Tips for Ironing While Traveling

Do you often find yourself needing to iron clothes while on the go? Whether you’re a frequent traveler, attending a business event, or simply trying to look your best for an important meeting or special occasion – proper clothing is essential. 

Although finding an iron and ironing board at your hotel can be daunting and sometimes impossible, there are still plenty of tips and tricks that can help you achieve crisp and wrinkle-free attire in virtually any setting. 

1. Invest in a good travel iron

The first step to ensuring that you have perfectly pressed clothes while traveling is to invest in a good travel iron. There are a few things to look for when choosing a travel iron, such as weight, steam capabilities, and cord length. You’ll also want to make sure that the iron you choose can be used with an international voltage converter if you’re traveling outside of your home country.

2. Pack a pressing cloth

A pressing cloth is a must-have when traveling with an iron. A pressing cloth is a piece of fabric that is placed between the iron and the clothing to protect the fabric from being damaged by the heat of the iron. You can purchase a pressing cloth at most fabric stores, or you can simply use an old pillowcase or handkerchief.

3. Use a shoehorn

If you’re going to be doing any ironing while traveling, be sure to pack a shoehorn. A shoehorn will help you get into those hard-to-reach places on your clothes, such as around the collar or down the front of your shirt.

4. Don’t forget the lint brush

Lint brushes are another essential tool for keeping your clothes looking their best while traveling. Lint brushes are used to remove lint, hair, and other debris from clothing. Be sure to pack a lint brush in your suitcase so that you can keep your clothes looking clean and neat throughout your trip.

electric iron and ironing board set keep in the corner of wooden furniture cupboard for housekeeping service job.

5. Invest in wrinkle-release spray

If you don’t have time to Iron all of your clothes before you leave for your trip, invest in wrinkle-release spray. Wrinkle-release spray is a fabric refresher that can be sprayed on clothing to remove wrinkles and freshen up the fabric. Simply spray the garment and hang it up to dry; no ironing required!

6. Hang garments immediately after wearing them

One of the best ways to prevent wrinkles from forming in your clothes while traveling is to hang them up immediately after wearing them. If you’re staying in a hotel room, make use of the hotel’s luggage rack or hangers to hang up your clothes as soon as you take them off. If you’re staying in a hostel or other type of lodging where there are no hangers available, simply drape your garments over a chair or lay them flat on the bed to prevent wrinkles from forming.

7. Roll, don’t fold

When packing your clothes for travel, be sure to roll them instead of folding them. Rolling your clothes will help prevent wrinkles from forming, and it will also save space in your suitcase. If you must fold some items of clothing, such as shirts or pants, be sure to place them inside out before folding them to further prevent wrinkles.

8. Bring an ironing board for travel

If you are going to be on a long trip with a lot of meetings that require you to look your best, then it might be worth investing on a portable ironing board. These ironing boards are usually foldable and take up minimal space in your suitcase, and can be later stored in the closet of your hotel room. 

Having one during your trip not only allows you to press your clothes and make them look crisp; it also helps you save time and money for professional ironing services that can be more expensive abroad.

Some hotels have built-in ironing boards in their suites (as part of their room facilities). You may want to inquire beforehand so you know if you need to bring an ironing board for your upcoming trip.

9. Make use of hotel services

If all else fails, many hotels also offer laundry services where they will professionally press your clothing for a fee. This isn’t ideal for every traveler since it can be expensive but if you really need to look sharp and don’t have access to an iron, this could be an option worth considering. Plus, having properly pressed clothes will keep them looking great longer.

10. Utilize residual heat

If you find yourself without an iron while traveling, don’t despair. You can still remove wrinkles from your clothes by hanging them in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam from the shower will help relax the fibers in your clothing and release any wrinkles that may have formed.

You may also use a hair dryer to help remove wrinkles especially from lightweight fabrics such as silk or linen. Just make sure to keep the dryer at least eight inches away from the fabric and move it around constantly so that all areas of the garment are evenly heated up. Once finished, hang up your item immediately so that any residual heat can help smooth out any stubborn wrinkles left behind by the hairdryer.  

Ironing clothes on ironing board

A hack before you leave home

The number one key to success when it comes to ironing while traveling is to make sure that your clothes are already pressed before you pack them. That way, all you have to do is touch up any wrinkles that may have developed during transit. 

To do this, use a good quality steam iron and high-temperature setting on fabrics like polyester and cotton. Be sure not to leave any creases or wrinkles in place as these can be difficult to remove once they’re set in place.

Conclusion

Whether it’s packing light or utilizing hotel amenities or even taking advantage of laundry services if needed – there are plenty of ways to keep your clothing wrinkle free while on vacation. Keep these tips in mind next time you plan a trip so that way no matter how far away from home you may be – you’ll always look polished and put together.

If you need to buy luggage for your next trip to keep your clothes safe and organized, you may read our Guide to Selecting Travel Luggage for some good recommendations.