Hate Ironing? These Tips Will Help You Avoid It
Do you really hate ironing and want wrinkle-free clothes? Here are some helpful hints to avoid ironing and look well-groomed, all at the same time!
Select a Wash Setting Designed to Prevent Creasing
Some washing machines have a cycle devoted entirely to the prevention of wrinkling. In an LG machine, this happens automatically when you choose the ‘CreaseCare’ setting. When it’s done, the drum continues to spin gently once the cycle is finished.
This prevents the clothes from settling into the fabric and creating creases. You can use this method to avoid ironing.
Add Fabric Softener to the Mix
The fabric softener is a liquid and it’s usually sprayed onto the clothes as they’re being washed. It helps keep your clothes from wrinkling by coating them with a thin layer of water that keeps them from drying out too quickly. The problem is that when you use fabric softeners, you also have to be careful not to overuse them, or else they’ll leave a residue on your clothes.
Hang Clothing Up ASAP
Hanging up clothes is one of those things we do without thinking about it. You just throw everything into the closet and hope for the best. But there are some tricks to making sure your clothes don’t end up wrinkled and creased.
1. Hang up your clothes immediately after washing. Even if they’re still warm, the moisture will help to prevent wrinkles.
2. Use a hanger designed specifically for hanging clothing. They come in different sizes and shapes, but most are made to prevent wrinkles.
3. Use a hanger that fits the item well. A plastic hanger works great for shirts, sweaters and blouses. For pants and shorts, use metal hangers. They’re heavier, but they distribute the weight evenly.
4. If you need to fold your clothes, make sure they are dry before folding them. This will help prevent wrinkles from forming during the process.
5. Make sure you’ve got plenty of room in your closet. If you have a tiny closet, you might be tempted to cram everything in there. This isn’t ideal because it makes folding difficult and it often leads to items being crushed together. Instead, make sure you have enough space to fold each piece properly.
Wash Smaller Loads
We know that doing big loads of laundry is convenient, but it’s not super effective. Doing bigger loads makes us feel like we are accomplishing something, even though we aren’t really getting our clothes clean enough. Laundry machines don’t care what size load you put in them – they just want to wash everything. You can make sure your clothes come out cleaner by washing smaller loads.
The steam and heat in the dryer has more room to flow through your clothes, reducing wrinkling and creasing. This happens because there is less material to move around inside the dryer.
Shake It Out
Shaking clothes in the laundry room is one way to help untangle them and untwine them so they don’t wrinkle in the dryer. A quick spin around the room will loosen clothing that has gotten snagged together.
And if you’re doing laundry during winter months, you might want to add some extra heat to make sure your clothes are warm enough when they come out of the dryer.
Let the Dryer Do the Work
Pop in any creased clothing into your dryer and use the hot setting. This way, your clothes will be wrinkle free and ready to wear even faster.
Don’t Dry Them Completely in the Dryer
If you’re wondering why it seems like your laundry never dries properly, there are some things you might want to try.
First off, don’t put your clothes into the dryer too early. You’ll end up with damp, wrinkled clothes that take forever to dry. And while we know that putting your clothes in cold water will make them shrink faster, it won’t actually do anything about the fact that they’re still wet. If you really want to speed up the process, try hanging your clothes outside. “The sun will dry out your clothes much quicker,” says Dr. Leslie Bonci, M.D., author of “The Beauty Secret.”
While the sun isn’t always practical, you can use a fan or even a hair dryer to quickly dry your clothes. Another option is to try drying your clothes in stages — start with 80 percent of the way full and finish with 90 percent. Then, once your clothes are mostly dry, hang them up to finish drying.
Use a Wrinkle Release Spray
Wrinkles happen. They’re unavoidable. But don’t let them ruin your day. There are ways to fight wrinkles without resorting to harsh chemicals.
One such way is to use a wrinkle release spray. These products are designed to help soften and smooth out wrinkles in fabrics. In fact, some even claim to eliminate them completely.
Choose a spray based on fabric type
If you want to avoid wrinkles while wearing cotton clothing, choose a spray formulated specifically for that fabric. Cotton is notorious for wrinkling easily, so you’ll likely find that most wrinkle releases aren’t effective on cottons. Look for sprays labeled “cotton,” “polyester,” or “acrylic.”
Consider the brand
Some brands offer different formulas depending on what type of fabric you’re trying to treat. For instance, a spray designed for polyester might work better for acrylic.
Test the product
Many wrinkle release sprays come with directions on how to apply them. Follow those instructions carefully and test the product on small areas of fabric first. You don’t want to waste money on something that doesn’t do anything.
Don’t overdo it
While many wrinkle release sprays promise to prevent wrinkles, they won’t necessarily make your clothes look perfect. If you want to see real improvement, limit yourself to applying one application per week.
Keep in mind that some sprays contain alcohol
This isn’t a problem in itself, but if you’re sensitive to alcohol, try looking for a version that contains no alcohol.
Choose a spray that works for you
Different people prefer different types of sprays. Some people love the feel of a spray on their skin, while others hate the feeling. Find a spray that feels good on you and stick with it.
Get a Steam Cupboard
The steam cupboard trend hasn’t quite taken off in Australia, but in countries such as South Korea, they are everywhere. And for good reason. Imagine having a section in our wardrobes that does the ironing – for us.
Samsung’s AirDresser Clothing Cleaning System, for example, features a wrinkle care cycle along with sanitisation, freshening and drying capabilities. It costs $2,999, which means it isn’t super affordable. But if you find you’re spending a fortune at the dry cleaner each month, it might be worth considering.
Additionally, you can also find hand held clothes steamers to remove wrinkles and they are, of course, much more affordable than the Airdresser clothing system. Something to consider!
Blow Dry Your Dress
If you have a dress that needs to be pressed, blow drying may be the answer. The process involves blowing hot air through the garment using a specialised tool called a “blower”. This can be done by hand or with a blower attachment.
A blower attachment is more convenient than blowing by hand, but it also costs about $100. A manual blower is cheaper, but requires more time and effort.
You should only blow dry shirts made from 100% cotton. Synthetic materials like polyester tend to shrink after being blown dry.
Use a blotting cloth
A blotting cloth is another option for removing moisture from your clothes. Simply place the cloth on top of the item and press down firmly. Leave the item to sit for a few minutes before moving onto the next step.
This method is great for items that need to be dried quickly, such as sportswear. However, it’s not suitable for delicate fabrics such as silk.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to get rid of wrinkles without resorting to ironing. Try out these methods and see which ones suit you best.
