Technology sometimes fails. And almost always - at the most inopportune moment for this. In the high-risk group, the top three are smartphones, laptops and irons.

The latter fail most often. The iron has burned out, and all the shirts and dresses are competing in the number of folds? Don't panic. Try one of these alternative hacks on how to iron clothes without an iron.
To look neat, especially when traveling or on a business trip, you can do without an iron. After all, there are other ways to put your clothes in order. Use...

1. Hairdryer

Place the item on the flattest possible surface, switch the hairdryer to high temperature and, holding it at a distance of about 10cm, carefully process all the folds and unevenness of the clothing. You'll see: under the influence of high temperature they will literally smooth out by themselves.

2. Shower

Give your wrinkled clothes a real sauna. To do this, take it with you to the bathroom, hang it as close as possible (just so as not to get it wet) and take a hot shower. Don't forget to close the door. A great way to use it on vacation or a business trip.

3. Wet towel

Straighten the clothes on a flat surface, apply a damp (and preferably warm) towel to the “bruises”, and press firmly. This should work against deep creases. Then put the item on a hanger and let it dry.

4. Vinegar

Surely you know that there are special smoothing sprays for clothes. It turns out that making their own analogue is as easy as shelling pears. And much cheaper. Mix one part vinegar with three parts water and pour into a spray bottle. Treat things and let them dry. The effect should please you.

5. Boiling kettle

The secret is still in the same “steam room effect”. When the kettle boils and steam comes out of its spout, bring the unironed item closer and steam it. Just be careful with the burner, it's a fire hazard!

6. Washing machine

If the clothing label does not prohibit automatic drying, spray the clothing with water and throw it in the washing machine along with a couple of other damp items. Also throw a couple of ice cubes into the drum. Drying time – 15 minutes. During the process, the ice will melt and you will get the effect of steam ironing.

7. Hot pan

Pour water into a saucepan and place on fire. When it boils, pour out the water and use the hot pan as an iron: hold it by the handles (don’t forget oven mitts!) and literally iron all the folds on the clothes with the bottom. Just make sure the bottom is clean. Inventive, right?

8. Hair straightener

Ideal for quickly smoothing out small wrinkles or tidying up a shirt collar. The main thing is that there is no stray hair left on the ceramic plates - this can cause a burnt hole. Otherwise, the iron lives up to its name.

All modern housewives are so accustomed to the presence of household appliances in their lives that when devices break down or there are power outages, they are completely lost. For example, very few people know how to iron things without an iron, but this is not as unrealistic as it seems.

To iron a shirt or favorite skirt with your own hands, it is not at all necessary to rely on the benefits of civilization; in extreme cases, you can use the means at hand. Despite the fact that most of them involve a certain amount of time, the end result is completely worth it.

Traditional and unusual ways to iron things without using an iron

At home, you can bring wrinkled clothes to a presentable state using one of the simple and affordable methods:

• Using a hair curler. You can’t restore a shirt this way, but it’s suitable for creating creases on trousers or eliminating deep grooves on a skirt or tie. Simply heat the device to the desired temperature and pinch the problem areas of the fabric one by one.

Tip: The plates of the tongs must be wiped and degreased before use, otherwise persistent stains from melted styling products may appear on the fabric.

• Boiling kettle.

• If you need to quickly iron small clothes, then simply hang them over the spout of the kettle, from which steam comes out. It is not recommended to hold the product with your hands; you may get a thermal burn.
• Moisture. If the appearance of the item is spoiled by a single crease, then you need to moisten your palm with cold water and smooth out the formation. The furrow will disappear quite quickly, all that remains is to wait for the item to dry completely.

• Pressure. A good option for restoring a straight skirt or trousers without creases, but only if you have the whole night to spare. Wrinkled clothes should be placed on the bed frame, carefully smoothed out and covered with a mattress. Overnight the condition of the product should change for the better. In this way, not only deep, but also small surface folds are eliminated. A damp towel.
• A gentle first aid if your favorite knitted item is wrinkled. Take a terry towel, moisten it and wring it out well. We lay out the material on a dense horizontal surface, lay a woolen garment on top and straighten out all the folds. Just a couple of hours and all the irregularities will be eliminated. All that remains is to dry the product on hangers in a well-ventilated room.

