These Two Items Are The Secret To Wrinkle-Free Laundry

Whether you've remembered last minute that the outfit you planned on wearing needs to be ironed, or you're traveling and don't have access to a steamer, wrinkled clothing is a bummer. Luckily, it's possible to ease out some of those lines, without the help of an iron or steamer. What's more, the two major ingredients for this hack are incredibly easy to come by. That'd be, white vinegar and essential oils. You'll also need some water and a spray bottle for this. 

If you count yourself as part of the non-iron-loving crowd, you're probably already familiar with de-creasing sprays. These aren't particularly expensive — Amazon stocks a wide variety of options, including a Downy 3-pack with two full-size bottles and one travel size in a linen scent for just $17.99. You can also grab the sprays in a variety of other scents, like Cold Iron's mojito scent for $18.89, and a citrus version by Begley's, also available in a 3-pack for under $15. 

Scent aside, all it takes for this product to work its magic is a spritz and some smoothing (done easily enough with your hands), perfect for those days when ironing just isn't an option. That said, if you're in a hurry, sourcing a bottle in-store or waiting for it to be delivered might not be an option. This is where the white vinegar and essential oil hack comes in. Let's tackle those creases!

To get started on this one, dilute one part white vinegar in three parts water, and add in a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle (available in packs of three on Amazon for under $8), shake, and get to spritzing. You'll need to work the fabric a little, smooth it down with your hand and leave it to dry once again. That's the extent of your efforts, though!

As far as the actual de-creasing goes, white vinegar is the real hero ingredient, here. As noted by TikToker, Queen of Clean, the acidity in it is what helps with removing the wrinkles. For that reason, you technically could skip the essential oils, if you don't already have them on hand. 

However, the oils are what'll take your garment from smelling vinegary to whatever you want it to be. If you have a soft spot for florals, pop in some jasmine oil, and if you're more into citrus, reach for orange. Alternatively, if you're not sure which scent you'd prefer, or if you don't already have an essential oils stash, Amazon stocks a 6-pack of mixed scents for just $9.88, perfect for playing around until you find your signature scent. 

So, white vinegar and essential oils are a match made in fabulously scented, wrinkle-free heaven. However, there are definitely a few things you'll want to keep in mind before spritzing them onto everything you own. 

Adding a few drops of essential oils into your DIY spray isn't likely to leave stains, especially since it's in an already-diluted mixture. However, as Clell Fowles of Young Living Essential Oils told Apartment Therapy of using essential oils in laundry in general, some, like jasmine, are darker, and can leave marks on light fabrics. Again, in a diluted mix, that shouldn't become an issue, and if you do notice any marks, an immediate spot clean with dish soap and warm water should do the trick. That said, if you're spritzing a wrinkle releaser in the hopes of saving time, that's a little counter-intuitive — so opt for another essential oil from the start if your outfit of choice is white. 

As for vinegar, it's important to remember that the very acidity used to help de-crease clothing can also damage the items, if used too much, and on the wrong fabrics. Speaking to Martha Stewart, Whirlpool's Morgan LaLonde cautioned against using vinegar on delicates too often, and Kathy Cohoon of Two Maids and a Mop pointed out that the same goes for clothes that are made to be stretchy, like workout clothes. This DIY spray is perfect for when you're short on time, but it shouldn't be your everyday go-to.