These packable sprays keep your clothes crease-free when you travel.
There are lots of clothes that are recommended for travel because they don’t wrinkle. I own pants like this. But I also like to wear clothing made from cotton, linen, and silk—stuff that really can look like you slept in it when you pull it out of your suitcase. (Side note: Some of my friends have freed themselves from the tyranny of the iron. While I support their independence, I remain a slave to crispness.)
When traveling, I don’t want to spend time ironing an outfit. Thankfully there’s is a way to get rid of creases fast without dealing with an appliance.
Wrinkle-release sprays are formulated to relax a fabric’s fibers, allowing you to smooth out any creases. Some also help refresh fabrics and get rid of static, while others make dirty clothes smell freshly laundered.
There are dozens of wrinkle sprays on the market—some work; others, don’t. Here are my top five: four for travel and one for home.
Best for Dry-Clean Only: Downy Wrinkle-Releaser Plus
Best Eco-Friendly Option: The Laundress Crease Release Classic
Best Scent: Nellie’s All-Natural Wrinkle-B-Gone
Best for Men: Frey Wrinkle Releaser
Best Home Option: Magic Wrinkle Releaser
Best for Dry-Clean Only: Downy Wrinkle-Releaser Plus ($10/three bottles)
Ever the multitasker, this wrinkle-release spray by Downy also works as an odor eliminator, fabric refresher, and static cling remover. It leaves clothes feeling really soft and smelling like they’re fresh out of the laundry. The first time I used the spray was on a cotton hoodie that had been crammed into my carry-on. I spritzed the spray over the top and smoothed out the fabric with my hands; even the biggest creases came out right away.
While the spray worked wonders on every item of clothing I tested it on, it goes on very damp, which means your clothes will take a few minutes to fully dry. Bonus: It works on dry-clean-only fabrics, which means you can get a few more wears out of each piece before you have to take it to the cleaners, a plus when you are on the road.
Best Eco-Friendly Option: The Laundress Crease Release Classic ($14.40)
I’m a fan of The Laundress’s line of eco-friendly products. This cruelty-free spray is made with nontoxic, biodegradable, and allergen-free natural materials, so it shouldn’t irritate sensitive skin.
The spray worked on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, wool, and silk. It dried quickly and left each item looking fresh and crease-free. I like the spray’s scent, too; a mix of lily of the valley, jasmine, sweet musk, and sandalwood, with a touch of citrus. Bonus: you can use the spray to eliminate wrinkles from heavier home fabrics (think curtains and couch cushions).
Best Scent: Nellie’s All-Natural Wrinkle-B-Gone ($7)
Nellie’s is made from natural, plant-based ingredients. The spray worked quickly and effectively on a wide variety of clothing options, from lightweight cotton tees to heavier wool sweaters. And I like that it left my clothes with a light lemongrass scent.
Best for Men: Frey Wrinkle Releaser ($19/two bottles)
FREY makes clothing care products aimed at men. The brand’s wrinkle-release spray removed creases quickly from all the items I tested it on, working particularly well on cotton. The spray has a nice musk smell to it, with notes of cedarwood, oakmoss, and amber that remind me of a decent men’s cologne.
It comes in a two-ounce size that’s easy to store in your Dopp kit or toiletry bag. Don’t be put off by the small size; you’ll get 325 sprays out of each bottle. Bonus: The company donates 10 percent of net profits to its Wash for Wash program that helps clean the clothing of people in need.
Best Home Option: Magic Wrinkle Releaser ($27/four bottles)
Just like hairspray, this wrinkle-releaser from Magic comes in a 10-ounce aerosol can. When you first spray it on, your clothes will be very damp. Seconds later, though, they’ll be dry and wrinkle-free. It is by far the fastest spray I tested; I wish it came in travel size!
Twist’s Take: Pack one of these wrinkle-release sprays on your next trip to look crease-free.
