How to Iron Permanent Wrinkles Out of Jeans

Stubborn creases can make ironing wrinkled jeans challenging. These permanent creases can form when jeans don't fit properly and bunch up or when they are left bundled up in the hamper, dryer or closet. Whatever the cause, you can remove these wrinkles with a few simple methods.

The first step should always be to wash and dry regardless of how you choose to smooth out jeans with permanent creases. This initial step is because the steam created from the wet clothes in the dryer will encourage the fabric to loosen, releasing the wrinkles. When ironing does not seem to remove the permanent creases from wrinkled jeans, loosening them first will make ironing them easier.

If you are low on time and unable to run the jeans through a wash cycle, bypass the washer and place the jeans directly in the dryer. To create the steam needed to loosen the permanent creases, add a damp towel or washcloth to the dryer with the jeans.

Set the dryer to the usual dry cycle if the jeans are wet. If the jeans are dry, set the dryer to a high setting and run it for five to 10 minutes. Once the cycle finishes, remove the wrinkled jeans from the dryer immediately and hang them flat on a hanger or they will begin to wrinkle again.

If some stubborn creases remain after the dry cycle, lay the jeans flat on an ironing board. Using a spray bottle of distilled water, spritz each crease you wish to iron. This water will help create steam that will loosen the crease as you iron. Distilled water has the added benefit of cutting down on mineral buildup on the jeans.

Proceed with ironing as usual, applying pressure to the stubborn wrinkles until they smooth. Remember to avoid leaving the iron in one spot for too long. If simple ironing does not do the trick, use a soap bar to help remove the wrinkles. Turn the wrinkled jeans inside out and rub the bar of soap over the backside of the creases. Then, turn the jeans right side out and iron the jeans normally.

If you don't currently have a soap bar on hand, try using white vinegar instead. Add a little white vinegar to a clean cloth, rub it over each stubborn wrinkle and then iron normally. Once you have smoothed out the wrinkles, rewash the jeans to rid them of the vinegar smell.

Wrinkle-remover sprays are formulated to remove wrinkles without the need for an iron or heat. Dampen the creases with the wrinkle remover but be careful not to overdo it and saturate the jeans. Then, tug and smooth the wrinkled jeans by hand and hang them to dry. As the jeans dry, the wrinkles should smooth out.

You can make your own wrinkle-remover spray with 1 cup of distilled water, 1 teaspoon of liquid fabric softener and 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Shake to combine them in a spray bottle and spray the affected area. You can substitute distilled water with cooled boiled water. If you don't have fabric softener, create a different wrinkle-remover spray with one part white vinegar and three parts water.