How To Get Rid Of Wrinkles Without An Iron

Sometimes the thought of reaching for the iron, filling it with water, and waiting while it heats up is not something you want to do on a busy morning. Especially when you add in the additional tasks of pulling out the ironing board, setting it up, and then putting it back. Then there's the actual act of ironing itself. Before you know it, you're running late to work.

Thankfully, there are easier and faster ways to get the wrinkles out of your clothing without going through the whole ironing process. In this article, you'll find a variety of techniques you can use with items you most likely have lying around the house.

Before diving into the different methods, it's worth noting that you can prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place with some preventative measures. Well + Good advises taking the items out of the dryer as soon as the cycle is over and to resisting the temptation to throw them onto a surface, such as the common "chairdrobe." But if you've already done that and are looking for a quick wrinkle fix, read on.

One of the most commonly known methods for swiftly smoothing out clothing is using a wrinkle-release spray. Many laundry brands now make their own variation of this spray, so it's easy to find in stores. For jet setters, it's also easy to find travel size bottles that are TSA-compliant.

Simply spray the wrinkled garment and then shake it out. Don't have a store-bought wrinkle releaser on hand? No problem. Real Simple suggests an easy DIY technique. In an empty spray bottle, mix together 1 cup of distilled water with 1 teaspoon fabric softener and 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol.

Another homemade method according to Real Simple is blending one part white vinegar with three parts water and a drop of citrus-scented essential oil into a spray bottle. Whichever one you choose, shake it like you would a store bought one and let the mixture get to work.

Travelers have used this technique in hotel bathrooms for quite some time, but you can also try it right in your own home. While it's not the most powerful way to get wrinkles out of clothing, according to StyleCaster, it's the perfect solution for when you're in a hurry, especially since it requires little to no extra time in your day.

While you heat up the water for your morning shower, take the wrinkled item on a hanger and place it on a hook as close to the shower as possible. You can even hang it inside the shower towards the back as long as the water doesn't splash onto it. The heat from the steam will break down the wrinkles and smooth the item out. Be sure that the door and all windows are closed during the process to get the most out of this method.

If you're getting ready for your day and already have your hair blow dryer out on the bathroom counter, you're in luck. The heat from this hair tool can not only smooth your hair, but also your wrinkled clothes.

Reader's Digest suggests getting just a small amount of water onto the item to relax it before hitting it with the warm hair dryer. Then, lay the item onto a surface such as a made bed or countertop and point the nozzle towards the wrinkled spots on the clothing. Gently run it over the fabric, using your hands to flatten it as you go. The wrinkles should begin to fade before you know it and your clothes will be ready to wear.

A word of caution with this method: Be sure to keep the blow dryer at a distance from the article of clothing to avoid burning yourself and the material.

Sometimes just a small element of the clothing needs to quickly be de-wrinkled. It could be an attached belt, a collar, or the shoulder straps. That's when another hair tool comes in handy.

Your flat iron serves as a mini iron in a pinch. You'll want to be sure that it's clean of any hair products before attempting this method. Just give it a good wipe with a towel while it's unplugged and cool to remove any buildup or residue.

According to PureWow, you should also be aware of the temperature settings when using it on certain materials. Cotton garments, for example, can withstand higher temperature heat from the flat iron while silk is more sensitive and needs to be used on a lower setting. Once you have your flat iron to the proper temperature, simply clamp the iron onto the area and slide from one end to the other — just like you would a portion of hair.

This method way may seem a bit wacky, but it's been known to work. And you can use it whether you're at home or hotel, because you don't need anything besides the mattress that you're sleeping on.

Self recommends laying the wrinkled item on a flat surface, such as your bed or countertop, first. Run your hands over it to manually flatten it and then firmly roll the piece of clothing as tight as possible. It should look like a tightly rolled burrito. Lift up the mattress and place the rolled clothing underneath. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

The heavy weight of the mattress will literally act like a press for your clothes while you go about the rest of your morning routine. Once you pull it out, you'll discover that the wrinkles have magically faded and you'll be good to go for the rest of your day. 

Another unconventional, yet effective, way to get wrinkles out of clothing is by using the base of a pot or tea kettle. This works well when you're without an iron because this method mimics the effect of one. It works best on more durable materials such as cotton and linen.

According to Real Simple, start by boiling a pot of water or a kettle on the stove. While the water is boiling, lay a towel on a hard surface (such as a table or a countertop) and put your wrinkled piece of clothing on top. Once the steam rises, remove the pot, carefully pour out the water, and immediately begin ironing the clothing. Simply run the bottom of the pot or kettle over the wrinkled spots and let the heat do the work.

Prefer using a steamer to get your wrinkles out? Another option is to use the spout on a kettle as a makeshift fabric steamer.

This method is perfect for especially busy mornings when you don't have time to pull out the iron and ironing board. Good Housekeeping recommends tossing the wrinkled item you want to wear into the dryer with three to four ice cubes and setting the timer for 10 minutes.

The ice melts and adds moisture inside the dryer drum. The steam that it emits smooths out the fabric and gets rid of the wrinkles. If it's not perfectly smooth after 10 minutes, pop a few more ice cubes in and run it again. This method allows you to go about your morning routine without having to worry about the extra step of ironing.

If the ice tray is empty, there's an easy alternative that has the same effect as ice cubes. Just soak a washcloth in water and throw it in the dryer for the same amount of time. 

Similar to the above method, this one works a bit faster. Rather than throwing in a few cubes or a small washcloth, The Spruce suggests using a woven towel to get wrinkles out of clothes.

Wet a clean bath or beach towel as best you can, squeeze out the excess water, and toss it in the dryer alongside the wrinkled item. Steam will begin to loosen up the wrinkles and smooth out the material. Tumble the garment for about five minutes and then promptly hang it somewhere to cool.

Reader's Digest proposes another way to get creases out using a wet towel. It's especially ideal for travelers who don't have access to a dryer. By flattening the piece of clothing out on a surface and then pressing a damp towel into it, you'll begin to release the wrinkles. Immediately hang the item up to dry and you'll be good to go in no time.