An iron is a necessary household appliance, with the help of which a wrinkled item can be easily and quickly put in order. But what to do if you don’t have an iron at hand? Situations can be different, for example, you are visiting or on a trip, and there is no opportunity to use the iron. Let's look at some creative ways to iron clothes without an iron and still get a satisfactory result.
Alternative to a household appliance
Sometimes we urgently need to iron out an item - a blouse, shirt, jacket, socks, trousers, skirt. But here’s the problem – there is no iron nearby for quick and high-quality ironing. For such cases, several folk ways have been created to iron clothes without an iron and board. Use these tips to replace classic home ironing with an iron. Some of the methods are quite simple to use.
Ironing clothes or dresses becomes a difficult task if you don't have an iron at hand.Fortunately, there are several ways to iron things without using an iron. Before using any of these methods, you need to make sure that it is suitable for your specific fabric type. Also, do not forget about safety - be careful when using hot objects and prevent fire. By following these recommendations, you can quickly and easily iron things without an iron and get excellent results.
Hot iron mug
What can you use instead of an iron? One option is a hot iron mug. To do this, heat the mug on a stove or other heat source, then press a cloth onto it and walk over it several times. This method is suitable for small surfaces such as collars and cuffs.
Steam in the bathroom
Another way is to use steam. To do this, you can hang things in the bathroom and turn on the hot water. The steam from the water will help smooth the fabric.
This method is not suitable for all types of fabrics, as some may deteriorate from exposure to steam.
Self-smoothing solution
There is also a special solution for self-smoothing, which can be bought in the store in the household chemicals department. It should be applied to wrinkled items and left for just a few minutes. This solution will smooth out the fabric, and things will become neater and more attractive. Liquid iron is generally suitable for all types of fabrics, from cotton fabrics to polyester.
Stretching and pressing
Another way to iron without an iron is to stretch and press things. To do this, you need to smooth the fabric with your hands, and then stretch it and press it to the surface for several minutes. For example, pressing clothes on a smooth bathtub surface would be a convenient option.
It is worth considering that this method requires physical effort.
Wet towel
You can also use a wet towel to smooth out fabrics. To do this, wet the towel and apply it to the surface of the fabric, then go over it with any handy iron (a mug, a metal rolling pin, etc.). If you don’t have any objects at hand to use as an iron, you can try to gently stretch and smooth out the item with your hands.
Hair straightener
A hair straightener can also be used to smooth out fabrics. To do this, heat up the iron and apply it to the surface of the fabric, go over it several times. This is a convenient way to smooth out cotton items. It is also easier to make neat creases on trousers with an iron. Modern hair straighteners allow you to smooth out items even faster than regular models of classic irons.
How to smooth out with a hot light bulb
Another unusual method is to use a hot light bulb. To do this, turn on the light bulb, let it heat up and apply it to the surface of the fabric. Carefully go over the item several times with the hot light bulb to achieve the ironing effect.
Body heat
You can also use body heat to smooth out fabrics. For example, you can simply lie down on a wrinkled item and stay in this position for a few minutes. Of course, you should first smooth out the clothes with your hands and lie down on them so that they do not wrinkle even more.
Vinegar
Vinegar can also be used to smooth out fabrics. To do this, mix vinegar with regular water in a ratio of 1:3 and pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle. Then all that remains is to spray this ironing liquid onto the surface of the fabric.You will notice that your clothes are visibly ironed as they dry.
Kettle
Finally, you can use the kettle to smooth out fabrics. To do this, you need to heat the water in the kettle until it boils so that steam comes out of it. Next, you need to pull the item and hold it over the kettle, treating it with steam. The main thing is to be careful and not accidentally get burned.
Hairdryer
One way is to use a hair dryer. To do this, turn on the hair dryer at maximum power and direct the air flow to the surface of the fabric. Then you need to smooth the fabric with your hands or walk over it with a metal object. This method is suitable for smoothing small surfaces such as collars and cuffs.