Tight-fitting items just need to be put on, body heat will do its job, smoothing out all the imperfections. True, the object must initially be quite wet, so you will have to endure several not-so-comfortable minutes.

The listed approaches are not always convenient to use for processing products of complex shape. To iron a shirt, blouse or dress, it is better to use one of the following methods:

• Exposure to steam. We fill the bath with hot water, steam should come from it. We hang the item of clothing on hangers, straighten all the folds as much as possible and fix it above the water. Under the influence of heat and humidity, the fabric will straighten out quite quickly, but will become slightly damp. Then you need to hang it in a ventilated place and leave it until completely dry. The entire procedure will take at least 6 hours.
• Use of chemical reagents. We take the following components in equal proportions: 9% vinegar solution and cold water. Mix all the products and pour into a spray bottle. We hang the shirt or dress on hangers, straighten out the folds and spray the composition on the surface. The material should become sufficiently damp, but not wet through. All you have to do is wait until the product dries. It is prohibited to use sources of artificial heat!
• The principle of "smooth drying". Gives an excellent final result, despite the simplicity of the approach. We hang the still wet product on hangers or fix it in its natural position (this applies to trousers), and leave it in a well-ventilated area until completely dry. Gravity will do everything itself, there will be no visible irregularities left on the fabric.
• Processing with a hot lamp. This option is suitable for correcting poorly smoothed areas. When working with synthetics, extreme caution must be exercised. We turn on the lamp, wait until the bulb warms up well and begin to move the cloth over its surface. Wet things must be dried first, otherwise the lamp will burst.

Tip: Before holding an event, the lamp should be wiped with a dry cloth to remove dust. Otherwise, persistent gray or yellowish stains may appear on the surface of the fabric.

• Crease-free mode in the washing machine. Modern units even offer this function. To obtain the desired result, the item of clothing is simply run in spin and dry mode at maximum speed. This is a great option for an emergency, but should not be used too often. From such an aggressive impact, the fibers will quickly wear out and the item will take on a worn look after just a few runs.

If for some reason your relationship with the iron simply doesn’t work out, you shouldn’t get hung up on a specific device. Steamers are no less effective at removing wrinkles, but the problems and hassles of using them are much less.

Virtuosos can get the perfect result on a table covered with a blanket, but it is better to have an ironing board. For right-handers, it should be installed with the rounded end to the left, for left-handers, accordingly, to the right. The light should fall on the workplace from the side of the less active hand, the cord should follow freely and not interfere with the ironer.

It’s good to have gauze or a special ironing cloth and a container of water on hand. As a rule, modern irons are equipped with sprinklers, but a spray bottle will help moisten the item much faster.

How to iron clothes

Shirts

For a good result, the shirt should not be dry. Before ironing, spray it with water from a spray bottle.

The shirt begins to be ironed from the collar. Iron it from the inside, then from the outside. The next stage is the cuffs. They should be unbuttoned and straightened on the ironing board, then ironed thoroughly. Then move on to the sleeves. They should not have arrows. To avoid accidentally ironing them, run the iron only along the middle of the sleeve, avoiding the folds of the fabric.

Lastly, iron the hems and back of the shirt. Pay special attention to the area where the loops are knocked out - after fastening the buttons, it will be on top.

Trousers

Turn the pants inside out and smooth out the seams and pockets. Further manipulations are carried out from the front side. To prevent shiny areas from appearing on your pant legs, use damp gauze. It will dry quickly from the heat of the iron, so keep a container of water handy.

Place one pant leg on a board, cover with gauze and iron from bottom to top.

Make sure that no creases form during the process; getting rid of them will not be easy.

Then take care of the top of the trousers; for convenience, you can pull them over the rounded edge of the board. Pay special attention to the folds at the waistband, if any.

The last stage is smoothing out the arrows. Align the side seams of the legs and carefully press the folds of the fabric through the gauze. This activity requires concentration, since a sloppy arrow looks sloppy than its absence.

Jackets

Due to the many seams and details, it is also better to iron a jacket or cardigan through gauze so that the fabric does not become shiny. Iron the sleeves first, then work on the shoulders. You can make the task easier by using a roller made from a tightly rolled towel. Place it in the sleeve to press the crease and under the shoulder to press the seams.

