Polyester is a synthetic fabric that requires special care. One thing to keep in mind is that the nature of this fabric is easy to wrinkle and is not resistant to heat, making wrinkle marks more difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove creases from polyester fabrics without damaging the material, such as washing and drying them, ironing them on low heat, or steaming them remotely. Once the fabric is wrinkle-free, hang it or stretch it to cool before you do anything else.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Washing and Drying the Fabric
Step 1. Check the care instructions on the label of the item you want to wash
The recommended wash cycle and water temperature differ for pure polyester fabrics and polyester blended fabrics. Delicate fabrics, such as polyester and silk blends may require a cold or warm wash cycle.
- If you're not sure, wash the fabric in cold or warm water using the permanent press cycle. Never use hot water to wash polyester as this can damage the material.
- The care label also indicates whether you can iron an item. This is something you need to know if washing and drying fabrics can't remove creases.
Step 2. Add detergent and fabric softener to the washing machine
Mild detergents are safer for items to be washed, especially items made of delicate fabric blends. Also, add a little fabric softener to the washing machine. This will help reduce static electricity once the fabric dries.
Polyester is known to produce a lot of static electricity so the use of fabric softener is highly recommended
Step 3. Start washing and remove the item being washed after the cycle is over
Press the start button on the washing machine after adding detergent and fabric softener. Wait for the wash cycle to end and transfer the wet polyester from the washer to the dryer. Otherwise, polyester items will turn out to be more wrinkled.
Step 4. Dry the polyester with a permanent press cycle for 15 to 20 minutes
Use dryer sheets to help reduce static electricity, if desired. After that, use low heat and run the engine for a maximum of 20 minutes. The heat and time should be sufficient to dry the fabric. You can dry it longer if needed, but be sure to check every 5 minutes after putting it in for 20 minutes.
If your dryer is not equipped with a permanent press cycle, you can choose the lowest heat option
Warning: Never dry polyester items on high heat or in the dryer for too long. Polyester cannot withstand high heat.
Step 5. Hang the item as soon as it dries to prevent tangling
Leaving polyester items in the dryer can trigger new creases or even permanent creases. Remove the cloth from the dryer as soon as possible and place it on a hanger to dry. Leave the item for at least 5 minutes or as long as needed until the cloth is completely dry.
Once the fabric is cool to the touch, you can safely fold the fabric without creasing it
In a hurry?
Place the polyester item in the dryer with a wet towel and dryer sheet, then use a low tumble dry cycle for 10 minutes. Immediately remove the cloth and spread it or hang it to cool.
Method 2 of 3: Using an Iron
Step 1. Turn on the iron on the lowest heat
Polyester fabric is not resistant to high temperatures. So, do not increase the temperature of the iron to the maximum number. Set it to a low temperature or turn it on to a special setting for synthetic fabrics or polyester fabrics, if applicable.
Check your iron's manual if you don't know which setting works best for polyester items
Step 2. Spray water on the item to be ironed to moisten the fabric
Fill a spray bottle with tap water, then spray it onto the surface of the polyester fabric to dampen it. If you don't have a sprayer, hold the object under running water and squeeze out the excess water.
Make sure the object does not drip water when ironing. If necessary, hang the item first and let it dry a bit before ironing
Step 3. Turn the fabric inside out and spread it out on the ironing board
Gently stretch it out by hand to ensure the fabric stretches out perfectly. Smooth the creases in the fabric with your hands so that they are completely flat.
- If you don't have an ironing board, fold a towel in half and place it on a table, countertop, or mattress. After that, place the polyester cloth on the towel.
- Turning the fabric inside out will help prevent damage that occurs when the fabric is exposed to excessive heat.
Step 4. Cover the cloth with a light towel or T-shirt
Make sure the towel or t-shirt you are using is clean and dry. Place a cloth or towel on top of the polyester object. This will help protect the item from damage from the heat of the iron.
Step 5. Smooth the fabric by ironing the surface of the towel or t-shirt on low heat
Press the hot iron against the surface of a towel or t-shirt and rub to smooth it out. Keep moving the iron back and forth over the fabric 2-3 times.
Warning: Be careful and do not leave the iron on one spot for more than 10 seconds as this may damage the fabric.
Step 6. Hang the item or let it sit on the ironing board to dry for 5 minutes
Do not immediately fold or put on the item because it can cause new wrinkles. However, place the item on a hanger or leave it on the ironing board to dry. After that, don't touch it until it's completely cold. Check the fabric to make sure it is cool before folding or putting it back on.
Method 3 of 3: Steaming the Tangled Parts
Step 1. Fill the iron tube with water and turn on the evaporation setting
Check the manufacturer's instructions to determine the amount of water to add and find out the duration of heating. Usually, 10-15 minutes is sufficient time to heat up the iron and generate steam.
You can also use a handheld vaporizer, if you have one. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to find out the amount of water that can be put in the tube and the heating time
Step 2. Turn the polyester fabric inside out and place it on the ironing board
While the iron is heating, prepare the cloth on the ironing board. Turn the inside out so you don't damage the outside of the fabric. After that, smooth the fabric over the ironing board as best you can.
If you don't have an ironing board, fold a towel in half and place it on a table, countertop, or mattress. Then, lay the polyester fabric on it. Make sure you don't use colored towels if the fabric you're ironing is a light or pastel color
Tip: If you're steaming the curtains, it's a good idea to leave the fabric in place and steam while it's still hanging. The weight of the curtains will help remove any creases on the surface.
Step 3. Move the iron up and down with a slightly floating position from the object being rubbed
Once the iron is steaming, hold it and position it about 5 - 8 cm above the polyester object. Move the iron up and down the wrinkled area to smooth it out. Tuck in the ends of the item as gently as possible to help tidy up any tangles.
Be careful not to let the steam hit your skin! The steam is so hot that it can burn the skin
Step 4. Hang the item or leave it on the ironing board for 5 minutes to cool
When you're done steaming all the creases, transfer the item to a hanger or leave it on the ironing board. Allow the polyester to cool for 5 minutes. Do not try to wear or fold the item until it is completely cool to avoid creating new creases.
Touch the cloth after 5 minutes to make sure it is cool. When it's cold, you can put it on or fold it up for storage
In a hurry?
Spray the item with a mixture of 240 ml of water and 5 ml of fabric softener. After that, hang the cloth in the bathroom and take a shower. The steam from the shower will help remove the tangles. Place the cloth in the dryer for a few minutes if it's still damp after you shower.
