How to get wrinkles out of curtains without an iron?

You can get rid of wrinkles and creases quickly and effectively by using a steam iron, a handheld steamer, a wrinkle-releasing spray, or even by hanging the curtains in a steamy room. Alternatively, you can place the curtains in the dryer along with a damp cloth or a towel and let the dryer run for about 30 minutes on medium heat settings.

Key takeaways

  • The simplest method for removing wrinkles and creases from a curtain is to place it in the dryer with a damp towel or cloth and run the dryer for about 30 minutes on medium heat.
  • If you don’t like to use dryers, you can make use of fabric steamers, bath steam, hair dryers, or wrinkle-removing sprays.
  • If you don’t have access to dryers or any appliances, you can simply hang the curtains after washing, rest will be taken care of by gravity and the weight of the curtain.

Let’s take a quick look below at the different methods that can be used to get rid of wrinkles from curtains.

Hang after washing

If you are trying to remove wrinkles from the surface of the curtains after washing them, then simply hang them in a damp state in their designated places.

Curtains are less likely to develop wrinkles if they are hung immediately after washing.

The weight of the damp curtains in a hanging position is sufficient to prevent wrinkles.

Just make sure to spread the curtains evenly as they air dry.

Wrinkle-release spray

A wrinkle release spray is a fabric treatment solution that helps to remove wrinkles from clothing including curtains and tablecloths.

Most wrinkle-release sprays are suitable for both natural and synthetic fabrics and work by temporarily relaxing the fibers.

It usually comes in an aerosol can and is sprayed onto the fabric.

You can simply buy one online or through the local fabric care stores.

To remove wrinkles, the spray’s chemically processed solution works by relaxing the fabric’s fibers.

Therefore, wrinkle-release sprays are a quick and easy way to remove wrinkles from curtains without having to iron them.

Here’s how you can use the wrinkle-removing spray effectively.

Step 1: Brush off the dirt from the curtains

Before using the solution on your curtains, make sure they are clean, dust free, and dry.

Wrinkle release spray works best on freshly laundered items, i.e., freshly washed and dried items.

So, if you want to use it on curtains that have not been washed recently, make sure to brush off the dirt from the surface of the curtains.

Step 2: Read the instructions on the pack

Look at the instructions on the package before using it, and make sure to shake the bottle well before application.

Doing this will help ensure that the formula is well mixed inside the can and gets evenly distributed when you spray it on your clothes.

Step 3: Spray over the curtains

Be very careful when you spray it over the fabrics, and make sure the curtains are hung evenly.

Next, hold the wrinkle-release spray bottle a few inches away from the curtain and spray evenly over the wrinkled area.

Avoid spraying too much in a particular spot, as this can cause the surface to be wet and may damage the fabric.

Step 4: Let the solution settle

Leave the curtains alone for a few minutes so the wrinkle-free spray can work its magic.

In just a few minutes, you should see the wrinkles on your curtains relax and disappear.

However, for stubborn wrinkles, you can smooth them out with your hands and let them dry in the hanging position.

A Handheld steamer

Vacuum the curtains to remove excess dust from their surface before using the steamer to remove wrinkles.

It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a handheld steamer over curtains.

If you are not sure about the fabric material, always test the steamer on a small area first to make sure it does not damage the fabric.

Start by hanging your curtains on a clothesline or rod, additionally, you can also hang your curtains over the shower rod.

Turn the steamer on a low heat setting and hold the steamer head or nozzle a few inches away from the surface of the curtain.

Work the steamer head back and forth until all the areas are covered.

For best results, keep the steamer moving to avoid burning the fabric, especially if it is made from delicate materials.

When you’re finished steaming, let the curtains cool down and the air dry completely.

Hair dryer

To use a hair dryer, you can leave the curtains hanging in their place, or if you would like,e lay them flat on the floor or over a carpet.

Next, flatten some of the wrinkles with your hands, and if the curtains are in the hanging position, you can hold them from both ends and slightly stretch the wrinkled surface.

Now, dampen the wrinkled area with water. You can do this by filling a spray bottle with water and gently spraying it over the wrinkled area.

Then, set the hair dryer to a low heat setting and keep the blower set to the minimum level.

Turn the dryer on and start blowing over the wrinkled surface of the curtain, and you will see the wrinkles smoothing out.

Do not overuse the hairdryer in one fixed spot, and also avoid overusing the hairdryer.

Bath Steam

Bathing in steam is another smart way of eliminating wrinkles from the curtain. This is because the steam from the shower will penetrate the fabric and help to smooth out any wrinkles.

Just hang your curtains in the bathroom and make sure the room is as steamy as possible by running a hot shower or using simple steam.

Next, close the bathroom door and let the steam work its magic by penetrating deep into the fabric for about 10 minutes.

Once the wrinkles are gone, take your curtains out and let them dry evenly.

Clothes dryer

Another way to remove wrinkles from curtains is to put them in your clothes dryer after washing.

In case you want to load them into the dryer without washing them or if they are completely dry make sure to include a few damp towels or cloth.

The moisture released from the damp towels during the dry cycle will help relax the fibers in the curtain and help smooth out wrinkles.

Just make sure to remove and hang the curtains on their respective rods right after the dry cycle completes.

Take it to a dry cleaner

If your curtains have attracted stains and also have lots of wrinkles and creases, you can take them to a professional dry cleaner for cleaning and pressing.

A dry cleaner can remove wrinkles from curtains by using professional steam-pressing equipment.

The curtains are placed on a press and steam is applied to the fabric, which helps to relax the fibers and smooth out any wrinkles

How to get wrinkles out of new polyester curtains without iron?

To remove wrinkles from a polyester curtain using steam, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Hang the curtains

Hanging the curtains back up on the rod can help remove some of the wrinkles by gravity. If the curtains are too wrinkled to hang, lay them flat on a clean surface, such as a bed or the floor.

Step 2: Fill a steamer or a pot with water

Fill the steamer or pot with water and bring it to a boil. The steam generated from the boiling water will help remove the wrinkles from the curtains.

Step 3: Hold the steamer or pot a few inches away from the curtains

Hold the steamer or pot a few inches away from the curtain and slowly move it back and forth across the fabric.

Make sure to keep the steamer or pot in constant motion so that the heat is distributed evenly across the fabric.

Step 4: Steam the entire curtain

Steam the entire curtain, paying special attention to the wrinkled areas.

Hold the steamer or pot in each section for about 30 seconds before moving on to the next section.

Step 5: Smooth out the curtains

After steaming, gently smooth out the curtains with your hands.

If necessary, repeat the steaming process until the wrinkles have been removed.

Final Thoughts

There are various methods to eliminate wrinkles and creases from curtains. However, the right method to remove wrinkles depends on the fabric type and the instructions on the care label.

While most curtains are made of sturdy fabric, there is still a possibility that the fabric could become weaker during the cleaning or wrinkle-removal process, particularly if the curtains are made of delicate fabrics.

Therefore, take extra care when attempting to remove wrinkles from curtains because some may tolerate the heat while others may not.

In general, methods such as hanging post-wash or using wrinkle-removing spray are considered to be the safest as they do not involve direct heat.

Manish Singh is an expert in electrical engineering with a Diploma in the field. With over 12 years of experience, he specializes in repairing music systems, washing machines, dryers, and other laundry-related appliances. His in-depth knowledge in electrical repairs and decent knowledge about garment care makes him a trusted authority in the field of appliance repair and laundry related topics. If you have any questions or need assistance with your appliances, you can reach out to Manish through email: manish.singh (at) portablelaundry.com