The back and shelf are also ironed from the front side through gauze. There should be no problems with the jacket, but the jacket will require special attention due to the darts on the chest. Make sure that folds do not form on the shelves if the designer has not provided for them. The collar and lapels are left as a “snack”. To make ironing easier, stretch the fabric a little with your hands as you go.

Knitwear

Knitwear should be treated with care even during the drying process. Items made from this material are best dried flat on a horizontal surface: then you may not have to iron them. If the knitwear still needs ironing, moisten the item with water and gently steam it. There is no need to actively move the iron, just apply the hot sole of the device to each area of ​​the item and stay in this position for a few seconds. This way you do not deform the knitted product.

Delicate items

It is better to iron items made from thin fabric from the inside out at the lowest temperature setting. First, try ironing an area of ​​the item that is not in sight: this way you will understand how the fabric will behave after contact with a hot surface. You can also save a scrap of fabric, which is often sewn onto the garment, and practice ironing the delicate fabric on it.

How to iron home textiles

Sheets with elastic

Ironing a sheet with an elastic band around the perimeter is not a test for the faint of heart. It is not clear how to fold it and place it on the ironing board.

You can iron the sheet immediately before use. Pull it onto the mattress and run the iron over it. If the issue of storing ironed bed linen is important, you can iron the sheet on the mattress, then carefully roll it up. Fold it in half and tuck one corner into the other on each side, then in half again so that all corners are aligned. Spread the resulting rectangle on the table and fold it like a traditional sheet.

Duvet covers

Fold the duvet cover into quarters. Iron on one side, turn over and repeat the procedure. Unfold the duvet cover and fold it again so that the unironed sides are on the outside. Iron again on both sides. Repeat until all the fabric is straightened.

Silk bed linen

It is better to iron silk from the inside out so as not to damage the delicate fabric. Be sure to keep the labels that indicate what ironing temperature the manufacturer recommends using for the product, and strictly follow these tips.

If there is a need to moisten the item, it is better to spray it with a spray bottle and put it in a plastic bag for an hour. This way the product will be evenly saturated with moisture.

Tablecloths

Iron the edge first, then move on to the center part. If the product is very dry, spray it with a spray bottle and roll it up so that it is moistened evenly. For cotton and linen tablecloths, use hot water; its fabric absorbs better.

Curtains

Curtains should be ironed when they are still damp. Start ironing the curtain from top to bottom. When the top edge drops from the ironing board almost to the floor, hang the curtain on the curtain rod. Continue stroking the bottom, smoothing it out onto the board. This way you will avoid creases and contamination of the fabric. Lambrequins can also be ironed while wet.

For synthetic fabrics, there is a life hack that will allow you to do without an iron altogether. Hang damp curtains on the curtain rod - they will smooth out under their own weight.

How to iron things that shouldn't be ironed

If the label on the item clearly prohibits contact of the fabric with the iron, but folds and creases need to be smoothed out somehow, there are two ways to solve the problem.

1. Ironing with obstacles

You will need four thick napkins. Moisten two of them. Fold a “sandwich”: a wet napkin, a dry one, then a crumpled item, then a dry napkin and a wet one again. Iron the design with a low-heat iron.

2. Steaming

Hang the product on hangers or lay it out on a board. Bring the iron to the fabric, but do not touch it with a hot surface. Check the device in advance: along with the steam, it may begin to spew out pieces of rust. Press the steam button until the item becomes slightly damp. Then let it cool and dry.

Ironing clothes without an iron

How to iron clothes without an iron? I suggest you figure this out so that the dress or other item fits perfectly and without a single wrinkle.

13 ways to get rid of wrinkles

There are many different ways to iron things without an iron. In the table I have collected methods that have proven their effectiveness more than once.

