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Packing can be a hassle, especially when you arrive at your destination with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes. Before you pack for your next trip, check out these nine helpful tips to keep your clothes wrinkle-free!

 


How to Pack Clothes Without Wrinkles


 

 

Table Of Contents

 

 

There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with a hotel room’s ironing board, not to mention the risk of burning or staining your clothes. Whether you’re heading out on vacation or traveling for business, arriving at your destination with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes can be a real hassle.

Keep your travels smooth and care free with our favorite tips and tricks for wrinkle-free packing, saving you time and sparing you from the need to iron.

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

J.Jill Wearever Black Slim-Leg Pants
Sizes: XS-4X Regular | XS-XL Petite | S-XL Tall

 

Choose Fabrics That Don’t Wrinkle Easily

 

Where should you start when determining how to pack your clothes without wrinkles? Begin by choosing fabrics that resist wrinkling. For a complete guide on the best travel fabrics, check out our full guide here. In general, clothes with a bit of stretch or knit fabrics tend to wrinkle less.

Chances are, many of the clothes you already own will work well for travel without needing to buy new items. Try scrunching the fabric and doing a practice packing run to see how they hold up to wrinkles.

One of the biggest advantages of travel clothing brands is that they tend to use wrinkle-resistant fabrics, making your packing even easier.

 

For specific items to add to your travel wardrobe, check out these readers’ favorites:

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Eagle Creek Pack-It Garment Folder

 

Packing Folders

 

Packing folders are a little known tip for how to pack clothes without wrinkles. No matter where you’re traveling, a lightweight packing folder will help keep your delicate tops, dresses and pants free from looking like a crumpled mess. Options like these are particularly useful for button-up shirts for business trips.

An 18-inch packing folder can fit 8 to 12 garments, helping you fit many of your items in one organizer. You can use packing cubes for underwear and clothes that don’t wrinkle easily.

The briefcase-like design keeps everything concealed and stored neatly. To make sure your clothes are packed tidily, button up all tops and pants and lay them face down on a flat surface to smooth away wrinkles before packing. Packing folders tend to include a folding board and pictures so you know what you’ve packed.

 

 

best-wrinkle-release-spray

Shop: Dillards

 

Use an Easy Wrinkle-Free Spritz

 

A wrinkle release spray is extremely convenient to carry with you to keep your clothes wrinkle-free when traveling and looking fresh. Forget fussing with iron and instead, keep a travel-sized version of deCrease Wrinkle Release Spray in your purse or carry-on luggage for ease of use.

One reader suggests you can make your own wrinkle release spray two caps of fabric softener and one of white vinegar and fill up a small spray bottle with water freshen clothes and release wrinkles.

Another reader recommends spraying it an hour before wearing it and then hanging it in the shower so the steam can remove wrinkles.

 

These are our readers top recommendations for wrinkle release sprays!

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Away Foldable Garment Bag

 

Garments Bags

 

Similar to packing folders, garment bags allow you to pack all your clothing together and then fold it once. I used to travel with these for business conferences and trade shows. I’d plan my outfits and hang them together in my closet. All I had to do was grab them all together, place them in the garment bag, zip it up, and fold the bag once it was in my suitcase.

Because you only fold once or twice and keep everything in place securely within the garment bag, you avoid creases and wrinkles. As a bonus, it is super easy to unpack! Since most of the clothing is already on a hanger, it was easy to hang up everything in the hotel room. If anything gets wrinkled, it will be easier and less time-consuming to iron or steam.

For problematic clothes, consider paying to have your delicate items pressed at the hotel. Paying for one or two pieces saves you time and stress.

 

Tip: Pack these delicate items last so other items don’t squish them. Also, double-up clothes on hangers to save space and weight.

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Brabantia Laundry Folding Board

 

Bundle Wrap Clothes

 

The bundle wrap method is another popular tip for how to pack clothes without wrinkles. The concept is the same as the packing folder and garment bags but you place the clothes directly inside a suitcase. This method works particularly work for bulkier items that may take up too much space for packing organizers.

The downside is that you have to unpack all your clothes every time so this is not ideal if you’re on a fast paced trip and will only be staying in hotels one or two nights.

You can also use a folding board within the clothing to keep everything secure.

 

You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Cindus Tissue Wrap

 

Adding Tissue in Between Folds

 

If you prefer to fold clothing the traditional way, add a piece of tissue paper in between the folds to avoid creases. Take your time folding, and use a hard, smooth surface to smooth out wrinkles as you go.

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Conair ExtremeSteam Dual Voltage Steamer: Kohls | Macy’s

 

Pack a Handheld Steamer

 

The quickest way to instantly freshen your clothes is with a travel-sized handheld steamer. They’re a must if you’re traveling for business, as you can use them on suits, blouses, shirts, or delicate dresses.

With steamers, you can use the continuous steam function, which smooths even the toughest of wrinkles in a matter of seconds. Hang up your clothes and steam them without worrying about burning or damaging any of your items. If you’re ever wondering how to avoid wrinkled clothes when traveling, a handheld steamer is a sure bet!

You might also be able to hold the hotel’s iron upright and press the steam button to make it work like a clothing steamer. However, the quality of irons varies in hotel rooms so you may not want to depend on this if you want zero wrinkles.

Alternatively, a reader suggests to buy a pressing cloth, and carry that with you. If you have any stubborn wrinkles, you can use the pressing cloth between your clothes and the iron to press them out without burning your clothes. A magazine or newspaper rolled into a tube makes a great “sleeve board” if your jacket sleeves wrinkle.

 

These are the best travel steamers that are portable and packable! 

 

 

portable-clothes-line

Sea to Summit Lite Line Travel Clothesline

 

Unpack in the Shower

 

While this method sounds silly, a hot shower is one of the best solutions for releasing stubborn wrinkles. If you want to quickly steam your clothes without using a steamer, hang them in the bathroom during a hot shower and watch the wrinkles in your clothing fall in just a few minutes. By the time you’re done getting ready after your shower, your clothes will be smooth and fresh!

Likewise, if traveling to a tropical, humid destination, hang up your clothes once you arrive and the humidity will help “iron” them and loosen wrinkles.

One of our readers recommends you bring your own slim hanger and/or clothespins, so you can hang clothes in the bathroom and turn on the hot water to steam them. There’s no guarantee the hotel hangers can be removed from the closet.

 

If your accommodation doesn’t have a dryer, take a look at these portable travel clothes lines that are all very packable!

 

 

how-to-avoid-wrinkled-clothes

Sprayco Sprayer Bottle

 

Dampen Your Clothing Overnight

 

Similar to using a wrinkle release spray, this DIY method is perfect for when you’re in a pinch. Just use a spray bottle or a damp towel and lay your wrinkled clothes on a flat surface.

Take a warm damp towel and press it on top of your outfit. Spritz water on your clothes and hang it before you head to bed. The wrinkles will be long gone by the time you wake up!

 

Tired of packing too many things? Read this helpful guide to stop overpacking!

 

 


Even if you try to neatly organize your clothes, chances are your bag is going to get tossed around during air travel. These tips will end wrinkles as easy as possible!

What are your best tips on how to pack clothes without wrinkles? Comment below!


 

For more packing tips, please read:

 


 

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