How to Get Wrinkles Out of Polyester

Polyester is one of the most common textiles. It's a reasonably durable and low-maintenance material, which makes it a popular choice for clothing manufacturers. However, exposure to high heat can damage polyester, and though it's a fairly wrinkle-free fabric, it's not entirely without creases. Getting wrinkles out of polyester is a little tricky, but it's still possible. Here are five methods you can try to keep your polyester clothing, tablecloths, and curtains looking smooth and neat.

Before Getting Started

Polyester ranges in quality and varies in terms of durability and heat resistance. Always check the garment's care tag before applying heat.

Anytime you're ironing or steaming a new garment, you should do a patch test. Choose a hidden part of the fabric, such as inside an underarm seam, to see how it responds. If the fabric starts to shrink or scorch, remove the heat immediately and switch to a different method.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Polyester

1. Iron It on a Low Heat Setting

You can iron many types of polyester, but you'll need to take a few precautions. For starters, choose a low to medium setting for the iron (or less than 320°F) and use the steam function. Place a pressing cloth over the garment so the iron doesn't directly contact the material. After you finish ironing, hang the garment to air-dry immediately to prevent new wrinkles from forming.

2. Use a Steamer

If you don't want to mess with the hassle of getting your ironing board out or you're working with a delicate material, a steamer is a good ironing alternative. Since a steamer doesn't make direct contact with the fabric like an iron does, it won't crush the fibers.

Start by hanging the polyester garment on a hanger or draping it over a shower rod if it is a large item. Work your way from top to bottom using downward strokes, letting the steamer nozzle lightly graze the item. You shouldn't have to press into the garment with the nozzle to release the wrinkles.

3. Run Your Shower

When you travel, you might not always have access to an iron or steamer. If you love to take hot showers, use them to your advantage. Hang the wrinkled piece of clothing on a hanger on the towel hook. Shut the bathroom door, and run warm water from the shower head for at least 20 minutes.

4. Apply Wrinkle-Releaser Spray

Wrinkle-remover spray is another excellent on-the-go method. Several types of wrinkle-releaser sprays are on the market, or you can make your own by diluting fabric softener or hair conditioner in distilled water.

Spray the wrinkles with the solution and shake the item. Give deeper creases a few extra mists and run a blow dryer on a cool setting over those spots if they get too damp.

5. Toss It in the Dryer

A spin in the dryer is a quick and effective way to refresh wrinkly items, but you'll need to add moisture. You can mist the wrinkled piece with water, throw in a damp towel, or add a handful of ice cubes to the cycle to generate steam. Use a medium heat setting, and run the dryer for about five to 10 minutes.

Tips for Preventing Wrinkles in Polyester

Since you probably don't have time to deal with wrinkled clothing in the first place, you can do a few things to stop the creases before they set in. For starters, hang up your polyester to air-dry or run it in the dryer immediately after the wash cycle ends. If you go the dryer route, hang up the article of clothing immediately and put it away in your closet. If the item goes in your dresser rather than your closet, roll it up instead of folding it to avoid pesky creases.

Fabric softener may also prevent polyester from wrinkling easily, but only use it once every three or four washes to prevent product build-up and potential damage to your washing machine. Additionally, using spray starch on your garment before ironing it may keep it wrinkle-free longer.