Press
Another way is to use a press. To do this, you need to lay the item on a flat surface and walk over it with a metal object or a press. With some fabrics, this is one of the best ways to iron without an iron. There are also high-tech special presses for ironing clothes. They make ironing things even easier than using an iron.
Hair curlers
Hair curlers can also be used to straighten fabric. To do this, you need to heat the tongs and apply them to the surface of the fabric, walking over it several times. It is also convenient to use tongs to make creases on trousers and straighten out miniskirts and T-shirts.
Professional spray
There is a professional fabric smoothing spray that can be applied to items and left for a few minutes. The spray will smooth out the fabric and make it neater. Typically, the composition of the spray is the same as the smoothing solution that is sold in bottles.
Hanging
Another way is by hanging things. If you unfold an item and hang it on a hanger, gravity will smooth out the fabric.If you don't know how to iron a shirt without an iron, try leaving it on a hanger for a while. You can do the same with various skirts, trousers, dresses and so on.
Putting on
How can you iron a T-shirt without an iron? It’s elementary - after washing, put it on yourself and wait a few minutes until body heat smoothes the fabric. This option is suitable for those who are more or less tolerant of the cold, because wet clothes cool down and become cool.
Metal utensils
Metal utensils can also be used to iron fabrics. To do this, you need to heat the dishes on the stove and walk over the surface of the fabric. If you don’t know how to iron a shirt without an iron, take a closer look at this method. Be sure to ensure that there are no food residues left on the dishes. Otherwise, you will have to put the crumpled item back into the washing machine.
Fan
If you have a fan, you can use it to smooth things out. To do this, hang the wet item on a hanger and point a fan at it. The air flow will smooth the fabric. This is the easiest way to iron thin fabrics, such as a chiffon dress.
Buying clothes with optimal composition
It is worth including this preventive method in the methods of smoothing things out. To avoid problems with ironing, you can buy clothes with fabric compositions that do not require or are much easier to iron. For example, clothes made from natural materials such as natural cotton, polyester or linen are less likely to wrinkle and are easier to iron.
Setting up the washing machine
You can also set the washing machine to a more gentle cycle. This will prevent your clothes from wrinkling too much after washing.This simple method can eliminate the need for ironing. Some modern models of washing machines include an “easy iron” function - this mode uses much more water, and clothes are dried. After this, the clothes do not need to be ironed and dried - they are already ready to wear.
Steamer
A steamer is another way to iron things without an iron. It works on the principle of a steam jet and helps to gently smooth the fabric. This hand-held device allows you to put things in order in just a few seconds: refresh them and smooth them out. The steamer irons not only clothes, but also curtains, tulle and bed linen.
Dryer
Another way to iron without an iron. If you have a dryer, you can gently iron wet clothes by hanging them in the machine. As a rule, after this procedure, some things do not need additional smoothing. At the same time, dried clothes will be smoother and neater.
Maybe don't iron
Sometimes people forget that, in fact, things don’t always need to be ironed. For example, if these are sportswear or jeans, then you don’t have to iron them, but simply unroll them and hang them on a hanger. T-shirts, panties and socks do not require ironing every time. Linen is often ironed so that it dries faster, and not for the sake of smoothness.
To avoid wrinkles: tips on washing and care
To avoid a crumpled effect on things, you need to properly care for them. Do not overload the washing machine, use a more gentle wash cycle, and do not forget about bleach and fabric conditioners. You should also avoid storing things crumpled for long periods of time. In some cases, it is more convenient to buy things that do not require ironing.
Conclusion
We looked at several ways to straighten clothes without an iron - from using a hair dryer and a press to buying clothes with the optimal composition and setting up the washing machine. We also learned how to avoid pronounced creases on things so that you don’t have to waste time on ironing. Choose the best method for yourself and do not forget about proper care of things so that they are always neat and smooth.