Cotton offers an inexpensive and durable option for clothing, but cotton garments also tend to wrinkle easily without proper care. Following a few extra steps during the washing process keep cotton clothes relatively wrinkle-free without much additional work. The exact care routine you choose depends partially on the type of cotton garment. While most people won’t starch and iron a cotton T-shirt for casual wear, a cotton dress shirt might warrant a more extensive wrinkle-reducing routine.
Step 1
Wash the cotton clothing according to the label instructions to avoid any damage to the clothing. Move the clothes to the dryer or hang them up to dry immediately when the wash cycle ends. Allowing the clothing to stay in the washer increases the amount of wrinkles in the fabric.
Step 2
Dry the cotton garments on the heat setting recommended on the label. Care instructions vary from one cotton piece to another, so read the label on each piece. Remove the clothing from the dryer as soon as the cycle ends.
Step 3
Toss line-dried cotton clothes in the dryer with a damp towel for about 10 minutes to soften the fabric and release any wrinkles. Another option is to pull the clothes off the clothesline when they are still slightly damp to put them in the dryer.
Step 4
Iron the garments if you want a crisp finish. Turn the clothing inside out and iron while slightly damp for the best results. Using a spray starch as you iron helps stiffen the fabric to reduce the chance of wrinkles.
Step 5
Hang the cotton clothes on hangers immediately after ironing or removing them from the dryer. Fold the clothes neatly if hanging space isn’t available.
Step 6
Hang the clothing on a closet rod or place folded clothing loosely in a dresser drawer. Avoid cramming the closet or drawers full of clothing, as this increases the chance of wrinkles.
