You might find the back of your favorite jacket is wrinkled after making it through the day with no spills. However, the label says “dry clean only“.

If it’s just a matter of a couple wrinkles with no spillage, you may not have to go to the dry cleaners’. Here’s what you need to know about ironing dry clean only clothing.

Can You Iron Dry Clean Only Clothes?

Yes, you can iron dry clean only clothes. Professional cleaners remove wrinkles in addition to removing body stains.

To iron dry clean only clothes, you’ll first need to you’ll need to check that it’s stain-free and check the fiber content on the care label to make sure you use the correct setting on the iron. A steam iron works best to remove wrinkles for most fabric types by allowing steam to escape from the iron and penetrate the fibers.

Consider taking sequined or embellished garments to a professional before attempting to iron them at home unless you are experienced in clothing care.

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How to Iron Dry Clean Only Clothing

1. Get a pressing cloth, water, and a hanger. A pressing cloth is a piece of fabric used as a protective shield between the face of the iron and clothing to prevent shiny marks. Keep a spray bottle of water handy for adding moisture to the clothing to relax wrinkles and a sturdy hanger for your freshly pressed garment.
2. Turn the clothes inside out. Turn garments inside out to prevent accidental marks from the iron as you remove the most severe wrinkles. This is particularly important for dark colors, silk, rayon, linen, and acetate. For velvet, corduroy, and textured fabrics, ironing on the wrong side will prevent crushing the fibers. You can turn the clothes right side out for final touch-ups.
3. Cover with pressing cloth and iron. Lay the pressing cloth over the wrinkled areas. Run the steam iron over the pressing cloth, moving the cloth as needed to iron the entire garment. For fabrics like wool or heavily wrinkled areas, add a bit more moisture to the clothing by misting it with a spray bottle filled with distilled water.
4. Hang the clothing. Immediately after ironing, hang the garment from a sturdy hanger so it will dry completely. Do not fold or hang the item in a closet while it is still damp. If the item is made from a stretchy knit fabric, lay it flat on a bed or ventilated drying rack to finish drying, as hanging the item can stretch the fibers.

Use a Clothes Steamer to Remove Wrinkles From Dry-Clean-Only Clothing

Unless you are looking for sharp creases on slacks or crisp pleats on a shirt or skirt, a clothes steamer is an excellent tool for removing wrinkles from dry clean only clothing. The steam will relax the clothing fibers so the wrinkles will fall out. Always clean your steamer before steaming delicate clothing to prevent minerals in the steamer’s water from causing stains.

Whether you use a small, travel-sized steamer or a larger floor model, read the directions carefully and hang the garment on a sturdy hanger. Run the steamer from the top of the clothing to the bottom, keeping the nozzle away from the fabric’s surface to prevent overheating. Allow the clothing item to dry completely before wearing or storing it.

Tips to Remove Wrinkles From Dry-Clean Only Clothing Without Ironing

Some fabrics, like wool and cashmere, don’t do well when exposed to the high heat of an iron. Instead, try other methods:

• Spray wool or cashmere lightly with water: Sometimes, it takes a sprinkle of water and gently smoothing the wrinkles with your hand. Allow it to air dry. Repeat if necessary.
• Hang clothes in a steamy bathroom: Hang any wrinkled clothing item on the shower rod at the farthest end from the showerhead and run a hot shower. Let it hang in the steam for 20 minutes.
• Use wrinkle-release sprays: Try a commercial wrinkle-release spray like Dryel or Downy Wrinkle-Releaser Plus when water doesn’t cut it.
• Steam-clean: Send clothes to professional steam-cleaner.

How to Store Dry-Clean Only Clothing

Store dry-clean-only clothing in a dark, temperature-controlled space. UV rays can damage fabrics.

• Pack clothes in containers: Use acid-free tissue paper and plastic containers. Don’t pack tightly; leave a little breathing room.
• Hang on padded or wooden hangers: If the material is not prone to stretching, use special hangers.
• Opt for cotton garment bags: Cotton breathes while plastic suffocates.
• Do not cram clothes too close together: Give clothing breathing space.
• Refrain from packing in cardboard boxes: Insects like cardboard.
• Choose cedar: Line your closet in cedar, create sachets of cedar shavings, or use cedar blocks to keep bugs away from your clothes.