So, how to iron without an iron:

Image	Description
	Option 1. Steaming If you have a compact steamer, use it. Fill a bath full of hot water and hang the item on a hanger over it. After two hours, all wrinkles will disappear.
	Option 2. Iron mug Pour boiling water into an iron mug. Carefully, trying not to spill water, arrange your clothes. Instead of a mug, you can use any clean metal container with boiling water (in the photo there is an example of using a ladle).
	Option 3. Proper drying Immediately after washing, shake the product thoroughly. Hang to dry on hangers. Shake clothes periodically during the drying process.
	Option 4. Special solution Add one part each of vinegar, fabric softener and water to a spray bottle and mix. Spray all creases generously and let the item dry. In fact, this is one of the most effective remedies. The price is a penny, but the result is 100%.
	Option 5. Boiling water Boil a kettle or pan of water. Bring the crumpled item under the stream of steam and hold it for a while. A great alternative to a hot bath and portable steamer.
	Option 6. Wet towel Wet the towel. The size of the canvas should be slightly larger than the size of the item. Place a wrinkled sweater, cardigan or pullover on top. Straighten by hand. When the wrinkles disappear, hang the item on a hanger.
	Option 7. Wet hands Wet your hands. Using pulling movements, go through the folds. This method will be effective for thin fabrics.
	Option 8. Hot light bulb You need to remove the hot light bulb, taking all precautions. Wrap the base in cloth to avoid getting burned. Lay the product on a flat surface, wrong side up. Gently iron out large creases.
	Option 9. Washing mode “No wrinkles” Some manufacturers of household appliances produce washing machines with the “No Crease” function. Things are wrung out at powerful speeds, so wrinkles do not appear on them. The instructions included with the machine will tell you how to start the required mode.
	Option 10. Stretching How to iron a T-shirt without an iron? You can simply pull the fabric a little in different directions and let it hang on the hanger.
	Option 11. Hot jar This method will be effective for ties, scarves and shawls: Pour hot water into a three-liter jar. Wrap the item you need around the jar. When the water has cooled, remove your clothes. There will be no creases left on it.
	Option 12. Weighting Lay the item out on a flat surface. Place a heavy press (a book, a filled pan) on top or place it under the mattress. Leave it like this overnight.
	Option 13. Curling iron How to iron a shirt without an iron if other methods have not helped? Try using a hot hair curling iron. A very effective method.

Useful tricks

I have a couple of tips that will tell you what you need to do so that you don’t have to iron your clothes at all:

Image	Recommendations
	Tip 1. Optimal fabric composition Choose clothes that contain at least a couple of percent synthetic fibers. Such things wrinkle much worse.

Housewives are so accustomed to the constant help of household appliances that the thought of how to iron things without an iron does not even occur to anyone. In fact, these skills can be very useful. For example, if you urgently need to iron your trousers or shirt on a business trip or travel. Or if there is a power outage in the house, and you need to look neat. There are several ways to iron things without using an iron, and we will look at the most popular of them.

How to iron clothes without an iron using steam?

This is one of the most popular methods. It's good if you have some time left. At least a couple of hours, or better yet, overnight. It is better to iron the item with steam in the evening. Fill the bath with hot water (you can even boil water). Hang wrinkled clothes on hangers above it. The steam will smooth out the wrinkles.

This method will make things smooth but damp. Therefore, carefully hang them in a place where they will dry without getting wrinkled.

Advantages of steam ironing:

• you can iron even classic things: trousers, shirt, dress;
• steam will not damage delicate fabrics;
• the method does not require much effort from the housewife.

Smoothing will take a little time - only twenty minutes. Subsequent drying will take much longer. Therefore, in urgent cases, this method will not help, otherwise you will have to go in wet clothes.

Ironing with a hot mug

In this method, a mug will act as a simplified analogue of an iron. It's no secret that the first irons were not electric. These were massive metal soles that had to be heated in a stove over hot coals.

Why not turn to the method invented by our ancestors? An iron mug will act as an iron. Only you need to heat it not in the oven, but by pouring boiling water into it.

Please note that the container must be metal. Thanks to its good thermal conductivity, it will heat up quickly and transfer heat to clothing.

Press and stretch

Things will smooth out if you stretch them well and place them under a load. You can put your favorite T-shirt under the mattress while you sleep. Overnight, under the weight of your body, all wrinkles will smooth out. The main thing is to arrange the clothes evenly. It is better to moisten the strongest folds and creases by moistening them with water.

This method has a couple of disadvantages.

1. You won't be able to iron classic items or clothes with a complex cut under pressure. But a T-shirt or jeans can be brought to almost perfect condition.
2. It will take a long time for the laundry to iron out. It is best to place wrinkled items under a press overnight.

The advantages of this method include simplicity and a minimum of additional materials.

