Nothing is more frustrating than pulling freshly washed clothes out of the washing machine only to find them full of wrinkles. For many, this means spending unnecessary time ironing or worse, wearing wrinkled clothes. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that can prevent this common laundry issue and save you both time and energy.
Why Clothes Get Wrinkled in the Wash
Wrinkling during washing often happens due to a combination of factors. Overloading the washing machine, using the wrong cycle, or leaving clothes sitting in the drum for too long after the wash ends can all contribute to creases and folds. Fabrics twist and bunch together during spinning, causing them to dry in crumpled positions. The good news is that a few adjustments to your routine can drastically reduce how wrinkled your laundry turns out.
The Simple Towel Trick That Works Wonders
One of the most effective (and surprisingly simple) methods for reducing wrinkles is adding a clean, dry towel to your wash or drying cycle. Here’s how it works:
- During the Drying Process: When you move your clothes from the washer to the dryer, toss in a clean, dry towel along with them. The towel absorbs excess moisture and helps reduce friction between clothing items, which minimizes wrinkling.
- In the Washer (Spin Cycle): If you’re air drying clothes, you can also use a dry towel in the final spin cycle. This helps to better distribute moisture and prevents garments from clinging to one another.
- This small addition can make a big difference, especially for items made of cotton, linen, or other wrinkle-prone materials.
Other Helpful Laundry Tips to Prevent Wrinkles
Along with the towel trick, here are a few other strategies that help minimize wrinkles:
- Avoid Overloading the Machine: Clothes need space to move freely. When the washer is too full, garments get compressed and wrinkle more easily.
- Use the Right Cycle: Choose a gentler wash cycle with lower spin speeds for delicate fabrics. Higher spins can twist and wrinkle sensitive materials.
- Remove Clothes Immediately: Don’t let wet clothes sit in the washer. As soon as the cycle ends, take them out and shake them to loosen any early creases.
- Hang or Fold Right Away: When drying is complete—either from air drying or using a dryer—fold or hang clothes immediately to prevent wrinkles from setting in.
Use Dryer Balls or Ice Cubes: For machine drying, consider using dryer balls or tossing in a few ice cubes. As the dryer heats up, the ice turns to steam and helps reduce wrinkles naturally.
When Ironing Is Still Necessary
While these tricks can reduce wrinkles significantly, they may not completely eliminate the need to iron certain clothing items—especially formal wear. However, by reducing the severity of wrinkles, these methods can at least make ironing easier and faster.
Conclusion: Smarter Laundry for a Smoother Life
Doing laundry doesn’t have to be a hassle, and it certainly shouldn’t leave your clothes looking like they’ve been through a battle. With a few simple steps—like using a dry towel and being mindful of how you load and unload the machine—you can say goodbye to wrinkled clothes and the dreaded ironing board. Try these tricks the next time you do laundry, and enjoy clothes that look fresher with half the effort.
