In addition to cleaning and doing laundry, keeping our clothes wrinkle-free and aesthetically pleasing is something that every household cares about. However, due to the variety of fabrics, some garments don’t always come out smooth and crisp after washing or hanging in the closet. They can easily develop creases and wrinkles, unintentionally making the outfit look less presentable and affecting the wearer’s confidence.
A common and effective solution to this problem is to use a flat iron or clothing iron. But what if you don’t have an iron at home or it suddenly stops working? The answer lies in another household appliance that somewhat resembles a washing machine.
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We’re talking about the clothes dryer. And the best part? It only takes 15 minutes, and you don’t have to lift a finger. According to experienced users, simply put the wrinkled clothes in the dryer and select the quick dry setting. Once the cycle is complete, your clothes will come out smooth and crisp, with significantly reduced wrinkles—a result not far from what you’d achieve with a dedicated iron.
Experts explain that this method works because when fabrics come into contact with high temperatures, the wrinkles are relaxed and smoothed out. The dryer emits continuous heat onto the clothes, similar to how a steam iron or a metal iron works to flatten garments.
A clothes dryer can help reduce wrinkles, and many users are unaware of this handy feature. (Illustration)
Apart from using a clothes dryer, you can also utilize your washing machine, provided it has a standard drying function. The process is quite similar to using a clothes dryer, and in just 15 minutes, you’ll be surprised by the smooth and crisp outcome.
However, keep in mind that the primary function of a dryer is to dry and sterilize clothes. Therefore, it’s not advisable to overuse it for ironing purposes, as frequent use for this purpose can shorten the appliance’s lifespan, increase electricity consumption, and may not yield the same optimal results as a dedicated iron. The tip to use a dryer or a washing machine with a drying function to iron clothes should only be employed in necessary situations.
If your washing machine has a drying function, you can use it to smooth out wrinkles. (Illustration)
Other tips to smooth out wrinkles without an iron
Additionally, you can explore other alternatives to smooth out wrinkles, all without the need for an iron or clothing iron.
1. Use a kettle or a pot of hot water
Who knew that a humble kettle or a metal pot in your kitchen could come to the rescue for wrinkle-free clothes? Simply boil some water in the kettle or pot, and then use the base to glide over the wrinkles on your clothes. This method works similarly to a traditional metal iron. Alternatively, you can also hold the wrinkled fabric over the steaming kettle or pot to let the steam do its magic.
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2. Use a hairdryer
This next tip is similar to using a clothes dryer or the drying function of your washing machine, but it’s a bit more hands-on. Simply use a hairdryer on its highest heat setting and direct the airflow at the wrinkled areas. Just be careful not to burn yourself during the process.
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3. Utilize your water heater
Those pesky wrinkles can be tackled with high-temperature steam. Try hanging your wrinkled clothes in an enclosed space like a bathroom or a shower cubicle. Turn on the hot water to fill the space with steam, and let it work on those wrinkles. However, this method takes a considerable amount of time, so you’ll need to leave the clothes overnight or even for an entire day.
4. Damp cloth method
Lastly, grab a damp face towel or cloth. Place your wrinkled garment on a flat surface, cover the wrinkles with the damp cloth, and then press down firmly. Let the garment air-dry, and by the time it’s dry, the wrinkles should be gone.
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