How to Get Wrinkles Out of Polyester

The easiest way to get wrinkles out of polyester is steam. Hang the garment, pass a steamer over it from top to bottom, and the creases relax in a minute or two. If you would rather press, use a low heat setting, turn the piece inside out and put a pressing cloth between the fabric and the plate, because polyester can melt or turn shiny under a hot iron.

Why polyester needs a gentle approach

Polyester is a synthetic fiber, which means it is made from a type of plastic. That is why it resists wrinkles and dries quickly, and also why it does not like high heat. A hot iron pressed straight onto polyester can leave a shiny patch, flatten the texture or, at worst, melt the fibers onto the soleplate.

Steam is a different kind of heat. It warms and relaxes the fibers without hard pressure, so the creases fall out while the fabric keeps its drape. For blouses, dresses, skirts and lined jackets made of polyester, steaming is usually the safest and quickest option. If you want to compare the two tools in more detail, our guide to steamer vs. iron walks through when each one makes sense.

Before you start: check the care label

• Look for the iron symbol. An iron with one dot means low heat, which is typical for polyester and other synthetics. An iron with a cross through it means do not iron at all; in that case stick to steam from a distance, or follow any other instructions on the label.
• Check the fiber mix. Many garments are blends, such as polyester and cotton or polyester and rayon. The gentlest fiber in the mix decides how much heat you use.
• Test on an inside seam. Steam or press a small hidden area first, let it cool and look for shine, puckering or any change in texture.

How to get wrinkles out of polyester with a steamer

This works for most polyester tops, dresses, skirts and trousers.

1. Fill the steamer. Use distilled or filtered water to keep mineral residue out of the steam.
2. Hang the garment. Put it on a sturdy hanger and do up the top button or zip so it hangs straight.
3. Choose a low setting. On the RosyIron SteamerPro, press the button until the LED display shows the setting that matches your label: Chemical fiber or Nylon for synthetics. If you are unsure and the label says cool iron, choose Silk, the gentlest setting. It is ready in about 15 seconds.
4. Work from top to bottom. Start at the shoulders and move down in slow, steady strokes. Hold the hem lightly with your free hand to keep a little tension in the fabric.
5. Keep the steamer moving. Hold it just off the surface and never leave it parked in one spot. Several short passes are better than one long one.
6. Finish the details. Steam collars, cuffs and plackets from the inside where you can. For lined pieces, steam the lining too, since a creased lining can push wrinkles through to the outside.
7. Let it hang. Leave the garment on its hanger for a few minutes to cool and dry before you wear it or put it away.

Can I steam iron polyester?

Yes, as long as you keep the heat low and protect the surface. Pressing is useful for things steam alone does not always fix: a sharp crease in trousers, a collar that needs to sit flat or a deep fold line from a suitcase.

1. Turn the garment inside out. Any shine from pressing then ends up on the side nobody sees.
2. Use a pressing cloth. A thin cotton cloth, such as a clean pillowcase or tea towel, between the plate and the fabric spreads the heat and protects the surface.
3. Pick a low setting. Use the setting that matches your care label, the same as for steaming. Never go up to Cotton, Linen or Dry hot for polyester.
4. Glide, do not push. Keep the plate moving with light pressure. Leaving it in one place is how shiny marks happen.

A 2-in-1 tool makes this easy. Turn the SteamerPro flat and its ceramic plate presses on any table, no ironing board needed, then turn it upright again to steam the rest of the garment on the hanger.

Polyester blends

Blends are common, and the rule is simple: treat the garment like its most delicate fiber.

Fabric	What to do
100% polyester	Steam on the hanger on a low setting; press inside out with a pressing cloth if needed
Polyester and cotton	Steam as above; for a crisper finish, press inside out on a low setting with a pressing cloth
Polyester and rayon or viscose	Steam gently from a short distance; press only lightly, inside out, with a cloth
Polyester satin or chiffon	Steam only, from a little further back; skip pressing
Label says do not iron	Steam from a distance only, or follow the label

The dryer trick for light wrinkles

If you do not have a steamer to hand and the wrinkles are light, the dryer can help. Put the garment in with a damp (not dripping) washcloth or small towel and run it on a low or delicate heat setting for about 10 to 15 minutes. The moisture creates a little steam inside the drum that relaxes the creases. Take the garment out straight away and hang it up while it is still warm.

This only works for items whose label allows tumble drying, and it is best for light, all-over wrinkles rather than deep fold lines. For more no-iron methods, including the shower trick, see our guide on how to get wrinkles out without an iron.

How to prevent wrinkles in polyester

• Take it out of the dryer promptly. Polyester that cools in a heap in the drum sets in its wrinkles. Remove it as soon as the cycle ends.
• Use low heat. High dryer heat is hard on synthetics and can make creases more stubborn.
• Hang it up. Put blouses, dresses and trousers on hangers while they are still slightly warm and smooth them with your hands.
• Give it space. A crowded closet presses new creases into clothes. Leave a little room on the rail.

FAQ

Can you steam polyester?

Yes. Steaming is usually the best way to remove wrinkles from polyester, because it relaxes the fibers without the direct, hard heat that can make the fabric shiny or melt it. Use a low setting and keep the steamer moving.

Why did my polyester get shiny after ironing?

The iron was probably too hot, or it was pressed directly onto the right side of the fabric. Next time, use a low setting, press inside out and use a pressing cloth. Shine from heat damage is often permanent, so it is worth testing on an inside seam first.

How do I remove wrinkles from polyester quickly before going out?

Hang the garment and steam it for a minute or two on a low setting, then let it cool for a few minutes. A handheld steamer that heats up quickly is the fastest option for a single outfit.

Polyester is easy to care for once you know it prefers steam to a hot plate. Check the label, keep the heat low and let steam do most of the work. If you want one tool that steams on the hanger and presses gently when a crease will not let go, the RosyIron SteamerPro 2-in-1 steamer and iron has dedicated settings for synthetics, fine dry steam and a ceramic plate you can use on any table. You can also find it with a travel case and lint remover in our bundles.