Wrinkles are overwhelming — at least for me. As someone who owns about 15 button-down shirts and several silk blouses, it can be time-consuming to steam or iron my clothes. Eventually, I end up choosing an entirely different outfit due to the lack of time I have to remove the creases from my clothing.
Wrinkle-release sprays can minimize the effort and time it takes to iron clothes, and they're great alternatives to smoothing out hard creases. For weeks, I tested various wrinkle-release sprays to determine which one is the best.
But how do they actually work?
According to the director of scientific communications at Procter & Gamble, Jennifer Ahoni, wrinkle-release sprays contain "fiber-relaxing and softening agents that, when sprayed on clothes, soften and relax the fibers to help smooth out the wrinkles when you use your hand to tug and smooth the fabric."
To determine the efficacy of wrinkle-release sprays, I chose 10 popular sprays and gave my steamer a rest. Here are the ones that won and provided the best results for our Shop TODAY Ranked series.
Do wrinkle-release sprays really work?
According to fabric care laundry specialist at Procter & Gamble, Sammy Wang, wrinkle-release sprays "work by incorporating all of the important components of wrinkle removal into one product: wrinkle relaxing agents, physical wrinkle removal and smoothing ingredients."
First, it's important to spray the product evenly onto the wrinkled item so the moisture and fabric relaxers help to release wrinkles. "Second, by physically smoothing and tugging the item flat with your hands, the fabric is in the proper configuration to avoid further wrinkling. Lastly, fabric smoothers help keep the fabric smooth as it dries," adds Wang.
"Since consumers typically use these types of products when refreshing an outfit right before wear, they also typically contain odor-fighting technology and fragrance to help with freshness," shares Ahoni.
What features to consider for a wrinkle-release spray
Wang recommends looking at these three features before choosing a wrinkle-release spray.
- Safe on many fabrics: "Look for products that say they can be used on most fabrics. Because most wrinkle-release sprays will have a water base, there will always be some fabrics you should take more care with to avoid spotting (for example, before using on dry clean only silk, first test a wrinkle-release spray on a hidden area of the fabrics to make sure it doesn’t water spot)."
- Packaging: Look for a package that has features that work with your lifestyle. "For example, trigger spray bottles are easy to use and give you control over where the spray mist goes and may be easier to dispose of or recycle than aerosol cans. Spray bottles packaged as 'travel-sized' will also make bringing your wrinkle-release spray on the plane easier."
- Freshness: "If you’re looking to refresh your items with your wrinkle-release spray, many versions have added scent to refresh fabrics while also making them smooth and ready to wear." Some products have odor-fighting agents to help fight lingering mustiness and not just cover it up.
Overall best wrinkle-release spray
Freshness: 5/5 | Packaging: 4/5 | Fabric compatibility: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.6/5
I was skeptical about the efficacy of wrinkle-release sprays until I tried Cold Iron's formula. Though it comes in a big bottle, this one can replace the use of iron and steamers. It has become my favorite ironing alternative when juggling many tasks around my home, since it's gentle on the fabric and reduces wrinkles in minutes.
However, the fabric gets very wet with this formula, so it takes about 30 minutes to dry fully. The liquid is unscented, so if you're looking for an after-scent, this isn't it. When it comes to creases, this is the best I've tried so far. Also, I tried this formula on my linen blazer and I was impressed by how well it removed the lines on the edges and extra wrinkles. While this works best with natural fabrics, the spray can be used on denim or other hard-to-reach wrinkles, such as silk.
I have already used it for two weeks and am surprised how much liquid it has left. The spray is easy to use and releases enough liquid on the fabric, without leaking around the nozzle. It leaves an iron appearance without the need to add heat to the material you're spraying.
Update: I've used this product specifically on button-down shirts, and the results continue to impress me. Whenever I have time in the morning to wait for my garments to dry, I spray them thoroughly across the fabric and it removes the crease effectively.
Other wrinkle-release sprays, tested by the author
Best for cotton:
Freshness: 4/5 | Packaging: 5/5 | Fabric compatibility: 3/5 | Overall score: 4/5
Faultless is a great option if you need quick-dry results. While it's not easy to pack on a trip, this is a great solution for removing wrinkles from silk fabrics and button-down shirts. Plus, it adds a fresh laundry scent when sprayed across the garment.
The aerosol is very helpful as you barely have to push through to wet the fabric. As someone who hates wrinkles, I do spray a generous amount, so I have to wait longer for the fabric to dry. However, it does dry faster than most formulas. The bottle also features a refreshing scent that helps remove odors and other lingering smells.
