When your alarm goes off in the morning, it is like, an atom bomb is ready to explode on top of your head! You know your time is up; you know you will be busted, but you are still paralyzed to do anything. Just a few seconds ignoring the alarm, and the bomb goes off.
There is no time even to sit and have your coffee; forget about ironing. It is a case of, you are done for if you do, and you are done for if you don’t. Be late or be presentable – that is the question.
Don’t you wish you had clothes that never need ironing? Wrinkled clothing is such a deal-breaker everywhere.

Choosing fabrics less likely to wrinkle is just a matter of commonsense.
Which fabrics wrinkle less and which do a lot?
All fabrics wrinkle. But some more than the other. And some recover more easily than others. So which are these naturally wrinkle free fabrics? It is time to get lucky.
Natural fabrics wrinkle a lot more – for example, if my polyester top and my cotton top are mishandled and stuffed inside the laundry bag – both are ill-treated and wrinkled. But the cotton will look far worse.
If I try to straighten both, the polyester one will look better without an iron touching it.
I think linen is the most prone to wrinkles out of all. Linen clothes wrinkle even when they have a crease-resistant finish applied to them; So, what to say about ordinary linen. But then, many love the wrinkles on linen and call this its charm.
Rayon fabrics (and other cellulosic fabrics) wrinkle a lot, especially thin ones. This, when nowadays most of the tops for women are made of rayon or a mix of it.
Spun silks like dupioni silk wrinkle less than other filament silks. The thin varieties of silks wrinke the most. A lot of store bought inexpensive gowns are made of taffeta – but it is a nightmare regarding wrinkles.
Which are the best travel-friendly fabrics for a wrinkle-free trip?
Polyester and nylon and such resilient synthetic fabrics are supposed to wrinkle less than the natural fiber fabrics like silk, cotton, linen etc. They also do not retain the wrinkles – a slight press with an iron will remove the wrinkles very fast. Sometimes even hanging them in the shower area after a hot shower will do the trick.
Out of these wrinkle-less materials, thin materials wrinkle even more. Wool like merino and acrylic clothes are also less wrinkle-prone. Acrylic clothes more so.
A lot of thick knits are also less wrinkle-prone than woven clothes. Thin knits do wrinkle a lot.
Some twill-woven fabrics like Gabardine, denim have a compact structure and hard finish that prevents wrinkling.
Spandex clothes, even the blended spandex clothes, wrinkle less. If the weather permits, I would pack a lot of spandex blend clothes because they are comfortable fitting-wise and are wrinkle free.
Blended fabrics consisting of synthetic and natural fibers are more resistant to wrinkles than pure 100% natural fiber fabrics.

