Polyester was developed in the 1940s and was considered a textile revolution. Nowadays, over 50% of the world’s clothing is made of polyester or polyester blends. Such fabrics dry quickly, repel spills up to a point, and free people of ironing their clothes. That, of course, is true for materials that are 100% polyester. When it comes to polyester blends, however, things are not exactly the same. Depending on the amount of polyester that the blend has, the fabric may develop wrinkles and creases. If after cleaning, your polyester blends are looking less than smooth, follow the steps below to get rid of wrinkles.
As with cleaning, ironing polyester materials has its specifics.In this article, we will share a few different methods for doing exactly that. You can choose the one that you find most suitable for the particular item you have.
Most of those methods require moist heat. However, before using your steamer on any fabrics, check for any stains. The heat may set the stains and cause them to become hard to remove or even permanent.
Steamy shower
You can get rid of polyester wrinkles in the shower. If your new or already worn polyester clothes have creases, you can hang them in the shower. Make sure you do that after cleaning and once the garments are dry. Place them on hangers, and create some steam. You can use the hottest possible water from your tap. If you have a bathtub, you can use this opportunity to fill it up. Let the clothes sit in the shower for as long as possible (or until all the steam is gone).
Use the washing machine
Your washing machine can be useful for a lot more than just cleaning. To use it for removing wrinkles from polyester, follow these steps:
- Check the fabric care label for the required washing temperature.
- Choose a permanent press cycle. This cycle will use a slower final spin that will help reduce wrinkles. Use your usual laundry detergent.
- When loading the washing machine, make sure you don’t overstuff it. It is important that the fabric has space to move around for the cleaning process, and to help reduce wrinkles.
- After washing, shake the polyester garment to assist remove wrinkles. Tumble for about five minutes in an automated dryer set on medium-high heat. Remove the polyester clothing while it is still damp and hang it to dry on a strong hanger.
Remove wrinkles in the dryer
Always use this method after cleaning. Clean but wrinkled polyester clothes should also have no visible stains. The heat from the dryer may make them permanent.
- Dip a microfiber cloth in water, then wring it until it is damp. Place it in the dryer and add the clean garments.
- Set the cycle to medium or high heat and run a cycle. Let the fabric tumble for about 5 minutes.
- While the items are still damp, take them out of the dryer and hang them on a firm hanger. Allow them to air dry. If you have a dryer with a steam cycle, you can use it instead of placing a damp cloth inside.
Get rid of wrinkles using a clothes steamer
- Hang the polyester items – For polyester clothing, use a sturdy hanger to minimise further creases and to provide 360-degree access to the item. To expose as much surface area as possible, hang clothes, tablecloths, and other linens from a shower rod or clothing rack.
- To avoid hot water spills or dribbles, keep the steamer nozzle upright and concentrate on the right side of the fabric. As the steam escapes, gently brush the fabric with the nozzle. Holding the garment at the hem, gently pull on the hem to straighten the fabric as you work.
- Allow the fabric to dry naturally. Do not fold or wear an item until it is completely dry.
Use an iron to get rid of wrinkles
- Use an ironing board or another flat surface. You should also use a steam iron and a pressing cloth (especially for a high percentage of polyester).
- The majority of polyester fabrics can be ironed on a medium-high setting or roughly 150 degrees C. Choose a slightly lower heat setting if the fabric is very lightweight and thin.
- Spritz the fabric with water. Even though you will be using a steam iron, dampen the fabric a bit. This will help remove the wrinkles.
- Iron polyester on the right side using a pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to prevent glossy streaks if the iron is too hot. Iron slowly in long strokes from the top of the item to the bottom. When ironing a large piece of fabric, make sure the iron does not run dry.
- Once you are done with ironing, the fabric should feel slightly damp. Hang it on a sturdy hanger and allow it to air dry. Do not fold or wear the garment before it is completely dry.
Extra tips on reducing wrinkles:
- To avoid creasing during the spin cycle, do not overload the washer when washing polyester.
- Do not wear or use damp polyester fabric.
- As quickly as possible, open packaging and unfold stored polyester clothes. Allow wrinkles to relax by hanging.
- When washing, add fabric conditioner to the rinse cycle to assist relax the fibres.