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How to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes When Traveling – 12 Simple Methods

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If you’re tired of packing your clothes carefully, only to arrive at your destination and open your suitcase to find your clothes are wrinkled then, thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide looks at how to get wrinkles out of clothes when traveling, with six simple but effective methods.

Six Tips to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes

Let’s face it, creased and wrinkled clothing is a problem, no matter where or why you’re traveling. Whether it be for a wedding, an important meeting, or simply your fanciest night attire, no one wants to look as though they’ve crawled through shrubbery for several hours wearing those clothes. But avoiding creases and wrinkles in clothes is difficult, no matter how effectively you pack.

Often times, and ironing board may not be at hand. Or, the ironing equipment in your hotel or accommodation may not be up to scratch. So, with wrinkled clothes, it’s always good to plan ahead.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at six simple but effective methods to get wrinkles out of your clothes when traveling.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes When Traveling

1 – Pack a Travel Steamer

If you pack formalwear, or you want to avoid ironing, a travel steamer is an excellent product to travel with. Compact in size, you shouldn’t have much trouble packing it in your luggage or carry-on.

On arrival, take the wrinkled clothing and hang it upright. Then, fill your travel steamer with a little water, plug it in, and flip the switch to start boiling the water inside. Within minutes, you’ll have a steamer that you simply run the length of your hung clothing. The steam, slowly, will remove wrinkles and creases from the clothing, leaving you with wrinkle free clothes.

If you’re interested in taking a closer look at a travel steamer, we recommend Hilfie’s mini travel steamer.

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2 – Use a De-Wrinkling Spray

De-wrinkling sprays are simple, yet so helpful when it comes to getting wrinkles out of your clothes. It’s the perfect tool to help you look your best when you’re tight on time or space. Hang up or layout your piece of clothing, spray them with the solution, and stretch the fabric until the creases are gone. It’s that simple. The spray bottle won’t take much space, so you can pack it together with your clothes.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser is our recommended de-wrinkling spray, if you’re interested in taking a spray with you on your travels.

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3 – Try the ‘Shower Steam’ Technique

All you need for this simple de-wrinkling technique is hot water from the hotel or accommodation shower. Hang up the creased piece of clothing in the bathroom and make sure the shower is turned on and the water is hot. Close the door and turn off the extractor fan to make sure steam builds up in the room.

Over time, the steam will help de-wrinkle your hung clothing. Although this technique may not give you a perfectly smooth, wrinkle-free garment, it’s still a worthwhile option if you aren’t traveling with a steamer or de-wrinkling spray. You can even try this while you’re taking a hot shower yourself.

4 – Hang Your Clothes on Arrival

Very simply, take your clothes out of the suitcase the moment you arrive at your destination, and then hang them up. This will allow your clothes to breathe, and with enough time, your clothes will slowly de-wrinkle, to varying degrees.

5 – Use a Damp Towel

Another resourceful technique is to use damp towels. The best thing about this tip is that you can do it anywhere, even in the restroom. Lay the garment on a flat surface, press and smooth out the damp towel, and that’s it. Slowly, your clothes will decrease, and the appearance drastically improve.

Be mindful, however, of how much you wet the towel. Only a little water is needed, and make sure you wring the towel well before applying it to the surface of your wrinkled clothes.

6 – Use a Hair Straightener for Collars and Cuffs

If you travel with a hair straightener, then you’re in luck. You can flat iron a bent collar or cuff with your hair strengthener. Be sure, however, to adjust the temperature so that you start low and gradually increase as you iron. Be careful, as overzealous flat ironing can easily scorch clothes.

Six Packing Tips to Help Reduce Wrinkles in Your Clothes

While clothes creasing once packed is difficult to prevent, there are some measures you can take to reduce the chances of your clothes creasing and wrinkling once packed. Before your next trip, try some, or all, of these expert packing tips to help keep your clothes wrinkle-free.

  • Try to travel with clothes made of wrinkle-resistant fabric, such as polyester, nylon, lycra (spandex), knit, wool, cashmere, or Jersey, and various synthetic fabrics.
  • Choose a wrinkle-free packing technique such as rolling or bundle wrapping to pack your clothes. There are plenty of YouTube videos that will show you how to pack in this way.
  • Minimize folding if you pack dress pants or delicate fabrics. Try only to fold these items once, if possible.
  • Plastic minimizes friction, so pack your clothes in a plastic dry-cleaning or garment bag. Use one bag per piece of clothing.
  • Pack lightly to give your clothes a little more space to breathe.
  • Place a piece of tissue paper in or along the intended fold line of your pants, shirts, and dresses, and then fold them. The tissue will help reduce friction and, therefore, wrinkling.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes When Traveling Summary

Although wrinkled clothes are difficult to avoid, you don’t have to let them frustrate and ruin your holiday or business trip. With a little know-how and forward planning, you can travel, safe in the knowledge that you can get your smartest shirts and fanciest dresses looking creaseless and flawless, no matter how bumpy the ride may be.

The best solution may not be initially obvious, but with an open mind and a willingness to try a few of these methods, you should be in a better position to avoid wrinkles and avoid creases when it comes to packing your clothes, or de-wrinkling them once you have arrived.

One final time, here’s how to get wrinkles out of clothes when traveling using our six simple methods.

1 – Pack a Travel Steamer
2 – Use a De-Wrinkling Spray
3 – Try the ‘Shower Steam’ Technique
4 – Hang Your Clothes on Arrival
5 – Use a Damp Towel
6 – Use a Hair Straightener for Collars and Cuffs
7 – Try Clothes with Wrinkle-Resistant Materials
8 – Try a Wrinkle-Free Packing Technique
9 – Minimize Folding for Delicate Fabrics
10 – Pack in a Plastic Dry-Cleaning or Garment Bag
11 – Pack Light
12 – Fold over Tissue Paper

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How to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes When Traveling

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