Buzz
There’s nothing worse than opening your suitcase only to find your clothes are all wrinkled! Luckily, you can avoid this hassle with a few simple tricks. Consider using packing folders, garment bags, or even tissue paper to protect your clothes from wrinkles. Additionally, bringing along a travel steamer or wrinkle-releasing spray can help smooth things out quickly while you're on the go.
How to Keep Your Clothes Wrinkle-Free
Properly Folding Clothes to Prevent Wrinkles
Use Packing Folders to Prevent Clothes from Getting Wrinkled. Packing folders are compact, briefcase-style bags that help keep your clothes neatly folded and free from creases. A standard 18-inch (46 cm) packing folder can hold 8-12 garments, including delicate shirts, dresses, and pants. Simply fold your clothes as usual, stack them neatly, and close the folder to compress them. This will keep your clothes looking fresh during your travels.
- Packing folders are slim enough to fit into most suitcases, so try to include them in your luggage if possible.
- You can easily purchase packing folders online.
Tip: To make sure your clothes stay wrinkle-free, button up your shirts and pants. Lay them face down on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles with your hands before packing them into your suitcase.
Use Garment Bags for One-Time Folding Garment bags are incredibly useful for packing because they allow you to hang your clothes, zip them up in the bag, and simply fold the bag to fit your suitcase. This minimizes folding and prevents wrinkles. Plus, garment bags are easy to unpack once you reach your destination.
- However, a downside is that garment bags are often too large for carry-on luggage. The typical width is around 22 inches (56 cm), which makes them too long for most carry-on suitcases. If you're looking to avoid checked baggage, a packing folder might be a better option.
EXPERT ADVICE
Ashley Moon, MA
Professional Organizer
Professional Organizer
Should you roll or fold clothes to avoid wrinkles? Typically, folding works best for T-shirts, especially if you have many of them. Stack them neatly like files, so you can easily see your options. For stretchy clothes like leggings, it's better to roll them, as they can be stacked without issue.
Bundle your clothes to fit bulky items in your suitcase. While this method can be time-consuming, it’s excellent for preventing wrinkles. Start by rolling two pairs of socks into a shirt, placing them in the center to create a ‘core’. Then, lay a long-sleeve shirt face down with its arms spread out. Place another shirt on top, facing the opposite way, overlapping the sleeves. Continue with heavier items like jackets and shirts, placing them over the base layer. Finally, lay your pants horizontally and stack shirts and shorts vertically, wrapping everything around the core.
- Remember, overpacking will spoil the method, so stick to the essentials.
- This method might not be ideal if you’re in a hurry or going on a short trip, as it requires unpacking every item.
Use tissue paper to fold clothes and prevent wrinkles. Place tissue paper inside the sleeves of long-sleeve shirts and jackets before folding them. Then, line your suitcase with tissue paper and place additional layers of paper between the folded clothes.
- The tissue paper helps reduce wrinkles by minimizing friction against the fabric with its smooth texture.
Wrap your clothes in plastic to keep them separated. Like tissue paper, plastic wrap helps prevent wrinkles by reducing friction between clothes. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap across the length and width of your suitcase to separate clothing layers. For freshly dry-cleaned items, leave them in their plastic and pack them without unwrapping.
- Use plastic zippered bags for shoes and toiletries to keep them apart from clothes, which also reduces the chance of damage when flying.
How to Remove Wrinkles from Packed Clothes
Choose fabrics that resist wrinkles. Clothes with a bit of stretch tend to wrinkle less. To test your fabrics, give them a quick scrunch, pack them in a suitcase for a few hours, and check how well they resist wrinkles.
- Some clothing brands specialize in wrinkle-resistant fabrics designed for travel. However, keep in mind that many of these fabrics cannot be steamed or ironed if they do get wrinkled.
Fabrics That Are Less Likely to Wrinkle:
Wool
Fleece
Polyester
Nylon
Rayon
Linen
Silk
Bring a wrinkle-releasing spray for fresh clothes on the go. Travel-sized wrinkle sprays are TSA-approved and fit easily in your carry-on. These sprays help release wrinkles and eliminate odors. After unpacking, lightly spray your clothes and allow them to sit for 20 minutes before wearing.
- These sprays are available at most drugstores or department stores, and you can also order them online.
Pack a portable steamer for instant wrinkle removal. Hand-held steamers are great for suits, blouses, and delicate fabrics. They’re small enough to fit in your carry-on and work quickly to smooth out wrinkles. When you unpack, hang your clothes and steam them by moving the device up and down 2-3 times. Keep the steamer at least 5 inches (13 cm) from the fabric to avoid damage.
- A hand-held steamer is ideal for travel, especially since hotel irons can vary greatly in quality. With a steamer, you’ll always get consistent results.
Use your shower steam to get rid of wrinkles. If you don’t have a steamer or wrinkle spray available, hang your clothes in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam will naturally smooth out the wrinkles.
- If you're in a humid, tropical area, hanging clothes outside in the humidity can help, too. Just ensure the weather will cooperate for the next few hours before using this method!
Pack light to give your clothes space to breathe. Only bring the essentials when packing. Overpacking not only increases the chance of wrinkles and creases, but it can also cause your clothes to develop unpleasant odors if left cramped in a suitcase for too long.
- A good rule of thumb: bundle wrapping. If you can’t wrap your clothes into a bundle that fits comfortably in your suitcase, you've packed too much.
