3 ways to steam clothes without a steamer

Open shelving and closet system on left and back wall pictured. Very neat, tidy and uncluttered with wicker baskets along the top, matching wooden hangers and no overcrowding of neutral items on rails — (Image credit: Getty Images)

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1. Shower steam
2. Damp towel
3. Hair dryer

Steamers are great for dropping the creases out of clothes, but if you don't have one, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the benefits and ease of steam wrinkle-busting.

Our cleaning pro reveals three alternative methods to remove freshen up your clothes get them smartened up without a traditional steamer.

1. The shower method

shower room with pink tiles and gold shower head

Steam is the key mechanism that helps your crinkled laundry release back out for a smooth appearance. Karina Toner, operation manager for Spekless cleaning, says to harness the time you are in the shower.

She says, 'The hot steam from the shower mimics a steamer by relaxing the fibers of your clothing, making it easier to remove wrinkles. Avoid using this method for delicate fabrics that are sensitive to humidity.'

Here's how Karina advises you steam your clothes in the bathroom:

Hang your wrinkled clothes in the bathroom, close to the shower but not directly in the water.
Turn on the shower with hot water, close the bathroom door, and let the steam fill the room.
Leave the clothes for 10-15 minutes while the steam gently loosens the wrinkles.
Afterwards, ventilate well to avoid mold or mildew build up.

Along the same lines, you can also remove wrinkles from clothing with an ice cube.

2. A damp towel

The moisture from a damp towel will relax the fibers of your item, and applying light pressure over the top with helps smooth out wrinkles. This method works best on heavier fabrics like cotton or linen and will require a little bit of time afterwards for the damp area to dry.

Karina recommends these four steps for success:

Lay the wrinkled item on a flat surface.
Dampen a clean towel (make it moist, not soaking wet) and place it over the wrinkled areas.
Press down gently on the towel or pat the fabric to help release the wrinkles.
Hang the garment to dry afterward.

3. Hair dryer trick

A white hairdryer laying on a table beside a black brush

The heat from a hairdryer works similarly to a traditional steamer by loosening the fabric's fibers, allowing you to smooth out wrinkles quickly. However, be careful with delicate fabrics such as silk and lace by using a lower heat setting to avoid damaging or warping of the material.

Silk is notoriously heat-averse an is one of the materials you should never put in the dryer, so you may want to pick one of the other methods or stop and check regularly that the material isn't having an adverse reaction.

To drop the wrinkles out of your clothes using a hairdryer instead of a steam, Karina shares the three quick steps:

Hang your garment on a hanger, or place it on a flat surface.
Use a hairdryer on the hottest setting and hold it a few inches away from the fabric.
Move the dryer over the wrinkled areas until the wrinkles are gone.

Now you've conquered this clever trick, try these laundry organizing hacks to stay on top of your pile of laundry.

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Punteha was editor of Real Homes before joining Homes & Gardens. She has written and edited wellbeing, cooking, lifestyle, and consumer pieces for the national press for 17 years, working across print and digital newspapers and magazines. She’s a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter, former BBC Good Food columnist, and founding editor of independent magazine, Lacuna Voices. Punteha loves cooking, especially her family's Persian recipes and has tested and reviewed home appliances, including slow cookers, air fryers, the latest robot vacuums and video doorbells. Punteha is disabled and in chronic pain, so adaptively paced household tasks that make her household run smoothly are her focus.