I've used this bottle on silk and cotton fabrics, but it doesn't work as well on denim. Overall, this is a great choice if you want to mask the smell or perfume of a fabric while smoothing out the creases.
Update: After two months of consistently using this spray, the bottle emptied. This formula was my favorite for eliminating odors on clothes I wanted to reuse or repeat the next day.
Best for odor:
Freshness: 4/5 | Packaging: 5/5 | Fabric compatibility: 3/5 | Overall score: 4/5
Faultless has another formula that eliminates odors and removes wrinkles. Plus, it will save you a quick trip to the laundry room. I like to use this to freshen up my clothes, and it's ideal if you need a light de-wrinkle solution.
The scent is pleasant and not overpowering, plus it doesn't stain my clothes. It smells like fresh laundry, which adds a pleasant experience to the cleaning process. I've used it on cotton, polyester and silk, but it works better with natural fabrics like previous formulas.
If you overspray the garment, the floor gets a bit slippery and you have to clean afterwards. So, I would suggest using this to freshen up clothes and lessen soft wrinkles. However, if you have tougher wrinkles to remove, I recommend you spray the area more. Overall, this spray eliminates the hassle of adding water to the steamer and waiting for the clothes to de-wrinkle.
Update: This bottle is at its last drop after using it all summer. The formula is effective at masking some body odor on clothes, but it works better on natural fabrics. I would avoid using this formula on silky fabrics, especially on clothes with a label that says 'dry clean only,' as it can stain the fabric temporarily.
Best for traveling:
Freshness: 5/5 | Packaging: 3/5 | Fabric compatibility: 3/5 | Overall score: 3.6/5
This wrinkle remover is my favorite to carry on my travel bag or purse because it is small and TSA-friendly. While this isn't the most effective at removing tough wrinkles, the spray refreshes fabric and quickly solves the discomfort of ironing.
It also removes stubborn spots caused by stains or other incidents. I used this formula on my silk button-down shirts and it worked miracles. However, you need to overspray the fabric so it works effectively. Since the formula comes in a smaller bottle, you need to push continuously, so it covers a good amount of the garment.
Overall, the formula is efficient at spot removal and wrinkle release, but it doesn't last a long time.
Update: This has been my least-used formula due to the bottle size. However, I bring it with me to work or on trips when I know I will need to de-wrinkle my clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Ahoni recommends using sweeping motions across the fabric until dampen and then smooth and tug with your hand. Below, Wang explains in more detail how to take advantage of wrinkle-release spray.
- Spray: '"Spray the product in even, sweeping motions onto dry fabrics until they are slightly damp."
- Tug and smooth: Using clean hands, gently tug and smooth the damp fabric until it’s in the desired state. "This is an important step — while the wrinkle-release spray ingredients can help a lot with wrinkles, if you really want smooth-looking fabrics, it will take some physical smoothing as well."
- Hang or lay flat "Hang on a hanger or lay the item flat so that it dries smooth and you avoid creating any more wrinkles."
"While most wrinkle-release sprays are intended to replace the need for ironing and serve as a more convenient way to release wrinkles, you can still use irons or steamers after using a wrinkle-release spray," shares Wang.
Wang emphasizes to watch out for potential yellowing on white fabrics that could happen when the high heat from the iron reacts with the ingredients in the wrinkle-release spray.
"If you want a product that is made specifically for ironing, look for a spray starch or other products labeled as ironing sprays."
How we tested the wrinkle-release sprays
I, Jannely Espinal, tested 10 wrinkle-release sprays on different fabrics, including linen, cotton and silk, to determine the efficiency of the products. I waited 30 minutes for each fabric to dry and compared each garment with the others to determine the wrinkle removal. Does it leave any residue on clothes? Can it be used on delicate fabrics?
- Freshness: I smelled the fabric after spraying the formula on each garment and evaluated the scent on how overpowering or mild it was.
- Packaging: I evaluated the nozzle of each spray. How well did it spray? Did the bottle leak? Did it require many sprays?
- Fabric compatibility: Did the spray work on all types of fabrics? How fast did the garment take to dry?
Why trust Shop TODAY
Jannely Espinal has been a fashion and lifestyle journalist for the past seven years. Her first Ranked story contributed to Shop TODAY’s ranking process and criteria. She’s familiar with product sourcing, selection and testing, especially when it comes to the latest trends in home, style and beauty. Additionally, Espinal combines her testing process with experts’ insight to select the best products for Shop TODAY’s audience.
Meet the experts
- Sammy Wang is a fabric care laundry specialist at Procter & Gamble.
- Jennifer Ahoni is the director of scientific communications at Procter & Gamble.
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