Leveling solution

If you don’t have an iron, but you need to iron the item urgently, a self-leveling solution will come in handy. It is not difficult to prepare it at home.

The following components will be required:

• 9% vinegar;
• water;
• fabric softener;
• spray.

Mix water, vinegar and conditioner in equal proportions (1:1:1). Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle. Spray wrinkled clothing thoroughly. The wrinkles will disappear instantly. All that remains is to dry the laundry.

This solution does not leave stains even on light-colored items. This method is good as an “ambulance” for wrinkled clothes.

Moisture

To make the wrinkles disappear, you just need to wet the item. A damp towel or your own hand will come to the rescue.

A towel soaked in water is ideal for ironing sweaters and other wool items. Wring it out thoroughly and lay it out on a flat surface. Place the crumpled item on top. After some time, the wrinkles will go away and the sweater will become slightly damp. Dry it carefully on a coat hanger or flat surface.

With other fabrics you can do it easier. It is enough to thoroughly moisten the crumpled area with a wet hand. Dry the item carefully so that wrinkles do not form again. Before ironing, wash your hands to avoid leaving dirty marks.

An incandescent lamp will work as another analogue of an iron. The temperature on its surface is high enough to smooth out the most complex folds and creases. Ironing an entire shirt is so problematic. But it is possible to treat the most wrinkled areas.

Stretch the fabric with your hands and gently move it over the surface of the lamp. The larger the size of the lighting fixture, the more effective the ironing. It is better to place the lamp from the inside out to avoid stains.

You just have to be careful:

• the lamp is fragile and may break;
• It's easy to get burned.

You should use this method carefully if the fabrics are delicate. The lamp temperature cannot be adjusted. Make sure that the fabric does not melt or become deformed if it comes into contact with an object that is too hot. This especially applies to modern synthetic materials.

To iron with a lamp, you will need the simplest incandescent lamp. Modern energy-saving mercury-containing or LED light bulbs will not help - their temperature is not so high as to smooth out creases on things.

Gentle care

This is the most obvious way, but we will still indicate it. To prevent the item from having to be ironed, you do not need to wrinkle it. Do not put the washing machine on spin cycle. Take out the wet clothes, straighten them, stretch them in all directions and hang them carefully on hangers.

Clothes dried in this way will be virtually wrinkle-free. It is allowed to lightly squeeze things out by hand, gently squeezing them with your palms. After this, shake vigorously several times and stretch in different directions.

Special settings on modern washing machines will also help you avoid ironing. Some models have a “No Crease” program. To avoid ironing, use it.

In addition, the maximum speed of the centrifuge in combination with the maximum washing temperature will help to avoid ironing. True, things quickly become unusable from such treatment. Therefore, it is often better not to use this method. But for one-time use you can use it.

Pack your suitcase correctly. Do not fold clothes in piles, but roll them into small rolls. Things laid out in this way wrinkle minimally. So, when unpacking your bags, you don’t have to think about the need for ironing.

Wrinkle-resistant things

To avoid having to urgently look for an iron in the morning while traveling or on a business trip, act proactively. If possible, take wrinkle-resistant items with you. Typically, they are made entirely or partially from synthetic fibers.

Having chosen the right wardrobe, you won’t have to worry about ironing. The maximum that is required is to moisten and shake the clothes. On the “correct” fabric, the folds will smooth out on their own. Natural fabrics and cotton are the worst to iron.

It is permissible not to iron tight-fitting items at all. Under the influence of body temperature, they will quickly smooth out on their own. The method will work most effectively if you wear a slightly damp item. But in cold weather this can cause some inconvenience.

Steamer

This household appliance can compete with the familiar iron. If you often go on business trips where you need to look perfect, don’t be lazy and take it with you.

The steamer sprays a stream of hot steam over your clothes. High temperature and humidity help remove wrinkles quickly and efficiently. The device works even on the most complex items, such as jackets, wedding and evening dresses.

Some even use a steamer at home instead of an iron. It's convenient; you don't need to lay the item out on the ironing board.

Now you know that there are many alternatives to ironing. Some of them will become an “ambulance” for clothes. And some can be used at home to make household work easier. After all, going over a shirt with a steamer is easier than ironing all the collars and cuffs. Choose what you like best. Then you will be guaranteed an ideal appearance and compliments from others.