The Best Wrinkle Release Sprays for Clothing
Wrinkle release sprays are used as an alternative to an iron or steamer to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in clothing. A wrinkle release spray is a great option when you are traveling or on the go, but still want to maintain a polished and professional appearance. Below I am sharing some of the best wrinkle release sprays on the market and how to use them effectively.
How Wrinkle Release Spray Works
Wrinkle release spray works best when sprayed on clothing while it is hanging or laying flat. Simply spray the fabric, then gently pull to coax out wrinkles with your hands. Allow the item to dry completely before wearing. For extra wrinkle releasing power, toss the dampened clothing item into the dryer for a few minutes before wearing (check care labels first!).
If you’re on the go and want to remove wrinkles from the outfit you’re already wearing (e.g. hip line wrinkles on your pencil skirt after sitting on a flight or car ride), you can follow a similar process directly on your outfit.
Wrinkle release sprays are also great for removing static cling from fabrics. Simply spray a little on the inside of your clothing item before wearing.
The Best Wrinkle Release Sprays
Best Classic Formula: Downy
I used this product a LOT throughout my college years and while traveling in my early 20’s. I must admit, it worked extremely well. This spray was clutch when it came to smoothing wrinkles on my work clothes/interview attire back when I didn’t have the storage space in my apartment for a proper iron and ironing board.
With that said, this product does have a very strong smell. Some people like the familiar “laundry” scent, others claim it gives them a headache. When I was young, I liked that this product helped stretch the amount of time that passed between dry-cleaning drop-offs (this product is safe to use on dry clean only items) but today I might opt for a more natural, scent-free option.
Best Natural Scent: Real Simple
If you like the idea of a scented wrinkle release spray, but would rather opt for something more subtle and natural, Real Simple offers some nice alternatives. These formulas are scented with essential oils and do not contain any caustics, dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, chlorine, formaldehyde, triclosan, or phosphates.
The Real Simple Clean Line is sold in a pack of three so you can choose between two natural scents (citrus or lavender) or a third completely scent-free option depending on your mood (or how many times you have already worn the wrinkled item…).
Best Unscented: Cold Iron Unscented
If scented products aren’t really your thing, Cold Iron wrinkle releaser is a great option. This spray is made with plant-based fabric relaxers and is completely scent-free.
This product can also be used as an alternative to spray starch if you are still addicted to that perfectly pressed look only an iron can give. With that said, you really only need to spray this on, use your hands to help smooth wrinkles, then hang your item to dry before wearing.
Best Packaging: Frey Revolutionary
If sleek branding is important to you, Frey is a great travel-sized option. It’s branding is primarily male-focused but I think it would look just as sleek in a handbag as it would in your boyfriend/husband’s dopp kit.
This product is formulated without any sulfates, parabens, synthetic dyes, or animal testing. Plus, they plant a tree for every order placed through a trees.org partnership.
Best All-Natural: Grove Collaborative
Grove does a good job with being transparent about the ingredients in their products. Their wrinkle release spray is formulated using plant-derived ingredients that reduce static and smooth creases in clothing.
I personally love that the bottle is made from 80% post-consumer recycled material. Additionally, Grove carbon offsets each shipment. That means they purchase credits to fund projects that reduce pollution such as wind farms, solar installations, or energy efficiency retrofits in order to counteract shipping emissions. Very cool!
Buy via Grove Collaborative, $5
Make Your Own Wrinkle Release Spray
Because product manufacturers are not required to disclose all ingredients in wrinkle release spray formulas, it is difficult to be 100% certain that the formula you use on your clothing is completely toxin-free.
Luckily, it’s easy to make your own all-natural wrinkle release spray.
Ingredients:
- 1 Part distilled water (or filtered water if that’s all you have on hand)
- 1 Part distilled white vinegar
- Essential oil (lavender essential oil is my preference for laundry)
- Small spray bottle
Instructions:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small spray bottle (start with 6 drops of essential oil and add slowly until you reach a level of scent you’re comfortable with)
- Shake well, then spray on wrinkled clothing fabric
- Gently pull at the wrinkles after you spray the fabric to help them release
- NOTE: This process works best when your item is either hanging up or laying flat
- Allow your garment to dry completely before wearing
