Ironing without the Board: Alternative Ways to Remove Wrinkles

by Roger Schneider 05/20/2018

For those of us who live in small houses or who try to avoid unnecessary items taking up room our homes, owning an ironing board can seem like a waste of space. The most well-organized among us plan an ironing day and then fold up and tuck away their ironing board until the next week. If you're not the type to do all of your ironing in one day but still want your clothes to be tidy and wrinkle free, you have other options. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to de-wrinkle your clothing without having to lug around an ironing board.

Quick fixes

If you don't want to go out and buy anything new to iron your clothes, you're in luck. Many thrifty homeowners have discovered ways to de-wrinkle their clothes quickly or on-the-go. Some of the most effective:

Steamy bathroom. If you're getting ready for work in the morning but notice your clothes are wrinkled before you hop in the shower you can use the steam from your shower to de-wrinkle them. Don't turn on the fan or open any windows and make sure the water is hot enough to create a lot of steam. Hang up your clothes on the shower rod or on a coat hanger that's hanging on the rod. Make sure they're not near the water because you don't want your clothes actually getting wet. The steam will take 10-15 minutes to fully de-wrinkle your clothes.
Hair dryer. If you only have a few wrinkles on your shirt that you need to get out the hair dryer method is a great quick fix. Lay the piece of clothing down on a clean surface, and use the hair dryer on the hottest setting for a few seconds, moving it up and down the wrinkled area. Don't use this method excessively because you can easily damage some fabrics. For a stubborn wrinkle, try dabbing it with a wet towel before hair drying it.
Moist towel. If you have an hour or so before you need to leave the house but need to de-wrinkle your clothes, the wet towel method is a good solution. Dampen a towel with hot water and lay it out over the wrinkled article of clothing. Make sure the clothes doesn't have any folds or creases. Remove it after a few minutes and hang up your clothes for at least 20 minutes to dry them out.

Ironing board alternatives

If you're looking for a more permanent solution to your wrinkle problem, these methods have you covered.

Wrinkle remover spray. Many stores sell a wrinkle-releasing spray that you can use on your clothes. Alternatively, you can mix your own by using a water-vinegar solution.
Dryer to hanger. The best way to avoid wrinkles is to take your clothes out of the dry immediately when the cycle finishes and hang them up. For t-shirts and pants, neatly rolling them and storing them in your drawers will keep them from getting wrinkled.
Invest in an ironing pad. If your main objection to ironing is the board itself, many stores sell small, roll-up pads that you can put on top of most surfaces to do your ironing.
Garment steamer. The steam method has been perfected and mass-produced in the form of garment steamers. Simply hang up your clothes and run the steamer over them to release wrinkles.

About the Author

Roger Schneider

SCHNEIDER Real Estate, my family's business has been at the forefront of our area's Real Estate transactions for over 40 years! With experiences in the following areas; St. Charles, St. Louis, Lincoln, Warren, Jefferson County, I help both buyers and sellers meet their real estate objectives. I have extensive knowledge of each of the communities located in and around St. Charles, and I will work tirelessly on your behalf to make your next St. Peters home buying or OFallen home selling experience a pleasant and successful one.For sellers, it is my commitment to help sell your home or property in a timely fashion while helping you attain the highest possible price for your real estate. If you are interested in receiving a free home valuation, I encourage you to fill out my free home valuation form.For buyers looking for homes or other real estate opportunities here in St. Charles or other surrounding communities, I will work with you to find your ideal home. I will provide you with all of the necessary tools for finding the right property. From free access to search almost all St. Charles, St. Louis, Lincoln, Warren, Jefferson County area homes, to the ability to fill out My Dream Home Finder Form, everything I can possibly provide will be at your service. In addition, once we've narrowed down what you are looking for, we can begin the home showing process so you can get a closer look at the homes that should be a good fit. I help negotiate the best possible deal for my clients with each and every real estate transaction.Nothing satisfies me more than seeing the smiles that come with a successful real estate transaction. Thanks again for considering me as your Realtor.