How to Get Wrinkles Out of Polyester

Polyester is one of the most commonly used fabrics in manufacturing clothing products all over the world. Though it is less likely to crease, polyester does wrinkle over time or when exposed to various specific conditions. 

However, the main concern for many is how to get wrinkles out of polyester, as this fabric has a poor tolerance for heat.

If this is one of your worries, we have solutions for you! By the end of this post, you’ll learn several methods to safely iron out the wrinkles on your polyester suits, shirts, tablecloths, curtains, etc, without damaging your fabric. 

Polyester is a synthetic fabric(man-made). It is created through a process called polymerization. This is where chemicals from petroleum including ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are heated to form long chain-like structures known as polymers. These polymers are stretched to fine filaments and they are sewn into a fabric by weaving or knitting. 

Polyester fabric is popular because It does not shrink or stretch, it is highly resistant to sunlight and chemicals, and dries quickly due to its highly permeability. However, polyester tends to wrinkle overtime. 

It does not have as great a breathability like other organic fabrics such as cotton, and hence feels less comfortable during hot weather. Additionally, It is less environmentally sustainable since it is manufactured from non-renewable materials and may also take a fairly long time to biodegrade.

Polyester fibers are sensitive to heat. They easily wrinkle and shrink or stretch during washing. The wrinkle issue is even worse if the fabric is tightly twisted or if it is under compression like sitting on any polyester material. That is why it is important to know the right technique of ironing polyester as far as the appearance of your outfit is concerned.

Removing wrinkles from polyester can be challenging since it’s a synthetic fabric that can be damaged by high heat. However, we’ve got five easy methods with simple steps to help you safely smooth out those wrinkles.

One effective way to remove wrinkles from the polyester is by using a clothes steamer. This tool works by blowing steam into the fabric, the steam relaxes the fibers therefore removing the wrinkles without having to come into direct contact with heat. To use a steamer efficiently follow these steps.

Choose a well- ventilated room, like a bathroom with a fan or near an open window. Then hang your polyester garment on a hanger that properly supports the shape of your piece, letting it hang loosely. Fill the steamer water according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but do not overfill it. Plug in the steamer and to a power wait for it to heat up , which may be indicated by a light or sound.

Once the steamer is ready, hold the nozzle about an inch away from the fabric, to avoid direct contact. Move the steamer in smooth, vertical strokes from the top of the garment downward. The steam will penetrate into the fibers, making it relax hence reducing the wrinkles.

For stubborn wrinkles use one hand to pull the fabric tightly and then steam it with the other hand. This will allow the steam to penetrate better into the fabric removing the wrinkles effectively. When steaming, glide the steamer back and forth in a smooth and gentle manner, keeping the fabric taut but not overstretched. 

After steaming, let the garment hang for a few minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate. This helps the polyester to dry up properly without forming any new wrinkles. Once it’s dry, give the garment a shake leaving it wrinkle free and ready to either be worn or stored.

Another way to remove wrinkles from polyester is by ironing. However, ironing is a bit tricky since the fabric can easily get damaged through burning or attaining an ugly shine when exposed to high temperatures. If you choose to iron the polyester follow these steps for the best results.

Set your iron to a low temperature, usually labeled “polyester” or “synthetic”. This prevents the fabric from overheating and gets damaged.

Lay your polyester wear flat on the ironing board. To protect the fabric, put a clean, damp pressing cloth, preferably a thin towel or any cotton cloth over the garment. The pressing cloth acts as a barrier preventing the iron from direct contact with the polyester.

Press the iron firmly on the cloth, moving it back and forth to smooth the fabric. Gradually move from one part of the garment to the other without leaving the iron on a particular area for a long time to prevent the fabric from getting burnt.

After ironing let the garment cool for some time before wearing or storing it. This allows the fabric wrinkle-free , keeping it smooth and crease free.

If you don’t have a steamer or iron, you can use a dryer with a damp towel as an alternative to remove wrinkles from your polyester. This method involves the use of heat and moisture making the fabric fibers more pliable hence ironing out the wrinkles. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it successfully.

First, put your wrinkled polyester clothing into the dryer. Next, use a clean towel and wet it with water but it should not drip wet. Place it in the dryer together with the garment. This setup ensures the towel absorbs the water and create steam within the dryer that will have the effect of ironing out the creases in the garment.

Using the heat press guide, set your dryer to low heat or air dry to protect the fabric from damage when exposed to high heat. Let the dryer heat for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 

Once the drying cycle is complete, remove the garment from the dryer immediately. This step is crucial to prevent new wrinkles from forming.

Once you have taken the garment from the dryer, you should gently shake it, this helps to remove the creases that may still exist.

The shower steam method is easy and does not require any equipment, and is perfect when one does not have a steamer or iron. This technique involves the use of steam from hot shower in order to soften the fabric,therefore removing wrinkles. Here’s how to use this method effectively:

Hang the garment on the hanger and put it in the bathroom but not directly under the shower. Then turn the shower at its highest temperature leaving the bathroom door closed to enhance the effect of the steam. This method enables the buildup of the steam that effectively executes its task on the fabric in a gentle manner.

Keep the shower with the garment hanging in the bathroom for 15-20 minutes. This will let the steam penetrate into the polyester fabric, relaxing the fibers and making it easier to remove the wrinkles. 

When the time's up, remove the garment from the bathroom then shake it gently. This helps to iron out the remaining wrinkles,smoothing the fabric.

Hang the garment for a while to let it dry up from water droplets. This helps to prevent new wrinkles, giving the fabric a chance to relax resulting in a wrinkle free surface.

Wrinkle-release spray is an effective method in reduction of wrinkles on polyester without the use of heat. The spray relaxes the fabric fiber, making it easier to iron out the wrinkles. However, it's important to note that the effects are temporary, wrinkles may reappear after the garment is washed or even after sitting for a while. Although wrinkle-release sprays are effective, they are best suited for minor touch ups and are by no means a replacement for ironing or steaming.

So, if you intend to use wrinkle-release spray, here’s how to use it effectively.

Pace the polyester garment on a flat surface or on a good quality hanger such as a padded hanger. Make sure that the garment is placed close to your reach so that you will be able to iron all the wrinkle-prone parts. This will enable you to apply the spray in correct angles and reach the required places.

Hold the bottle about 6 to 8 inches from the fabric. Spray the parts of the garment having wrinkles with the wrinkle-release spray but do it lightly. Ensure that the wrinkles are entirely covered but do not over wet the fabric because this may lead to formation of blotches or the fabric will be wet.

After applying the spray, use your hands and gently rub while pulling the garment to enhance the elimination of wrinkles from the fabric. 

Allow the garment to dry for a while before wearing it or storing it. When drying, make sure the garment is hung or laid flat on a clean surface with proper aeration to dry up very fast.

It is usually easier to prevent the formation of wrinkles on polyester than to iron them out when they are already set. Use the following checklist to avoid wrinkle formation.

When it comes to removing wrinkles on polyester material, one has to ensure that the course to be followed does not contribute to damaging this fabric, for instance, through the application of high heat. It is possible to steam, iron the leather on low settings with a cloth laid on it, dry it with a damp towel on a dryer, or use shower steam to remove the wrinkles without harming the material.

For those who do not find the time or effort to iron their clothes, wrinkle-release sprays are a solution, although slightly temporary; whereas, to avoid such occurrences in the first place, it is advised that polyester garments be hung immediately after washing. With the right choice of method, therefore, it becomes possible to wear polyester clothes without having to iron them constantly.