Using a crease release spray to freshen up a shirt or dress that has become lightly wrinkled is an alternative to ironing again from scratch. Light misting followed by gentle to moderate hand precision on a flat and level surface is typically sufficient to remove small wrinkles. For deeper wrinkles and sharp creases suitable for formal occasions, an iron will do a better job.
Why would you need a crease release spray?
The idea is that having a spray to hand at home allows you to quickly refresh a shirt or dress if you notice that it has suffered a few light wrinkles since it was originally ironed. A spray is therefore a shortcut in certain situations, as opposed to a direct replacement. For example, you might find a spray is useful when you are getting ready for work, but you would generally prefer your iron when working through an entire basket of laundry.
A portable alternative to an iron when travelling
For those who travel regularly for work, an anti-crease spray offers an alternative to the hotel’s in-room ironing set-up and on-premises laundry services. Being able to quickly mist and brush down a shirt with your hand before leaving it to dry may prove helpful. Having a travel-size bottle kept in a washbag or travel bag could help to freshen up your attire when you have been flying, attending meetings, and been busy networking.
How to use a crease release spray
A crease release spray is designed to be easy to use when you follow these key steps:
- Check the label of the garment you want to smooth and check the spray manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure that the spray won’t cause spotting on the fabric
- Hang the garment using a hanger and pull it taut at the bottom, or lie it flat on a countertop or dining table
- Lightly spray over the problem areas from a distance of around a couple of feet (check manufacturer’s recommendations) while avoiding saturating the fabric
- Brush from top to bottom with your hand while applying moderate pressure, and you should see the wrinkles begin to smooth out
- Hang the garment to air dry, and if it is your first time using such a spray, check that the garment is dry to the touch before wearing
How do these types of sprays work?
A crease releaser is a combination of water, silicone, and proprietary softening agents that relax fabric fibres and allow them to slip and slide past one another. The reduction in friction between neighbouring fibres is what allows you to smooth out wrinkles with your hand, even though no heat is being applied. Manufacturers will sometimes scent their sprays too as a way of allowing you to refresh both the scent and the appearance of a particular garment.
Safety tips when learning to spray your clothes
If you use a crease spray for clothes, you should note that they can be very slippery if sprayed onto the floor. This is because of the smooth microscopic qualities of the silicone that they contain. While this quality is what makes the spray effective when used to smooth wrinkles out of fabric, it is also what can make it hazardous when dropped on the floor.
For those who want to try a spray but are unsure about the finer details of using them, you may want to test the spray on an old shirt first. And if you are looking to smooth water-marked materials such as nylon and silk, using the spray on a small hidden area in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines could help you to feel comfortable using it more widely.
The cons of spraying your clothes
Although the process of smoothing fabric can be relatively quick because you don’t have to set up an ironing board and wait for an iron to heat up, you do have to wait for the garment to dry. Making sure that the sprayed area is dry to the touch can help to prevent rewrinkling.
Should you add a crease release spray?
This is a personal choice, and it’s important to note that these types of sprays are not designed to be direct replacements for your traditional irons. Think of them as an additional option when you need to freshen up a shirt or dress that you have already ironed. If this sounds like a helpful option, it may be something you wish to explore further.
FAQs
What is a crease spray for clothes?
Crease sprays combine water, silicone, and proprietary softening agents to help nearby fibres slip past one another. This allows you to lightly mist the fabric and then lay it flat and run your hands over it using only moderate pressure.
Is an anti-crease spray better than an iron?
Sprays are not direct replacements for irons, so picking one over the other misses the point of this new range of products. Instead, think of a spray as a way to remove light wrinkles from one or two garments when you don’t want to have to iron them from scratch.
Do you have to wait for the spray to dry?
Yes, manufacturers will typically display recommended drying times on the bottles and other associated packaging. If in doubt, start with a practice run on an old shirt and time how long it takes to dry.Â
Can a spray even replace an iron?
A spray augments your current ironing processes rather than directly replaces your iron. It’s an additional tool that you may find helpful when you want to refresh fabric that has become lightly wrinkled in storage after it has been ironed.
Can you create smart creases with a spray and your hands?
No, most definitely not. While a crease spray will help freshen up a shirt or blouse after it has been ironed and regained some light wrinkles, it cannot create the sharp creases needed for things like suit trousers. For this, continue to use your hand-held iron.
