Wrinkled shirts that seem permanently creased in ways I don't want

June 14, 2017 10:32 AM

For whatever reason, some of the shirts I wear seem to develop permanent creases, particularly around the collar and the placket area. How can I get it such that it stays flat, or at least doesn't show the creases after I iron them?

The shirts are all cotton, or at least a cotton blend. I really dislike the accordion-ing that happens, both around the button area and the collar. I don't even mind ironing, but that doesn't even seen to fully address the issue. It still looks like the creases are there, just flattened, even after I try with a lot of steam to remove them. I've tried some of the 'tricks' I seen online like vinegar, using a cloth, and nothing really seems to work. I've even sent them to my local dry cleaner to have them pressed, but it doesn't really seem to help. Is there any way to fight this? I don't even put them through the dryer any more, just have them air dry, to try and avoid the wrinkle/crease issue, and while that helps a little, it feels like it doesn't fully solve it.

posted by Carillon to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

I think that if you have a hem wrinkle that won't disappear with hot, heavy ironing, then the cause is likely that the hem/collar/placket weren't cut straight on the grain of the fabric so that when it's washed and dried they permanently warp. I have found this to be true of my cheaper tops that are made with thinner cotton.

When you buy a brand new shirt, you can try to prevent this by drying it at a cooler temperature and hanging it up while it's still slightly damp. I think the problem is that once the wrinkles are set, they are going to be very difficult to remove. You could try this method which involves a hot iron, heavy pressure, fiber stretch, and starch.
posted by muddgirl at 10:59 AM on June 14, 2017 [6 favorites]

I agree the fabric is probably off grain and will always be difficult. If you iron them after each washing and iron a lot in general, you can invest in a clapper, a pine doohickey sewers use. You use a lot of steam and the hottest heat the fabric will take, and the second you pick up the iron, forcefully clap the area with the clapper and hold for a few seconds. Let the fabric cool before moving it at all. It forces the steam back into the fabric and does a great job of setting the crease or in your case, the flattened area. Clappers have to be bought online, most fabric stores don't carry them any more. They cost betewwn $15-30 depending on the kind you get. They are an invaluable tool.
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 1:20 PM on June 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

I had a similar question a few years ago.
posted by DrGail at 3:22 PM on June 14, 2017

I work at a movie wardrobe rental studio with 10,000 sq feet of clothing from thr 1890s-1990s, and I agree with mudgirl. And RichardHenryYarbo. But I would recommend using a ham to press after a more gentle wash and hang dry, after shaping the seams and placket while it is damp - sometimes the fabric and the thread shrink at different rates. Let it cool before moving

Also, consider buying vintage? Because, and I mean this in a nice way, contemporary shirts manufactured to be retailed in that range can't be expected to behave better. Go back even 15 years and there is a difference in standards. Go back 2O and you'll see shirts that still look good after 20 years. My husband has a collection of about 20 Aloha/Hawaiian shirts from the 50s/69s purchased over our 17 years together and they all still look crisp and new.
posted by peagood at 6:27 PM on June 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Did Jenna Brown's advice work DrGail? Thanks all for the advice so far. Also peagood, it's a problem I'm having even with more expensive shirts I bought at Bailey's in Honolulu that's Rayon and very lightly washed, usually sent out, that was more an example of a shirt I can find online (that I own).
posted by Carillon at 7:14 PM on June 14, 2017

I wish I could answer your question, OP. Truth be known, I went as far as to purchase the spray starch but then my enthusiasm ran out. But it seemed like it would work.

Oh, and rayon is a different issue. I would treat it more like linen: either iron it while it's still damp or have a spray bottle handy to really soak the wrinkles so the iron can dry the shirt and press it simultaneously. Especially if you use this method with brand new shirts, you should be able to train them pretty quickly. With shirts that have well-established consistent wrinkles, it's possible that the shirt has faded and/or weakened at the point of the wrinkle. Then there's probably not much that will work.
posted by DrGail at 7:47 PM on June 14, 2017

Your best bet for removing the existing creases is heavy steam. Wet a washcloth or thin towel -- it shouldn't be dripping, but more than damp. Place it over a creased area and hold the iron (on highest heat setting) over it and press. You might have to do it a few times, rewetting the cloth each time. This will create lots of steam, much more than your iron alone can supply. I used to do this on hems when forced to lengthen my school uniform skirts. If this technique doesn't work, I doubt anything else will.
posted by wryly at 8:04 PM on June 14, 2017