or delicate fabrics.
- Wrinkle-release sprays: These sprays can be a lifesaver, especially while traveling. Lightly mist the wrinkled areas and gently tug the fabric to help smooth out the wrinkles. This method works well for light wrinkles but may not be as effective on heavily creased items.
- A damp cloth and a hair dryer: For a truly DIY approach to stubborn wrinkles, dampen a cloth and lay it flat on the wrinkled area. Then, use a hair dryer on a low setting to blow warm air over the cloth. This method gives you a little localized steam, which is great for specific spots of creasing.
- Hang in your bathroom during a hot shower: This method utilizes steam to work magic. Hang your garment in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam will help release wrinkles, making this an excellent trick for suits or other fabrics that need gentle care.
Do dryer balls help with wrinkles in clothes?
Using dryer balls, whether they're made of wool or clean tennis balls, is an excellent way to enhance your laundry drying process. These balls create space between your clothes as they tumble, improving air circulation within the dryer. This increased airflow allows the hot air to circulate more effectively, reducing drying time and helping to eliminate wrinkles.
Dryer balls can also help to soften fabrics naturally, reduce static, and leave your clothes feeling more comfortable. If you pop a couple of dryer balls (like these wool dryer balls, pack of 6, $19.99 at Amazon) into your dryer, you may even find that you don't need to use as much or any fabric softener, saving you more money in the long run.
Final thoughts
Tackling wrinkles without an iron is possible and can be quite easy with the right approach. Your dryer can be incredibly effective for keeping your clothes looking fresh, especially if it has features like anti-crease or wrinkle-release settings. Even if your dryer lacks these specialized settings, our quick and easy methods, from ice cubes to dryer balls, ensure that you can achieve smooth results in no time.
With just a little care in sorting fabrics, shaking out clothes, and promptly removing items from the dryer, you'll find that keeping your garments looking their best is easier than you think. So try some of our quick and easy methods for a sharp, crease-free appearance without the hassle of ironing.
