It is the same every morning. When you wear your perfectly tight shirt, every step of your morning routine, from serving coffee to wearing shoes, can make your shirt wrinkle. And it will make you wonder if there is a solution so you never have to worry about creasing or ironing. Back in the 1950s, the textile industry began to address this issue. And he has developed various techniques to create shirts that do not need to be ironed. But by what magic?
Which fabric does not wrinkle?
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, rayon, polyamide or even acrylic are considered to be the most practical ways to save precious minutes.
Lyocell or modal are also the latest alternatives to cotton. Made of wood core, it is known that they are less foldable.
To avoid repetitive ironing, some materials should be avoided. This is a case of viscose or linen, which can be folded in almost every movement.
Cotton swabs also reduce ironing. In addition to being worn all year round, this material is very resistant to wrinkles.
Where to Find Non-Iron Shirts
Today, the market of non-ferrous shirts is divided into two categories. There are “light iron shirts” (also known as: easy iron) և “shirts without wrinkles”.
In order to distinguish them, in addition to their name, which may seem understandable, some details must be taken into account. Often referred to as technology jewelry, non-ferrous textiles are actually older than you might think. It was in the 1950s that Brooks Brothers, a reference for American shirts, partnered with the DuPont Industrial Group. Together they developed the first cotton-polyester shirts, which did not require ironing.
Today the offer has expanded significantly, there are many models in the և category, most often with 100% cotton. And this, at all prices. from basic level (Uniqlo) to professionals (Figaret) to luxury homes like Zegna.
However, wrinkle-free shirts are not perfect. Manufacturers use formaldehyde-based chemicals because cotton is used to counteract wrinkles and give it a rough appearance (sometimes too much). A contradictory component was mentioned. It is said to be responsible for serious diseases such as cancer of the nose, such as skin irritation or nausea. If used in very low doses և its use is regulated, since 2004 formaldehyde has been classified by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as “in proven carcinogens«.
Today, some manufacturers (especially in luxury) use ammonia or water-based formulas that are lighter and less risky than formaldehyde. This option is especially suitable for “easy-ironing” shirts, silicone-coated models, which help the iron to slide on the fabric.
Eventually, you will be able to see if the fabric is easily wrinkled or not to make sure of the quality and make the wrong choice. First check the cover labels. In general, natural materials such as cotton, linen, or semi-synthetic materials such as viscose are more likely to cause wrinkles. You can also just crumple the fabric in your hand to see if it stays flat.
How to avoid a wrinkled shirt?
One of the best tricks to avoid wrinkling your shirts is to play right outside the washing machine. Be careful not to hang your laundry properly. Hang your clothes on a long, flat hanger. Shake the shirt until it looks acceptable, almost wearable. This method can not only help maintain the quality of the fibers, but also limit the ironing time.
Source: Le Figaro