How to know if a fabric will wrinkle or not?
Checking the fiber of your fabric is the first step- whether the fabric is made of synthetic or natural or a blend of both. Synthetic fabrics and blends are more wrinkle-resistant.
Durable press rating
There is a rating called Durable Press rating. This is a rating that assures that the fabric has a smooth appearance after it is laundered and dried. The highest rating (which is 5) says that it is wrinkle resistant. A score of 3.5 is good enough.
In textile terms, the wrinkle effect is measured in terms of ‘crease recovery.’ and ‘crease resistance’. Crease recovery is the ability of a fabric to recover to a definite degree. Crease resistance is the ability of a fabric to resist the formation of crease or wrinkle when slightly squeezed. You can try this yourself.
Do a hand creasing test to verify this – scrunch the fabric in your hand. Check how long it takes for the fabric to recover from its creased state. Those which lag in this will need to be pressed with a hot iron to remove the wrinkles on them. You cannot label them ‘high ease of care’ or wash and wear.
In the book Fabric Sewing Guide by Claire Shaeffer, this is mentioned – “pull a thread from your fabric and untwist it. The fiber with more crimp will wrinkle less” – so a crepe fabric will wrinkle less than a smooth fabric.
‘High ease of care’ is the highest compliment you would give these fabrics.
What is a Wrinkle-Resistant Fabric?
The wrinkle-free finish is also mentioned on clothes as “Easy Care,” “Durable Press,” “Wrinkle-Resistant,” “Wash and Wear,” “No-Iron,” and so on. The wrinkle-free clothes are advertised as clothes that would not need to be ironed after laundering. Ofcouse, a little bit of ironing may be needed, but not the shoulder-paining kind you would need with linen and cotton clothes.
Polyester and nylon, and other synthetic fabrics are often mentioned as ‘wash and wear’. They are naturally wrinkle-resistant. And even those wrinkles that are formed, they let go very fast.
But other fabrics are also referred to by this term. These are fabrics with a special resin coating (Phenol-Formaldehyde resins, Urea formaldehyde resin, Alkyd resins, Ketone resins, Vinyl resins) given for wrinkle resistance -collectively called wrinkle-reisistent finishes.
If you see a cotton or cotton blend material that does not wrinkle, you should know that it has been treated. Wrinkle-resistance finishes are applied to lessen the need for ironing – they come at a cost, but some people who really like these are prepared to pay a premium for a wrinkle-less life.
What does the different wrinkle-free labels say?
Anti–crease: The fabric would not be deformed by folds or creases.
Wash-n-wear: This means that the fabric is very easy to maintain. The fabric of the clothing doesnot need much ironing. You can wash them and then straight up, wear them.
Durable press: This means that everything including the pleats on the fabrics would all be same even after enduring laundering and drying in machines.
Are they worth it ?
The “wash-and-wear” shirt was first introduced in 1953. It has gained a lot of popularity since the 1990s.
The first wrinkle-free coating was a result of a lot of harmful chemicals applied on the fabric. Even though many innovations have been made, the chemicals are still chemicals. They may still cause allergic reactions. So choose the ‘wrinkle-free finish’ fabric with full knowledge of what they entail.
Another disadvantage is that some of the fabrics (depending on the manufacturer) may feel stiff and uncomfortable and at times even harsh on the skin. Some may even have a chemical smell.
What causes wrinkles on fabrics in the first place?
As long as good looks pay, there will be a premium on everything that makes you look good. This includes the beautiful clothes you wear – and for clothes to be presentable, they have to be smooth and unwrinkled.
The premium for unwrinkled clothes involves the time and energy you spend ironing them to their pristine conditions.
Are there ways in which you do not have to invest so much time and effort into pressing, ironing, etc, and still look good? . I mean ways to prevent wrinkles at the base.

You do not have to just blame yourself for treating your clothes shabbily or scrunching them up inside storing spaces; Fabric is naturally inclined to wrinkle.
Fabric is made up of bound molecules. Bending, crushing, and folding of cellulosic materials (cotton, linen, rayon) causes strain on their polymer bonds and wrinkles.
When there is pressure applied to hydrogen bonds between the cellulose chains, they can distort or break. In addition to pressure, moisture or heat combined with moisture cause fabric to wrinkle more – this includes perspiration, keeping it in a wet and humid place or during washing and drying. The bonds then rearrange themselves, forming new bonds, resulting in the creases you see.
Cellulose-based materials such as cotton, linen, and rayon wrinkles far more than synthetic materials like Polyester and nylon clothes.
So how do you prevent the wrinkling
When you know how wrinkles are formed, you can reverse engineer it so that the wrinkles are not made in the first place, right?
Appropriate Washing cycles

Permanent press cycles in the washing machines are meant for wrinkle-free clothes – it automatically washes the clothes in a gentle cycle; the water flow is gentle, and the result is wrinkle-less clothes.
Another recommended cycle is a steam cycle. The steam cycle is supposed to deliver a deeper clean and can smooth out wrinkles and creases. However, not every washer has a steam cycle. You can create something akin to a steam cycle by using ice cubes inside during the drying phase.
If you do not have these cycles, ensure that you do not overstuff your machine when you wash. Your garments are more likely to come out crumpled and wrinkled if they don’t have enough room to move. Use a free-flowing wash and untangle clothes as soon as washing is over.
Do not use hot wash and rinse cycles for permanent press clothes.
Additives in the laundry can prevent unwanted creases.
Fabric softeners help to make your garments softer, smell better, and decrease wrinkles. Before you start the washing, add the required amount of fabric softener to the load. Dryer sheets are also said to be good to prevent wrinkles.
Dry the clothes properly
Take out clothes as soon as washing and drying is finished and hang to dry further. Do not keep them heaped in a bucket or inside the machine to form the wrinkles.
Preferably hang them with clips on a line.

