Luxurious hotels, intimate restaurants, scenic backdrops … traveling often comes with an endless array of beautiful moments, which means you’ll need flawless outfits to match. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll have an opportunity to wear the nicest pieces in your wardrobe. Keeping them looking crisp and wrinkle-free, however, is a whole other story.
From being crammed in a suitcase for hours to lacking amenities in your accommodation, your favorite pieces will likely be more prone to wrinkles while you travel. But fear not, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can keep your clothes looking fresh no matter how far you roam.
Below we'll be sharing how to keep your clothes wrinkle-free while traveling, so you can look and feel your best throughout your trip. Let's dive in and make your next trip a wrinkle-free success!
Essential Tools For Keeping Your Clothes Wrinkle Free While Traveling
A lot of accommodations have basic garment care equipment, but it’s always best to take matters into your own hands in case they’re missing or don’t suit your needs.
Save some space in your suitcase for these groundbreaking garment care tools:
A Travel Steamer
A travel steamer will be a game-changer when it comes to keeping your clothes wrinkle-free on the road. Unlike traditional irons, travel steamers are compact and lightweight, making them the perfect tool to bring on your travels. Say goodbye to awkwardly setting up a board in the middle of your room. All you’ll need is the steamer itself, a hanger, and a hook or door frame to hang your garment!
Steamers work by releasing hot steam to relax the fibers of your clothing, which removes wrinkles and creases quickly and effectively. They’re also extremely versatile and can be used on a wide range of fabrics, including delicate materials like silk. With a travel steamer, you can easily freshen up your clothes even if you're on the road for weeks at a time. The steam also doubles as a cleanser, freeing your clothes from bacteria, dust, and unwanted odors. It’s a must-have if you’ll be traveling somewhere with limited washing amenities.
Garment Packing Folders
If you’ve never used a garment packing folder before, you’re in for a treat! These specially designed folders allow you to neatly pack your clothes while minimizing the amount of folding and creasing that occurs during transport. They provide a flat surface for your clothing items, preventing them from shifting, bunching, and ultimately wrinkling in your suitcase.
Concerned about excess weight or bulk? Don’t worry, they’re made of lightweight, durable materials that won't add unnecessary weight to your luggage. With a garment packing folder, you can pack your clothes efficiently, stay organized, and arrive at your destination looking your best.
Wrinkle Release Sprays
Free yourself from fashion woes with the push of a nozzle! Wrinkle release sprays will smooth out any wrinkles or creases that may have formed during transit. Simply spray the wrinkled area, gently tug on the fabric, and let it air dry.
Not only are these sprays effective, they're also incredibly convenient. They're small enough to fit in your carry-on (just make sure you’re choosing a bottle that’s less than 100mL!), and you can use them on the go. Plus, they’ll leave your clothes with a lovely fresh scent. With a wrinkle release spray in your arsenal, you'll never have to worry about creased or wrinkled clothes again.
How To Keep Clothes Looking Their Best While Traveling
Now that you know which tools you’ll need, you can focus on the actual clothes. Here’s how to make sure they stay smooth from your home to your final destination.
Choose Wrinkle Resistant Materials
When it comes to packing for travel, choosing the right fabrics can make all the difference. Certain fabrics are less prone to wrinkling due to their composition, such as nylon, polyester, lyocell, wool, and cashmere. Even blended versions are still much less prone to wrinkling than other fabrics!
Cashmere is one of our favorite choices for wrinkle-free travel. It’s ultra-soft, warm, and lightweight, making it the perfect coverup for air-conditioned plane cabins, cold destinations, or even evenings in warm locations. It’s also an extra luxurious fabric that will leave you looking stylish no matter where you are. Whether you’re traveling to Iceland or the Bahamas, we recommend investing in a versatile and wrinkle-resistant cashmere wrap that will keep you cozy and chic wherever you go. Use it as a makeshift blanket on the plane, or a poncho or scarf while sightseeing. Discover all the ways you can style it here!
Run The Shower To Generate Steam
Forgot your actual steamer or running behind schedule? You can recreate the effect of a steamer by running a hot shower. All you have to do is hang your wrinkled clothing in the bathroom (just make sure it's not touching any surfaces). Turn on the shower to the hottest temperature and let it run until the bathroom is filled with steam - you’re welcome to hop in too if you want to multitask! After the steam has done its work, remove your clothes from the bathroom and gently tug on the fabric to smooth out any remaining wrinkles.
Use A Hairdryer As An Iron
If you find yourself without a steamer or iron and have no time for a shower, you can remove wrinkles using a hairdryer. To do this, hang your wrinkled clothing on a hanger and use the hairdryer on a high heat setting. Hold the dryer about 6 inches away from the clothing and be careful not to hold it over one spot for too long to avoid damage. Gently tug and smooth out any wrinkles with your hand throughout the process, and voila! You’ll have a fresh and smooth garment.
Use Tissue Paper When Packing
Avoid wrinkles from the get-go by packing smart. Start by laying a sheet of tissue paper flat over the garment. Then, carefully fold the garment around the tissue paper, making sure to align the edges and smooth out any air pockets. Once folded, you can add extra layers of tissue paper to areas that are particularly prone to wrinkles, like the sleeves or collar. The tissue paper acts as a barrier between the layers of fabric, preventing them from rubbing against each other and forming wrinkles. When you arrive at your destination, simply remove the tissue paper and your clothes should be relatively wrinkle-free. This method is particularly useful for delicate fabrics, such as silk or chiffon.
More Tips For Keeping Clothes Wrinkle Free While Traveling
Hang Clothes Immediately After Washing
This helps them keep their shape and prevents wrinkles from setting in.
Iron With Care
If you prefer to use an iron, be sure to set it to the appropriate temperature for the fabric. Iron in a back-and-forth motion, and be careful not to leave the iron in one spot for too long to avoid burns.
Fold Clothes Properly
Your folding technique can significantly reduce wrinkles. Fold along the natural lines of the garment and avoid folding too tightly or cramming too many items into a suitcase, compartment or drawer.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these wrinkle free travel tips! With the right tools and fabrics, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth and beautiful clothing anywhere you go.