And, not like this. A linen shirt with all its wrinkled glory!

Iron the clothes correctly
Though this is not a preventive measure for wrinkles, ironing clothes correctly can prevent wrinkles from appearing afterward.
Sometimes even after ironing, you would notice that your clothing is still wrinkled. This may be because the wrinkles or creases are set in.
Ironing totally dry garments may not remove the wrinkles thoroughly. To get rid of the most stubborn wrinkles, ironing the clothing while they’re still somewhat moist is desirable.

Moistening the fabric makes ironing easier and smooths out the wrinkles. So use a spray bottle while ironing. When ironing, use the appropriate heat setting. To avoid creating additional creases, pull the fabric tight and taut before ironing.
Please make sure that you hang your clothing up as soon as you finish ironing them. Hang the garments on a wooden hanger as quickly as possible. Hanging is better than keeping them folded, as folding can recreate wrinkles.
Store the clothes properly.
If your closet is overflowing, this is one more reason why your clothes are all wrinkled. They will inevitably get wrinkles when cramped inside, even if you have painstakingly ironed them. Perhaps it’s time to declutter!
Wooden hangers are recommended instead of wire hangers because wooden ones are very heavy and thick. The weight of your clothes can pull on the wire hanger, causing additional creases or puckering in the fabric.
Hangers should be spaced one or two inches apart so that the clothing will not rub against each other because they will not be in contact.
Ensure that your closet has enough depth that the hung clothes do not bunch against the wall and create more wrinkles. A depth of about 24 inches is recommended for hanging shirts and blouses properly without creasing them.
Prevent creases while wearing the clothes
Clothes can wrinkle while you’re wearing them. When you sit down, be careful that you do not crease your clothes. With a bit of care, you will not have the back of your shirt or blouse looking like you have been rolling through the alley. Just put it up when you sit.
Dress in the appropriate size. Your clothes are bound to wrinkle if they’re too tight and also, too loose.
Packing wrinkle-free clothes for travel
Stuffing your clothes into suitcases or bags is a sure way to make your garments wrinkle. Staying organized will keep your clothes from wrinkling while you’re on the road.
Because the garments brush and press against each other in bags and backpacks, they wrinkle. This generates a small amount of heat, which might cause wrinkles, especially if your garments are stuffed in there tightly folded.
Rolling is a good technique to maintain the clothes wrinkle-free inside a suitcase.

Fold your garments along the seams to avoid creases and smooth any wrinkles away. After that, roll up your garments. Smoothing out wrinkles in the middle is crucial. T-shirts, slacks, casual dresses, swimwear, and pajamas are ideal for rolling, but bulkier garments, such as sweaters, are not. When rolled instead of folded, they can take up more room. But button-up shirts are a little difficult to roll and are more likely to develop wrinkles.
Fold one leg over the other to roll your jeans. Begin rolling at the ankles and work your way up to the waistband. Fold the arms back to create a long rectangle, fold the garment in half, and roll up from the bottom for tops. Because rolled items may be packed securely into luggage corners and edges, this technique helps avoid creases while saving room in your suitcase.
What to do if you want to prevent wrinkles or remove them with no iron in sight?
There is something called a wrinkle release spray. If you are in a place with no iron and you notice wrinkles on your clothes, you can pack this.
Another hack is to place the clothing over your curtain rail while having your hot shower or just after a hot shower. The steam from the hot water aids in the removal of the bothersome creases.
If you have some time, you can try the rolling method. Place the wrinkled item on a flat surface, smooth out any wrinkles, roll it up like a burrito, and then lay the garment under a mattress. This is a hack to ironing. And prevents and reduces wrinkling, atleast to an extent
Though many people do not like the feel of most wrinkle free materials, or are sceptical about the durability of the clothes, they sure are a convenient way to look presentable in wrinkle-less clothes.
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